San Bruno, CA Dentist Answers Your Questions about Invisalign™

If you have endured misaligned teeth because you dread the thought of the discomfort and inconvenience of traditional metal braces, you will be happy to know that modern orthodontics have progressed significantly since the day when your only treatment option was metal brackets and wires. For many people, one of the solutions may be found by choosing Invisalign™, a virtually invisible and comfortable alignment option provided by your San Bruno CA Invisalign Dentist

What are the advantages of using Invisalign™ aligners?
•    Easily removable:  You can continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Your aligners can simply be brushed and rinsed in lukewarm water.
•    Convenient:  With Invisalign™ you simply remove the aligners to eat. You can continue to eat foods you love without any restrictions or worrying about food getting stuck in wires and brackets.
•    Adaptable to your active lifestyle: If you’re involved in contact sports, you don’t have to worry about the discomfort of metal braces and wires that can poke and irritate your mouth. Invisalign™ aligners are easily removed, enabling you to wear a protective mouth guard if necessary.

How does the process work?
The process starts with a consultation, where we will discuss your case to determine if you're a good candidate for Invisalign™. The Invisalign™ system can address many types of cases, and your San Bruno Invisalign™ Dentist will decide if this is the right treatment for you. This consultation will also provide the opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you may have about the treatment such as cost, dental insurance, payments, etc.

The first steps in the process of fitting you for the Invisalign™ aligners will be to take x-rays as well as pictures and impressions of your teeth.  These will be used to create a digital 3-D image of your teeth. These images will enable us to outline a custom treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth. This same technology also enables us to show you a virtual representation of exactly how your teeth will move at each stage of the treatment.

Do Invisalign™ aligners require a lot of maintenance on my part?
Once your individual treatment plan is established, a series of custom-made, clear aligners will be created specifically for you. These aligners, made of a smooth, comfortable BPA-free plastic, won't irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces. You will wear the aligners throughout the day, easily removing them when for eating or brushing and flossing your teeth. Each set of aligners is designed to gently and gradually shift your teeth into place. And because they're virtually invisible, most people won't even notice you're wearing them!

Do I need to devote a lot of time to office visits?
You will change to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. You will also come into your San Bruno, California Dentist Office occasionally (every six weeks or so) in order for us to monitor your progress.  As you progress through each stage, you will also be able to see how much closer you are to having the beautifully aligned teeth you always hoped for.

How long does the entire process take?
While every case is unique to each patient, Invisalign™ treatment usually takes about a year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces, but since your teeth won't be covered by wires and brackets, you'll be able to see improvement much sooner. For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment.