Invisalign In Oakland, CA

What Types Of Problems Does Invisalign Correct?

Invisalign aligners work to correct the following problems of tooth alignment: spaces between teeth; crowded teeth; open bite; overbite (deep bite); underbite; anterior crossbite and narrow arches.

Invisalign Advantages Vs. Braces

• Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible.
• Aligners apply less force per week to your teeth than braces and are more comfortable.
• Aligners are smooth. There is no discomfort from metal braces on your lips and cheeks.
• Invisalign allows you to eat the food you want, without worries of tooth decay around braces that aren’t cleaned carefully.
• Brushing and flossing your teeth is faster and easier with Invisalign.
• Aligners can be removed when you need to for special events, etc.
• The average treatment time for Invisalign is 12 months, as opposed to 18 – 24 months for braces.
• You will see a computerized simulation of your planned tooth movement, and expected results, showing every step.

Disadvantages Of Invisalign Vs. Braces

• Certain corrections are problematic or not possible with Invisalign, as opposed to braces.
• Since Invisalign aligners are removed when eating, you must take care not to lose them.
• Tooth grinding and clenching can damage aligners. (Aligners are changed about every two weeks, so this is not usually a serious problem.)
• Lost or damaged aligners may be replaced at additional cost.
• Failure to wear the aligners as directed can cause treatment to go “off track,” requiring a mid-course correction via fabrication of new aligners at additional cost.

How Do You Get Started With Invisalign Treatment?

Schedule a new patient examination to discuss your treatment goals and find out if Invisalign is appropriate for you. If you decide to proceed, dental impressions, x-rays and photographs of you and your teeth will be taken to produce a 3-D computerized model of your teeth which will be used to plan your treatment. Once your dentist completes a plan that matches your stated goals, your dentist will review the plan with you and your anticipated treatment time. Once you approve the plan, your Invisalign aligners will be custom made using a clear thermoplastic material (USP Class IV medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resin which does not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers).

How Does Invisalign Treatment Progress?

At your first appointment, you will receive your first set of three aligners. Clear Invisalign aligners are to be worn for 20 – 22 hours daily. They are to be removed for eating and drinking anything other than water and for brushing and flossing your teeth. You will visit your dentist approximately every six weeks to check your progress and receive the next set of aligners in your series. You will need to clean your aligners by brushing and rinsing them using lukewarm water. Smoking will discolor your clear aligners and is discouraged if you intend to keep them virtually invisible during use. If your plan requires them, tooth-colored “attachments” and reshaping of the enamel “interproximal reduction” between the teeth may be performed to reach your treatment goal.

What Care Is Required To Maintain Treatment Results?

In general a retainer must be worn in order to maintain the results of any orthodontic treatment. The amount of time required varies for each person.