Many men and women who struggle with misaligned teeth desire an orthodontic solution that is efficient and aesthetically pleasing. However, the idea of wearing metal braces for two or more years is enough for some patients to opt-out of orthodontic care altogether. At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign® as an alternative to traditional braces.
Invisalign® is a treatment system for which clear aligners, much like dental trays, apply constant pressure to correct the smile. Typically, aligners are changed, or tightened, every two weeks, which can offer noticeable results with quick treatment times. Invisalign® aligners can straighten and enhance the appearance of your teeth to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.
Schedule a ConsultationCrooked teeth can affect a patient's overall smile and create social hindrances. Misaligned teeth also have an increased chance of retaining food debris and can be difficult to clean properly. Straightening your teeth with Invisalign® can lower the chances of tooth decay and cavities to ensure your teeth remain as healthy as possible through the years.
Metal braces can tend to be bothersome and painful, especially considering you cannot take them off whenever you like. Invisalign® is removable, which makes it easier to eat, drink, and practice regular oral hygiene such as brushing, rinsing, and flossing. Many prefer the transparency and flexibility that Invisalign® can provide as well as its aesthetic appeal.
Having unflattering teeth can make a person embarrassed about their appearance, and many people are concerned that wearing metal braces will be painful and cause them to appear immature. Invisalign® will not only provide you with straighter teeth, but it can also comfortably improve your confidence so you no longer have to hide your smile.
To determine your candidacy for Invisalign®, Dr. Kohani will perform a dental examination and take X-rays to understand the extent of your misalignment. If Invisalign® is right for you, Dr. Kohani will then design a treatment plan that outlines how your teeth should shift into place using the clear aligners.
Following your dental examination, your treatment plan, X-rays, dental records, tooth impressions, and bite registration will be sent to an Invisalign® laboratory. During that time, another virtual treatment plan will be created to depict the final results of your dentition once your treatment has been completed. After Dr. Kohani has approved the suggested treatment plan, your set of aligners will be customized and created in the laboratory.
The number of aligners you receive will depend on the extent of your misalignment as well as your personal treatment plan. However, anywhere from 5 to 50 aligners can be created, and total treatment time can take between two and 15 months to complete.
It is important to wear the aligners in the designated order to help ensure a smooth and comfortable process. If you skip a set of aligners, the next set may not fit. Your teeth must be moved to a certain degree within your current aligner before they can fit into the next one.
Wearing your aligners for the required amount of time will also ensure optimal results. Additionally, removing your aligners when eating tough foods or drinking hot beverages will keep your aligners from warping and disrupting the progress of your treatment.
There is no downtime needed following the completion of the Invisalign® treatment.
After your treatment, be sure to follow all instructions given to you by Dr. Kohani. The effectiveness of the treatment is dependent on the patient actually wearing their aligners for the appropriate amount of time without losing the trays.
If the patient is not complying with the requirements of the treatment (not wearing their aligners as they should be) then the duration of the treatment can be prolonged.
While Invisalign® is less painful than traditional braces, you may experience some moderate pain as your teeth adjust to wearing the aligners. Unlike traditional braces, which are usually tightened monthly, Invisalign® aligners need to be switched every two weeks.
The cost of your Invisalign® treatment is based on how many trays you will need. Once Dr. Kohani has received all of the diagnostics, an electronic proposal will be sent to Invisalign®. Once these have been completed, you will be given a detailed estimate of the cost.
You will change your aligners every couple of weeks until your treatment regimen is complete, and you will only need to visit Dr. Kohani for an examination every four to six weeks to ensure that your teeth are being aligned properly.
You will be given a retainer made of slightly thicker plastic that will help you to maintain your results. This retainer is usually only needed at night.
After Invisalign®, most patients experience permanent results.
Amazing staff! DR. kohani is the man! 10/10 recommend this dentistry. Make you feel like a valued patient and will go above and beyond for you.
Tim F.
I've been a patient of Dr. Kohani's for over 10 years. He and his staff are hands down the best! They have always been friendly and welcoming every time I've come in. The dentist can be a place that no one wants to go to but I've weirdly enjoyed every single one of my visits.
Ricky H.
I have been a dental client of this office for 15 years and I LOVE my dentist and the cleaning technicians. Dr. Kohani is simply great and helpful!!!
Brian K.
Invisalign® is most effective on patients who are exhibiting minor tooth misalignments and will not work for those with severe tooth crowding, rotated teeth, missing teeth, or poor bite positions.
Invisalign® is appropriate for patients who are looking for an alternative to traditional braces and other orthodontic services. Invisalign® is appropriate for adults who are looking to straighten their teeth as well as teenagers and younger children who may not want metal braces.
Using Invisalign® requires active participation from the patient who wears it for the treatment to be effective. The retainers must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day for the teeth to move the necessary amount. If the teeth have not fully shifted in time for the next aligner, then the aligner set could become compromised.
Invisalign® consists of a series of comfortable and clear plastic aligners that work to shift misaligned teeth gradually into a straighter and healthier position. The aligners, which are made of BPA-free plastic, fit smoothly over your teeth and look virtually invisible.
Lost aligners can usually be replaced; however, additional costs may apply. If you lose your aligners, be sure to replace them as quickly as possible. If you go too long without your aligners, your teeth will begin to shift, which may make your treatment time longer and require you to buy more aligners.
All aligners or retainers need to be ordered by your dentist. Invisalign® is considered to be a prescription item and requires a doctor’s approval.
No. You can only consume water while wearing your aligners. Eating food or sugary drinks can cause food and sugars to get trapped in the aligners, which can cause cavities. It is also important to make sure you brush your teeth after every meal to prevent food from trapping.
The Invisalign® brand offers a cleaning system that can be found online or by talking to your doctor. You should also clean your aligners by brushing them with a regular toothbrush and toothpaste.
Be sure to brush them in lukewarm water. Hot water can permanently warp the plastic.
It is strongly discouraged to smoke while wearing aligners, as this can stain the aligners. Smoking will not change the effectiveness of the aligners; however, the aligners may become much more visible and tint the color of the teeth.
Yes. Much like traditional braces, retainers are required following Invisalign® to ensure that your teeth do not shift out of alignment once again. You will be given proper instructions on how long to wear your retainer as well as how to clean and maintain them.
