Invisalign – Los Angeles, CA
A Discreet and Faster Alternative to Braces
Do you want to have a straighter smile but dread the thought of wearing metal brackets and wires for years of treatment? At Westside Dental Associates, we offer a better, more appealing solution to get you the results you’re looking for—Invisalign. With this advanced and efficient orthodontic treatment, those around you will barely notice your clear aligners! You can maintain your appearance and your confidence as you make progress toward your perfectly aligned smile. To learn more about Invisalign in Los Angeles, simply continue reading or schedule a consultation with our team today!
Why Choose Westside Dental Associates for Invisalign?
- Safe Digital X-Rays for Enhanced Imaging
- In-House Savings Plan Available for Uninsured Patients
- More Than 30+ Years Serving the Local Community
How Invisalign Works
Instead of brackets and wires that force your teeth into position, Invisalign’s effective system uses comfortable, custom-made plastic trays to gently guide your teeth into the desired alignment. Once Dr. Latner has created a personalized treatment plan and your trays arrive, you wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day, taking them out only for eating and cleaning. After about two weeks, you switch to the next set, bringing you one step closer to the final results. Every couple of months, you need to come into our office for a quick appointment so that Dr. Latner can ensure that you’re progressing properly and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Indications for Invisalign
Do you have any of the following? If so, you could be a good candidate for Invisalign in Los Angeles.
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Crowded Teeth
It can be difficult to keep your smile bright and healthy when you have crowded teeth. Bacteria, food particles, and plaque can hide in the nooks and crannies of your mouth, increasing your risk of oral health problems. Luckily, Invisalign can easily move teeth that are too close to each other to create appropriate space. That way, you can thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to keep your mouth free of harmful substances.
Gaps Between Teeth
When there’s too much space between your teeth, food can easily become stuck, causing bad breath and decay. Additionally, these spaces in your smile can make you feel self-conscious and take a toll on your mental health. The clear aligners can gently push your teeth back into healthier, more aesthetically pleasing, aligned positions.
Bite Alignment
Is your bite misaligned? Whether you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, Invisalign can shift your teeth in the right direction to correct these issues. It will minimize any potential chronic jaw pain and lower your risk of TMJ disorder.
The Benefits of Invisalign
In addition to allowing for a better appearance and improved confidence, Invisalign offers many advantages to traditional braces, including the following:
- Faster Results –While traditional braces can take between 24 and 36 months to complete treatment, Invisalign typically lasts only up to 18 months. Plus, Invisalign requires fewer, less frequent adjustment appointments.
- No Food Restrictions – Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you can eat all your favorite foods without worrying about sabotaging your treatment. Just be sure to brush and floss after eating and before putting your trays back in.
- Easier Oral Care – Brushing and flossing around bulky brackets and wires can be challenging. With Invisalign, you simply remove the trays and brush and floss your teeth like normal.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Since many factors influence the total cost of Invisalign in Los Angeles, it’s impossible to give an accurate cost estimate until you visit us for a consultation. At your appointment, we’ll examine your smile in its entirety and discuss your goals to determine the exact treatment plan needed to achieve your desired results. Our team will thoroughly explain the overall cost of your proposed treatment and your available financing options. We’ll also review the details of your dental insurance plan to help you maximize your benefits and keep your out-of-pocket expenses as low as possible.
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What Are Malocclusions?
Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are different types of malocclusions. Your occlusion is how your teeth fit together. When your occlusion is right, your top teeth and bottom teeth fit together perfectly. Malocclusions are instances where the teeth do not fit together properly, and Invisalign can help change your bite for balance. An overbite is defined as the upper teeth coming forward and closing in front of the bottom teeth. An underbite is defined as the lower teeth closing in front of the upper teeth. A crossbite is defined as the side teeth not meeting properly, with either the upper or lower set falling inside of the opposing teeth.
Malocclusions can contribute to many problems, and not just the cosmetic kind. When your bite is improper, it can cause TMJ disorder over time and lead to dental wear. With Invisalign, we can fix not only crooked teeth that make you uncomfortable with your smile but your malocclusions as well, giving you great TMJ function.
More About Invisalign
Dr. Latner was one of the first general dentists to offer Invisalign, and he has personally witnessed patients experiencing increased confidence and success after treatment. FDA-approved Invisalign clear braces are the “invisible” solution to straighten teeth without conventional metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable, and custom-made aligners to gently move teeth into their ideal position.
Because you can remove your Invisalign aligners before you eat and drink, there are no food restrictions or problems with flossing or brushing. Invisalign aligners are made of comfortable, clear acrylic, which means they don’t cause mouth abrasions common with the metal and wires of conventional braces. Adjustment visits aren’t required either. You’ll spend less time at Dr. Latner’s Los Angeles dental office and more time enjoying life.
To create Invisalign aligners, Dr. Latner relies on 3D computer imaging to design a complete treatment plan, from the initial teeth alignment to the final, desired positioning. You can even preview your potential smile before beginning Invisalign treatment. Displeased with your smile because of misalignments, malocclusion, or even just slightly crooked teeth? You don’t have to be! You can be proud of your smile with Invisalign treatment from Los Angeles dentist Dr. Les Latner.
Invisalign FAQs
Are you ready to straighten your teeth with clear aligners instead of traditional braces? With Invisalign, you can undergo a quicker and much more discreet process for correcting your bite. With that said, you might still want to know more about what you should expect from the treatment before proceeding with it. While you can do some online research, our team has gathered and answered several of the most commonly asked questions we get about Invisalign in Los Angeles to make finding answers easier for you. Read on or reach out to us if you’d like to learn more today!
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
One of the unique benefits of Invisalign is how quick it is compared to metal braces. While traditional ones can take around 24 months or more to finish, your clear aligners can straighten your teeth anywhere from 12-18 months. This can vary from patient to patient, as each bite is different. To get an estimated timeframe for your treatment, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with us. We’ll assess your dental situation, learn about your smile goals, and determine how best to achieve the results you’re looking for, along with an approximate timeline.
Can You Eat with Invisalign?
In short, you should not eat anything while wearing Invisalign. Although they’ll be made of durable plastic, they can still easily become damaged or warped. A good rule of thumb will be to remove them before you eat or drink anything (except for unflavored water). This will help you avoid scratching, breaking, or staining them, which can interfere with your progress. Fortunately, your clear aligners will be removable, meaning you can still munch on your favorite foods throughout treatment! Just be sure to reduce how often you eat sugary treats or drinks, as they can increase your risk of cavities.
What If My Invisalign Broke?
The best thing to do if you have a broken Invisalign aligner is to get in touch with our team as soon as possible. While this isn’t an emergency, we’ll still want to help get you back on track with your treatment. Our team will evaluate your plan and decide the best way to address your situation. For instance, if you barely started wearing that clear tray, then we might recommend that you wear your previous one until you get a replacement. However, if you had a day or two left of wearing the aligner, then you might simply switch over to the new set. Make sure you consult with Dr. Latner before deciding on your own and do NOT try any home remedies like superglue to fix your aligners.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign?
You should ensure your clear aligners are regularly cleaned to maintain a clean and odor-free experience. Rinse them off with lukewarm water every time you remove them and before wearing them again. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove plaque and food matter that may have been collected throughout the day. You can also soak them in cleaning crystals or other orthodontist-approved cleaners during your meals to keep them bacteria-free.