If you are considering a removable option for straightening your teeth, Invisalign may be appropriate depending on your alignment and bite. At Advanced Dental Concepts, we provide Invisalign treatment planned around your oral health and the tooth movements needed. An evaluation helps us determine whether clear aligner therapy suits your individual orthodontic concerns.
What Can Invisalign Address?
Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners to gradually guide teeth into new positions. Treatment may be considered for crooked, crowded, or spaced teeth and certain bite concerns, depending on the movements required.
For patients who want a less noticeable orthodontic appliance, clear aligners offer an alternative to conventional metal braces. Their clear design makes them less noticeable, while their removable design provides flexibility for eating and daily oral hygiene.
How We Determine Whether Invisalign Is Appropriate
Before recommending Invisalign treatment, we evaluate tooth position, your bite, and the condition of your teeth and gums.Â
We also consider the movements required, previous orthodontic treatment, existing dental work, and other factors that could influence treatment planning. We may need to address tooth decay or other oral health concerns before orthodontic treatment begins.
After the evaluation, we explain the findings and discuss whether Invisalign is appropriate for your needs.
How Invisalign Treatment Works
Invisalign treatment uses a sequence of aligners rather than moving the teeth to their planned positions all at once. At our office, we can use a 3-D digital scan to record tooth position and support treatment planning.
We then provide custom aligners based on the planned sequence of tooth movements. Each set applies controlled forces to guide the teeth progressively, and the patient advances to the next set as directed.
Follow-up visits allow us to assess how the teeth are responding and monitor treatment progress. The number of aligners and overall treatment time depend on the individual case, so timelines can vary.
Living With Clear Aligners
With Invisalign for teeth, the aligners are removable for meals and routine oral hygiene. You can brush and floss without the appliances in place, but the aligners themselves also require regular care.
Because they are removable, wearing the aligners as prescribed is important. Insufficient wear can interfere with planned tooth movement.
Some pressure or temporary discomfort can occur as the teeth respond to orthodontic forces. If an aligner becomes damaged, does not fit as expected, or you experience persistent or unusual symptoms, contact our office for an evaluation. Good oral hygiene remains important throughout aligner therapy.Â
Maintaining Your Results
Retainers are commonly recommended after active orthodontic treatment to help maintain the new tooth positions.Â
The type of retainer and wearing schedule depend on your individual needs. Follow-up care can also be used to monitor tooth position and oral health after active treatment.
Invisalign Care in Laguna Beach
Comprehensive dental services under one roof permit us to consider orthodontic treatment alongside other aspects of your oral health.Â
We consider patient comfort throughout your visits. Massage dental chairs, noise-canceling headphones, and individual tablets are available for patients who would like additional comfort or distraction during appointments.
Our Laguna Beach office welcomes patients from Laguna Village, Woods Cove, South Laguna, and Emerald Bay who would like to discuss whether Invisalign may be appropriate for their alignment needs.
Discuss Whether Invisalign Is Right for You
If you are worried about uneven teeth, certain bite issues, or teeth that have shifted following previous orthodontic treatment, schedule an evaluation at our Laguna Beach office. We can assess your teeth and bite, discuss your goals, and determine whether Invisalign is an appropriate option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign may be appropriate for certain bite concerns. Suitability depends on the type and complexity of the problem and the tooth movements required.
Yes. The aligners are removable, allowing them to be taken out for meals and routine brushing and flossing.
It may be an option in selected cases. An evaluation is needed to assess the current tooth positions and determine what movements would be required.
Retainers are commonly used after active orthodontic treatment to help maintain tooth position. The type and wearing schedule depend on individual needs.
