Invisalign® Clear Braces – Alhambra, CA

What is Invisalign®?

One of the biggest concerns patients have about traditional braces is the negative impact it may have on their sense of self-esteem. The prospect of having a “metal mouth” for months or even years can be very discouraging, especially for professional adults. Thankfully, Invisalign uses a series of clear, comfortable aligners instead that are very hard to notice when worn.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of alignment trays. The patient wears each aligner as directed (usually for a few weeks) before switching to the next one in the set. Over time, the teeth will move gradually to reflect each new aligner. In addition to the cosmetic benefits, these aligners can be temporarily removed from the mouth for important occasions. An overwhelming number of patients express complete satisfaction with both the treatment process and the beautiful results!

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What are the benefits of Invisalign®?

• Aesthetics – The Invisalign® aligners are made of a very clear plastic that blends in well with the natural enamel. Hardly anyone will even notice you’re wearing them at all!
• Removability – The aligners are 100% removable and should always be taken out when eating or practicing oral hygiene.
• Comfort – The smooth plastic of the aligners is very comfortable and doesn’t agitate the gum tissue.
• Better Oral Hygiene – There are no wires or metal brackets attached to the teeth, which means you can brush and floss like normal.

How long does Invisalign® treatment take?

Total treatment time averages 9-15 months but will vary from case to case. We want to see patients about once every 6 weeks to ensure that treatment is progressing as planned.

What corrections can you make with Invisalign®?

Invisalign® effectively corrects a wide variety of dental problems, including overcrowding, gaps between teeth, deep bites, crossbites, rotated teeth, and more.

Learn More About What Corrections Invisalign Can Make

Are there any age limitations for Invisalign®?

Invisalign® treatment can begin once a child has all of their permanent teeth in place. Adults can also use Invisalign® aligners as long as they aren’t struggling with advanced gum/periodontal disease. It is important to get that health problem under control first so that the jawbone is stable and won’t experience more damage from the aligners.

Living with Invisalign

Invisalign is well-known for being one of the most convenient, discreet, and hassle-free orthodontic treatments available. Of course, an adjustment period is still completely normal, especially for the first few days and weeks after getting your first set of aligners. Don’t worry – we’re here to help make navigating life with braces considerably easier. In addition to being available to answer questions over the phone or at your next appointment, we’ve dedicated an entire page to covering everything from eating and drinking to completing your oral hygiene regimen.

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Understanding the Cost of Invisalign

Since no two smiles are exactly alike, there isn’t a set price for Invisalign in Alhambra. Your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your orthodontic issues and whether you wear your aligners often enough. During your initial consultation with our dentist, they will be able to give you a better idea of how much your treatment will cost. We will also review all your payment options and discuss which dental insurance we accept to help make achieving your new smile as affordable as possible.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Invisalign

When calculating the cost of Invisalign in Alhambra, many factors can affect the final price. Some of those include:

• Whether you’re straightening one arch or both. This often depends on the extent and type of dental misalignment you have.
• The number of aligners you need. Logically speaking, straightening both the upper and lower teeth will cost more than straightening just one or the other.
• Your treatment compliance. You may have to pay more than expected if you lose an aligner or fail to stick to your treatment plan.
• Whether you need additional accessories. Depending on your case, you may need elastics or other accessories to ensure successful treatment.

 

Invisalign vs. SmileDirectClub™: Which Costs More?

Patients on a budget may be tempted to opt for do-it-yourself clear aligner therapy like SmileDirectClub™ to cut back on expenses. It typically costs around $2,000, while Invisalign can run anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000. Even though the lower price point is certainly attractive, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for.

DIY clear aligners like SmileDirectClub™ often come with little-to-no dental supervision. Because of that, plenty of things can go wrong, resulting in issues that will need to be addressed by a professional anyway. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the trusted oversight of our experienced team throughout your entire Invisalign journey. Plus, Invisalign clear aligners are made from a patented material designed for comfort and efficient tooth movements, which means you can enjoy a smoother, more successful treatment process!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer coverage for orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. If your policy applies, it can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses by $1,000 or more! Of course, every plan is unique which is why you should confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with this step if needed!

Also, we are offering $250 off full Invisalign treatment! Be sure to ask for more information.

What’s holding you back from getting a straighter smile? Give us a call today and schedule your consultation to meet with your Invisalign dentist in Alhambra!

