Invisalign – Huntington Beach, CA

Discreet Appearance

Invisalign draws its name from the fact that it features a discreet appearance, meaning that it is popular among both patients and cosmetic dentists in Huntington Beach. Although it does not completely disappear on the teeth, it also does not call a lot of attention to itself. Onlookers are more likely to notice your charming smile than they are to notice your orthodontic treatment. (Some Invisalign accessories are more visible than the aligners themselves, but they are still designed to be as subtle as possible.)

No Dietary Restrictions

Wearers of traditional braces have to adhere to a laundry list of dietary restrictions. Things like pizza crust, gummy candies, and more are all off-limits. Invisalign is different. Because the aligners are removable, you can simply take them out of your mouth at mealtimes and enjoy whatever foods you are craving. Then, all you have to do is clean your teeth, rinse your aligners, and put Invisalign back in your mouth.

Simple Oral Hygiene

With traditional braces, special oral hygiene tools are required to thoroughly clean around the brackets and wires. Maintaining a clean mouth is easier with Invisalign. You can brush and floss using the same techniques that you have used for years. You may have to clean your teeth more often than you are used to, but most patients adapt to their new routine fairly quickly.

Comfort

Any type of orthodontic treatment will cause a degree of soreness as it applies pressure to the teeth; Invisalign is no exception. However, it is exceptionally comfortable due to its smooth plastic construction and precise fit. There are no metal parts to irritate your cheeks or tongue. Plus, there is no wire that could pop out of place and cause sores.

Efficient Treatment

The average treatment time with braces is anywhere from 18 to 36 months. For most patients, their time with Invisalign is much shorter, averaging just 12 months. Of course, your treatment may require more or less time depending on your unique circumstances. When you attend your consultation, your dentist in Huntington Beach will be able to give you a timeline estimate for Invisalign.

Would you like to discover how Invisalign may be able to benefit you personally? Request an appointment with our friendly, skilled team today.

How Do I Know if Invisalign Is Right for Me?

Thanks to continued innovation and advancements with clear aligner technology, Invisalign has been becoming increasingly accessible to a wider variety of patients. Both teenagers and adults can benefit from a clear aligner system as long as they have good overall oral health and healthy gums. Both simple and complex misalignment and bite issues can be treated using aligners.

A bigger issue is patient compliance. If you struggle to wear the aligners for the minimum of 22 hours a day, then more traditional braces may be better for you. Invisalign Teen includes discreet blue dot indicators that help patients confirm if they’re wearing them for long enough.

Does Invisalign Actually Work?

Invisalign has helped more than 5 million people transform their smiles with aligners. One million of these people are teens. The system has been around for more than two decades, making it the most experienced and advanced clear aligner system in the world. They also utilize SmartTrack material to help you shift teeth more predictably, ensuring a more successful treatment. Overall, Invisalign has a great track record for helping people straighten their smile and fix uneven bites.

How Do I Care for My Aligners?

The most effective way to keep your aligners clear and smelling fresh is to use Invisalign’s cleaning crystals. While these can be bought from Dr. Arditti directly, they can also be found online. After soaking them for at least 15 minutes, use a toothbrush to remove loose food debris and excess plaque. This will keep them smelling fresh and prevent staining.

Keep in mind that richly pigmented foods can stain aligners if they remain on your teeth, so either rinse your mouth out or brush and floss before wearing them. Keep them in their dedicated case when not in use. Do not use hot water to clean your aligners as this can permanently warp them, making them unusable.

What Happens After Treatment?

In order to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their crooked position, you’ll need to wear a retainer after completing treatment. You’ll wear the retainer at all times at first, similar to how you wore your aligners. Once Dr. Arditti confirms your teeth are secure, you can switch to only wearing your retainer at night. This step is crucial to making sure you don’t lose any of the progress you worked so hard to obtain.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

To be honest, all orthodontic treatments come with some soreness. After all, your teeth are being moved into completely new positions! The good news is that any discomfort that does arise should subside shortly after transitioning to your new trays. Plus, there are a few measures you can take in the meantime, like sipping on cool water, sticking to soft foods, using a cold compress, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Although the average Invisalign treatment is between 12 and 18 months, your timeline could be shorter or longer than that. It really boils down to important factors like the complexity of your misalignment, how long you’ll need to wear each set of trays, and how well you follow the guidelines given to you (like wearing your aligners for 20+ hours a day).

Can You Eat with Invisalign?

Fortunately, you don’t have to change your diet with Invisalign; there aren’t any dietary restrictions! However, as your dental team, we still recommend taking a few precautions to keep your teeth healthy, including keeping your consumption of sugary foods and drinks to a minimum. It’s also of the utmost importance that you don’t eat anything with your aligners in. This can cause them to warp, rendering them virtually useless.

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

When patients think of Invisalign, they often imagine the clear aligners. However, there are some cases where additional “accessories” need to be added to your treatment plan, like attachments. These are small pieces of tooth-colored resin that are bonded to the front-facing surface of your teeth. This gives your trays something to grip onto, helping move more moderately misaligned teeth into their ideal positions.

Can You Get Invisalign After Braces?

Sometimes! In fact, “hybrid treatment” often refers to the combination of traditional braces and Invisalign. Plus, there are countless patients who had metal braces as a kid and are now interested in a more discreet teeth-straightening solution to address orthodontic relapse. In short, if you’re interested in Invisalign, schedule a consultation with our Huntington Beach dental team – it’s the easiest way to find out if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment!

What if My Invisalign Broke?

If one of your aligners breaks, there are a few things you shouldn’t do, like wear them. If the damage is significant enough, it can cut the soft tissue in your mouth and even move your teeth into the wrong positions. That’s why we recommend reaching out to us instead. Once we have a better idea of the extent of the damage and where you are in your treatment timeline, we can determine what the best course of action is to avoid adding weeks or months to the backend of your treatment.