Invisalign Clear Aligners in Valencia, CA

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligner: Cleveland Clinic describes clear aligners as clear, custom-made plastic devices that fix crowded or crooked teeth and treat some types of mild to moderate malocclusion, which is when the upper and lower teeth do not line up when you close your mouth. It names Invisalign and ClearCorrect as examples, and says the treatment is not an option for everyone.

The trays fit over your teeth and, like braces, work by gently moving them. The difference, per Cleveland Clinic, is that braces stay in your mouth throughout treatment while with aligners you get a new custom-made tray approximately every two weeks, each one keeping your teeth moving in the planned direction. You take the trays out to eat, drink, brush and floss.

Clear aligners win on convenience and braces may win on speed, according to Cleveland Clinic. Traditional braces may fix dental issues more quickly, and it may take more time and more tray updates to get the same results with aligners. None of these treatments, it says, is a quick fix.

The other difference is discipline. Cleveland Clinic says the aligners only work if you wear them as directed and are stored safely when they are out. The ADA lists both as options for correcting a bad bite: traditional braces, with brackets cemented to the teeth and a wire that is periodically tightened, or removable aligners under the direct supervision of a dentist or orthodontist.

Yes, within limits the ADA spells out. The ADA says orthodontic treatment may be provided by your dentist or by an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, and that which one depends on the orthodontic experience of your dentist and the severity of your case. Cleveland Clinic writes its clear aligner guidance for the orthodontist, saying your orthodontist will determine if clear aligners are right for you.

At Smile Care Valencia, Invisalign treatment is planned by Dr. Robert P. Hedvat, a general dentist practicing since 2011. Our team evaluates each patient to determine whether Invisalign is the right orthodontic option for their case.

Treatment starts with a digital record of your teeth. Cleveland Clinic describes the sequence: digital pictures of your mouth and an optical scan or impression material to make molds; a map of how each tooth will move during treatment; lab technicians making each tray from that plan; fitting the first aligner; and placing tiny attachments on teeth to help the trays move them. At our office the scan comes from an intraoral scanner, which builds a three-dimensional model of your mouth without bulky impression trays.

Cleveland Clinic says you wear the aligners 22 to 23 hours a day, taking them out only for meals and to brush and floss, and that you generally move to a new tray every two weeks, with follow-up appointments to check the fit and progress.

Up to nine months for a few slightly crooked teeth, and several months more for more serious issues, according to Cleveland Clinic. For orthodontic treatment in general, the ADA says plans vary but most people are in treatment from one to three years.

It can be uncomfortable, especially when you start each new tray. Cleveland Clinic says you may notice pressure or soreness when you chew or when you remove the device, and that it typically eases within a few days. Its suggestions are soup and soft foods such as scrambled eggs during the first days of a new aligner, an ice pack on the jaw, and over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.

Contact the office if you have sharp pain, pain that lasts more than a few days, gums that bleed or swell, or a feeling that the tray is loose or does not fit, which are the four signs Cleveland Clinic says to report.

No. The ADA says healthy teeth can be orthodontically treated at any age. It adds that abnormal bites usually become noticeable between ages 6 and 12, so orthodontic treatment often begins between 8 and 14, when a growing jaw helps the result, but that adults can have treatment too.

Whether aligners rather than braces are the right tool is a separate question. Cleveland Clinic says clear aligners treat some types of mild to moderate malocclusion and are not an option for everyone, and the ADA says the choice depends on your preference and the options your dentist or orthodontist offers. That is what the first visit here is for.

Beyond appearance, the ADA says that not correcting an abnormal bite could result in tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, affected speech or chewing, abnormal wear to tooth enamel and jaw problems. Cleveland Clinic makes the same point in one line: crowded or crooked teeth and malocclusion may lead to tooth decay or gum disease.

The ADA notes that correcting the problem results in a healthier mouth.

This page does not list a price. Our team helps patients understand their benefits and financial options clearly before proceeding. We accept most PPO dental plans and CareCredit and offer financial arrangements, and our team will gladly verify your coverage before treatment.