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When you think about getting braces, you automatically get visions of metal bands and brackets. The thought of aligners doesn’t usually cross your mind. But Invisalign is a clear alternative to braces that gives you the same benefits but with a more natural look. Having a flawless smile can be of great advantage anywhere. Flashing those pearly whites as you meet new people can give rise to great opportunities. So taking the time to care for one’s teeth has always been a top priority for some. Getting braces isn’t always easy as they are visible and having to pick the right color of brackets is also a pain for most. Adults will experience some awkwardness during the first few weeks of wearing braces before they get used to them. This is a common reason for some to avoid this kind of treatment. But with Invisalign at Serene Dental Center in Irvine, CA, getting those naturally perfect teeth won’t be that complicated anymore! Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses a series of customized, removable, and transparent aligners to straighten teeth without using conventional metal wires and brackets. Because Invisalign uses clear aligners that are virtually invisible to others, people can wear them at all times, except when eating and drinking beverages that are not water, as it can cause damage and stain to the aligners. Invisalign can be easily removed when needed, but dentists recommend that you wear them for at least 22 hours daily. This is a considerable advantage compared to conventional braces, which are often visible and may require more adjustments to the user’s lifestyle. Clear aligners from Invisalign are discreet and easy to take out when needed. The main advantage of Invisalign over traditional braces is that they are almost invisible. They are made of clear, transparent, and removable plastic, much thinner than most orthodontic wires. Since there are no visible wires or brackets, Invisalign is an excellent choice for adults who feel self-conscious about having braces or for young people who doesn’t like the uncomfortable feeling of brackets and wires around their teeth. Invisalign also has the added benefit of being removable and easy to clean. This means you can take your aligners out when necessary. You can also enjoy the usual food that you like without having to worry about debris getting caught in your metal braces. This is a significant advantage of Invisalign over traditional braces, which are stuck to your teeth for a long time. What Dental Issues Can Invisalign Correct? Invisalign is the perfect alternative to braces if you have mild to moderate alignment issues. If you are suffering from severe teeth misalignment, you might want to go with braces. With that being said, specific orthodontic issues can be fixed with Invisalign. Here are the most common issues that Invisalign can help address: Yes, these aligners are truly invisible. Instead of having brackets and wires attached to your teeth, these aligners will be put in your mouth and tucked into a specific spot. Yes, Invisalign has been proven to be effective when it comes to achieving desired tooth alignment. The clear, custom-made aligners are made to make small, steady changes to how your teeth are lined up. They are also made to be gentle on your gums and teeth. At Serene Dental Center, we believe that our commitment to excellence extends beyond the quality of our dental care. We also understand the stress and anxiety that comes with visiting the dentist. It’s our goal to provide a warm and welcoming environment where you can relax and enjoy yourself while receiving the treatment you need. Our staff is committed to making every visit as pleasant as possible. With their warm smiles and encouragements, they’ll help ease away any uneasiness you may be feeling. We also offer flexible appointment times, and our team is available to provide emergency care when necessary. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (949) 748-7373. At Serene Dental Center, we believe that a healthy smile is the foundation for a happy and successful life. We are committed to helping you achieve your dental goals by providing the latest dental care and education innovations. We provide a wide variety of services, including teeth whitening, dental implants, and Invisalign. We are committed to providing excellent care with a gentle touch. Our goal is to help you maintain your optimal oral health and achieve the smile you want. As soon as you walk in, you'll see how much effort we exert about giving excellent care and making the place feel like home.What is Invisalign?
The "Clear" Advantage of Invisalign Orthodontics
Is Invisalign Really Invisible?
Are These Aligners Effective?
Our Office and Our Commitment
The Dental Difference at Serene Dental Center
The average Invisalign course of treatment takes about a year. During that time, you will change to a new set of aligners every two weeks. The movement of your teeth is subtle from aligner to aligner. Before you know it, you have developed a beautiful, healthy smile.
You can have the confidence you need while looking great at work, at school and with friends.
In both clinical research and dental practices nationwide (including our own Irvine practice), Invisalign has proven effective to treat the following:
Best of all, Invisalign helps improve your overall health, including:
Many of our patients wonder what the cost of Invisalign is, particularly in Irvine. However, the truth is that the cost for this treatment can really vary, depending on factors such as the extent of treatment and number of aligners needed. Some insurance companies offer coverage, but it is best to check with your insurer first to verify coverage.
If you’re ready for straighter, more attractive teeth, the first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our certified Invisalign dentists in Irvine. During your first visit, we will examine your teeth, discuss your specific needs and goals and explain the course of treatment. We will decide whether Invisalign is appropriate for your case.
If it is, we will take some records, including X-rays that help us to visualize your jawbone and tooth roots, bite registration to determine how your upper and lower teeth fit together, impressions that help create a mold of your teeth, and photographs. Once we have gathered this information, we will program it into the Invisalign software. This program helps to map out your treatment based on your exact specifications. Your records and other details are then sent to the Invisalign laboratory that constructs your aligners.
You should receive your first set of upper and lower aligners within a few weeks. Our dentists will deliver the first set and check to ensure a good fit. We will give you instructions for wearing and cleaning the aligners.
You should wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them to brush your teeth and eat. The aligners will gradually shift your teeth into the desired position and alignment.
