Invisalign® is a brand of clear, removable aligners that straighten teeth gradually without brackets or wires. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides Invisalign treatment at our office on Artesia Boulevard in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
If you have thought about straightening your teeth, you are far from unusual. In a national survey conducted in the early 1990s and published in the Journal of Dental Research, only about one in four Americans aged 8 to 50 had upper front teeth with no measurable crowding or misalignment. Call (310) 542-6988 to find out whether aligners suit your teeth.
How Invisalign Aligners Move Teeth
Your treatment starts with records of your teeth: a scan or impressions, photos and X-rays. From these, a computer plan maps how each tooth will move, step by step, to its new position. A series of thin plastic aligners is made from that plan, and each set is shaped slightly differently from the one before.
You wear each set for a week or two, as your dentist directs, then switch to the next. Every change applies light, steady pressure that moves the teeth a small amount. Many plans also use small tooth-colored bumps, called attachments, bonded to some teeth so the aligners can grip and turn them. Ask us how often you will come in for checks.
What Invisalign Can Correct
Aligners treat many of the same problems that braces treat, especially mild to moderate ones:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps and spacing between teeth
- Crooked or rotated teeth
- Some bite problems, including certain cases of overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite
- Teeth that have shifted since braces years ago
Straighter teeth are easier to brush and floss, because there are fewer tight overlaps where plaque can collect.
Who Is a Good Candidate, and Who Should Wait
The best candidates are adults and teenagers with healthy gums, no active decay, and the discipline to wear aligners most of the day. Aligners are used for many teenagers, so if you are a parent, ask us whether your teen’s case is a good fit.
Some people need other care first. Active gum disease and untreated cavities should be treated before teeth are moved, which is why a dental cleaning and exam often comes before aligners. Severe crowding, large jaw discrepancies and some complex bite problems may be better handled by an orthodontist, sometimes with braces or surgery. If your case looks like one of these, ask us about seeing an orthodontist.
Wearing Your Aligners Day to Day
Aligners only work while they are in your mouth. Align Technology, the company that makes Invisalign aligners, says most people wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, as their dentist directs.
- Take the aligners out to eat and to drink anything other than plain water
- Brush your teeth before you put them back in, so food is not trapped against the teeth
- Rinse the aligners and clean them gently, using cool or lukewarm water, since hot water can warp the plastic
- Keep them in their case whenever they are out
- Expect pressure or soreness for a day or two after each new set, which usually eases as the teeth adjust
How Long Treatment Takes
Treatment length depends on how far your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear the aligners. Minor spacing can finish sooner, while crowding and bite correction take longer. Some patients also need a short round of extra aligners, called refinements, to fine-tune the result. Your dentist can estimate the timeline for your case at the consultation. Missing wear time is a common reason treatment runs longer than planned.
Invisalign or Braces?
Both straighten teeth. Aligners are clear, come out for meals and brushing, and have no wires that rub the cheeks. Braces are fixed to the teeth, so they work around the clock without depending on you to put them in, and they can handle some complex movements that aligners cannot. If you know you will struggle to keep aligners in for most of the day, say so at your consultation, because that is an important part of choosing.
Straightening First, Then Cosmetic Work
Crooked teeth are sometimes covered with veneers to make them look straight, which usually means reshaping more of the natural tooth. Moving the teeth into line first can mean less tooth needs to be removed later, or that bonding is enough. Many patients use aligners as the first step of a smile makeover, then follow with porcelain veneers or teeth whitening once the teeth are in place. Whitening after aligners also means any attachments have already been removed.
Keeping Your Results
Teeth tend to drift back toward their old positions after any straightening, whether it was braces or aligners. Wearing a retainer is what keeps them where they are. Many people wear one full time for a period after treatment and then at night for the long term, as directed by their dentist. Retainers wear out and need replacing from time to time, so ask us about retainer options before you start.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
What Invisalign Costs and How to Pay for It
The cost of Invisalign depends on how complex your case is, how many aligners the plan needs, whether refinements are required, and the retainers you will wear afterward. Any dental work needed first, such as fillings or a gum treatment, is separate. Ask for an estimate at your consultation so you know the full number before you commit.
Some dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit that can apply to Invisalign, often with a lifetime maximum and sometimes an age limit. We accept PPO plans, so ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For the balance, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 30-minute rule for Invisalign?
The 30-minute rule for Invisalign is a common guideline to put your aligners back in within about 30 minutes of taking them out to eat, drink or brush. Align Technology says most people wear their aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, as their dentist directs, and long gaps add up and slow treatment.
What disqualifies you from Invisalign?
Several things can rule out Invisalign or delay it. Active gum disease and untreated cavities need treatment before teeth are moved. Severe crowding, large jaw discrepancies and some complex bite problems may be better treated by an orthodontist. And if you cannot wear aligners for most of the day, they will not work.
How much does Invisalign cost in Redondo Beach?
The cost of Invisalign at Redondo Beach Dental Group depends on how complex your case is, how many aligners you need, any refinements, and your retainers afterward. Ask for an estimate at your consultation. Some PPO plans include an orthodontic benefit, and payment plans are available for the balance.
Why do people quit Invisalign?
A common reason people quit Invisalign is that wearing aligners most of the day is harder than they expected. Taking them out for every snack and coffee, and brushing before putting them back, takes discipline. Knowing the routine before you start, and choosing braces if it will not fit your life, avoids that.
Can a general dentist provide Invisalign?
A general dentist can provide Invisalign treatment. Invisalign is also offered by orthodontists, who are specialists in tooth movement, and severe or complex bite cases are often better handled by an orthodontist.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Invisalign treatment usually causes pressure or mild soreness for a day or two after each new set of aligners, as the teeth begin to move. The edges can also rub the cheeks or tongue at first, and this typically eases within a few days.
Do you have to wear a retainer after Invisalign?
A retainer is needed after Invisalign, because teeth tend to drift back toward their old positions once treatment ends. Many people wear a retainer full time for a while and then at night for the long term. Your dentist will tell you how often to wear yours.
Start Invisalign in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online and mention Invisalign so we can plan your consultation. Invisalign is one part of the cosmetic dentistry we provide in Redondo Beach.
Invisalign and the Invisalign logo, among others, are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. and other countries.