Invisalign® Teen

Do you have a teen that has misaligned, crowded, or gapped teeth or bite problems? Our team at Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra offers a fast, discreet, and convenient alternative to metal braces, called Invisalign Teen. Not only can this treatment be a great tool in teaching your teen about responsibility, but it can also improve the appearance and health of their grin!

Learn More About Invisalign® Teen

Invisalign FAQs

It’s no surprise that you probably have a lot of questions regarding your upcoming Invisalign treatment. From timeline to comfortability to replacement aligners should you accidentally damage or lose one, it’s important that you receive the answers you need to feel confident about moving forward with your orthodontic treatment. To help you feel more at ease and comfortable with the process of receiving your new smile, Dr. Gashparova has compiled some frequently asked questions for you to review. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Is Invisalign painful?

Unlike traditional braces that require your orthodontist to forcibly tighten the metal wire that moves your teeth into position, Invisalign clear aligners require not adjusting. However, that doesn’t mean that when you swap out your trays for the next set in the series that you won’t feel some discomfort. In order for your teeth to properly align, they must shift. As you start to wear your new aligners, you may notice some soreness in the beginning. Fortunately, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help. Overall, treatment with Invisalign is far less painful than the alternative solutions. A helpful tip to consider is to switch to your new aligners at night. This will allow you to sleep and possibly avoid some of the discomfort as you adjust to your new trays.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners are extremely versatile at treating different problems, including overcrowding, spaces between teeth, and bite alignment issues. But that’s not the only positive aspect of this solution. In fact, Invisalign also:

• Offers greater flexibility when eating and drinking because you must remove your aligners to prevent damage
• Ensures faster results than traditional metal braces
• Improves appearances and boosts confidence levels
• Makes receiving orthodontic treatment less embarrassing as an adult because of their discreet, clear, transparent aligners
• Improves oral health by realigning your teeth and reducing wear and tear, chronic jaw pain, and the possibility of developing gum disease or tooth decay

How can I best take care of my aligners?

The easiest way to care for your aligners is with a toothbrush, clear soap, and lukewarm water. You can opt for the Invisalign Cleaning System if you prefer, but if you’d rather save your money, traditional methods work just fine. It is important that you remember never to use hot water since this can warp the plastic.

Also, when you are preparing to take your aligners out while eating or drinking, make sure to place them in a protective case so that they do not become damaged or lost.

What should I do if I lose an aligner?

Should you accidentally lose an aligner or damage your current one, make sure you keep your previous set. After alerting our office to the problem, it may be advisable for you to return to wearing your previous aligners until a new one can be created for you. Dr. Gashparova will need to determine if there will be a delay in treatment as a result, so always take extra care to protect your trays from damage or getting lost.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, it takes most patients about 12 to 18 months to complete Invisalign treatment. Although that may sound like a long time, it’s still four months shorter than the average treatment time with traditional metal braces. It’s worth noting that many factors contribute to the amount of time it takes to complete Invisalign, such as the severity of your dental misalignment and your commitment to treatment. If you have mild orthodontic issues, you can expect to finish your treatment in as little as six months. For those with more severe cases, it could take a little over a year.

What Happens After Invisalign?

After completing your final set of aligners in the series, you’ll visit Dr. Gashparova to ensure you’ve achieved your desired results. Once she has verified your teeth are in their properly aligned positions, she’ll explain how to preserve your hard-earned results. You’ll need to wear a retainer immediately after finishing your treatment to maintain and protect your investment. Retainers are an extremely important part of Invisalign treatment because they help your teeth stay nice and straight for years to come. Typically, you’ll start wearing it full time before gradually decreasing to only wearing it at night.

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

Absolutely not! Even though there are no dietary restrictions while undergoing Invisalign treatment, you must remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything that’s not water. Otherwise, you can damage your plastic trays, causing cracks and stains. Whenever the aligners aren’t in your mouth, make sure they’re stored in their designated case to prevent loss and keep them safe. 

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Initially, only patients with mild cases of dental misalignment were eligible for Invisalign. However, attachments and buttons are now available to help people with more severe malocclusions or bite issues enjoy treatment. Attachments are small bumps that are bonded to the teeth using a composite resin. They’re designed to grip the teeth and guide them into place with the help of the clear aligners. Meanwhile, buttons are used to attach or anchor rubber bands, allowing patients with bite issues to enjoy the benefits of removable orthodontics.