A few weeks later, we will deliver your second set of aligners to replace the first set. We will check your teeth and monitor your progress. Altogether, you may wear 20 to 30 sets of aligners over the course of treatment.
Most of our Irvine patients finish Invisalign treatment within a year. When you have achieved the desired results, you may be fitted for a special retainer to help you maintain your newly improved smile long-term.
Compare the ease and comfort of Invisalign to that of traditional braces. Braces have metal wires and brackets that are cemented onto the teeth. Braces are clunky, conspicuous and uncomfortable; the wire components can scratch and irritate the inside of the mouth, and the wires need to be tightened every few weeks, which causes additional discomfort. Many patients with braces wear them up to two years to see results.
All dental treatment options, including Invisalign, have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. These should be carefully considered before moving forward with treatment.
Inconspicuous
The aligners are virtually undetectable in the mouth when speaking or smiling.
No food restrictions
Because the aligners are removable for eating, there are no dietary limitations. Traditional metal braces make it difficult to eat certain sticky or crunchy foods out of fear that the food will pull or break a wire or bracket.
Generally more comfortable than metal brackets and wires
With Invisalign, the clear aligners straighten teeth so there are no monthly visits to have the wires tightened.
Teeth are easier to clean
Teeth can be brushed and flossed normally because the aligners are removable. Traditional braces make it more difficult to clean the nooks and crannies between the teeth.
Not appropriate for every case
Invisalign doesn’t treat every dental problem, including serious orthodontic or jaw issues. Some patients are better served with traditional braces.
Requires discipline and compliance
Invisalign does require self-discipline and compliance to see results. For example, the aligners must be worn at least 20 hours a day to see results, cleaned regularly and protected from damage. Every few weeks, they must be replaced with the next set in the sequence. Patients that do not want to worry about complying with these guidelines are probably better suited to braces.
Teenagers and adults who are concerned about their smiles and poorly aligned teeth may be good candidates for Invisalign treatment. However, not everyone will benefit from Invisalign. Irvine patients with severe tooth alignment problems or very poor oral health are advised to view our alternative solutions. We are often able to address these oral issues with other treatments before patients begin using Invisalign.
Yes, Invisalign is appropriate for some teenagers. In fact, there is a specific system designed for teens called Invisalign Teen, which fixes cases of gapped teeth, crowded teeth, underbite, overbite, crossbite or open bite.
The Invisalign Teen system is very similar to the Invisalign system for adults. It is ideal for teens because the aligners aren’t conspicuous so they won’t cause patients to feel self-conscious around their friends or classmates. The aligners can also be easily removed so that patients can enjoy their favorite foods, play sports or participate in other after-school activities and hobbies.
There are a few differences in the Invisalign Teen aligners. First, they are designed with small blue dots that fade after about two weeks of wear. These dots help parents and our Invisalign specialists to monitor and track the teen’s compliance with wearing the aligners. If the teen is not diligent about wearing them as recommended, our dentists will know and can talk to the patient about being more compliant.
Also, the aligners are designed with additional space for adult teeth that need to emerge or “erupt” from beneath the gum line. Finally, the Invisalign Teen system comes with complimentary replacement aligners in case patients break or misplace their originals.
Remember that not all teens qualify for teeth straightening treatment with Invisalign. For those that don’t, our dentists can explore alternative options, including traditional braces.
To find out if you are a good candidate for transparent aligners, please schedule a consultation today at our dental practice in Irvine. You will be able to learn more about Invisalign and other orthodontic options from our Invisalign experts.
Invisalign uses a series of custom clear aligners to gradually shift teeth into the proper position and alignment. Each set of aligners is typically worn for about two weeks, and then swapped out for the next set in the series.
Invisalign treatment might be a good option for you if your teeth are slightly crooked, crowded or poorly aligned. If your orthodontic problems are more serious, you might be better suited to traditional braces.
Invisalign aligners are clear and discreet, so no one should notice you are wearing them. They are comfortable and do not irritate the insides of the cheeks or the soft tissues of your mouth. The aligners are easily removable for eating, so you can enjoy all of your favorite foods during treatment. Treatment time is usually shorter than that of traditional braces.
Invisalign aligners are constructed from a thin thermoplastic material. They look similar to teeth whitening trays. Each set of aligners is custom created for the specific case.
It is recommended you wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. You can remove your aligners for eating and cleaning.
Treatment time varies by patient, but many patients are able to complete treatment within a year.
There is a special cleansing system available for purchase that you can use to clean the aligners. Or, you can simply brush them with your toothpaste and rinse them.
Accidents happen, and aligners can get lost or broken. Because it is a common problem, Invisalign treatment includes one or two built-in replacement aligners at no added cost to you.
There are some cases where you may be better off wearing the last aligner in your sequence, or advancing to the next aligner, depending on where you are in your treatment phase. However, don’t try to decide on your own; our Invisalign specialist will recommend the best course of action during a phone call or an office visit.
If you require an identical replacement, we can certainly accommodate that. Replacing an aligner may tack on a few weeks to the total treatment time, but it should not delay your results significantly.
Yes, it is usually recommended patients wear a retainer to prevent the teeth from returning to their original position. Our Invisalign dentists can confirm whether you will need one for the upper teeth, lower teeth or both.
Call or visit our online scheduling page and experience our high-quality dentistry care in comfort and gentleness. Come get the Serene Experience!
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