Invisalign®
Invisalign® clear aligners prove that effective orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. These ingenious appliances have helped millions straighten their teeth and achieve better-looking smiles, and they can help you too.
Invisalign® in South Bay
Invisalign® aligners in South Bay are an effective and discreet orthodontic treatment option that are worn comfortably over your teeth to continuously adjust alignment and spacing. Dr. Maha Boulos is an Invisalign® Gold+ provider who has had extensive cosmetic dentistry training.
South Bay Dental Smiles custom-makes Invisalign® aligners using models of both your current teeth and the end result you hope to achieve. With Invisalign® aligners, you will switch to new aligners about every one to two weeks. Each set slightly adjusts the position of your teeth until you have achieved your final results, which typically takes about 5-10 months, but sometimes can take longer.
You remove the Invisalign® aligners for eating, drinking and cleaning only. At first, they will feel very tight, but they will begin to loosen and feel more comfortable after a few days.
Schedule Appointment at South Bay Dental SmilesDoes Insurance Cover Invisalign®?
Many insurance plans do provide Invisalign® coverage the same way they would cover metal braces. Depending on your insurance policy, they may cover a certain dollar amount of the treatment. One of our insurance coordinators at South Bay Dental Smiles will check your individual plan to let you know what your policy provides.
At South Bay Dental Smiles, Invisalign® costs range from $3,500 to $5,200 depending on the length and severity of your treatment. We also offer a Dental Membership Plan, External Payment Plans and a monthly payment plan to help cover the cost of your treatment.
Learn More About Financing Your Invisalign® Treatment
How often are Invisalign® appointments?
After you have received your Invisalign® aligners, we will schedule an appointment for you to come in every 6 weeks for a quick evaluation. This is an essential part of Invisalign® treatment so we can assure your teeth are moving as predicted. This appointment can be in-person, but you also have the option of a virtual appointment. During the virtual appointment, you would need to send our doctors photos of your teeth to make sure that your teeth are moving as necessary.
Meet Your Invisalign® Specialist
Dr. Maha Boulos
Dr. Maha Boulos has had advanced Invisalign® training through the American Academy of Clear Aligners. She is also a Gold + Invisalign® provider and is a member of the Teen Invisalign® Fellowship.
How Long Does the Invisalign® Process Take?
With Invisalign®, each case is unique depending on your smile’s needs and goals. If treatment is minimal, you may be able to complete treatment in as little as 6 months. Once you start treatment, you will start seeing results in a matter of weeks.
You will need to wear your Invisalign® aligners for 20-22 hours a day to guarantee that your treatment proceeds in a timely way. If you fail to wear your aligners for the recommended time per day, your treatment could take much longer.
What Happens After Your Last Invisalign® Tray is Complete?
Once you have completed your Invisalign® treatment, we will take off any attachments that were placed and give you your retainers to wear every night. Retainers are required to maintain the results of your Invisalign® treatment and to hold your teeth in the ideal position. Since each case is different, we will discuss the options with you once your treatment is complete.
We offer a few other additional products that are included in your treatment:
- Whitening gel that can be used in conjunction with your aligners to whiten your teeth while keeping your smile in place.
- A “pull tool” to remove your aligners comfortably.
- “Munchies” to help eliminate the air space between the Invisalign® aligner and the teeth. This provides a more comfortable and efficient way to provide a uniform force to seat the Invisalign® aligner properly.
- Aligner cleaning tablets.
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Does Invisalign® Hurt?
Invisalign® aligners are not painful, but they can leave your teeth feeling sore. The aligners are slowly shifting your teeth in place, so it may feel uncomfortable at first, but this is normal. If the discomfort becomes too much, you can drink cold water or suck on small ice cubes to help soothe your sore teeth.
We recommend putting in your new aligner set at night so that you are able to sleep through the initial discomfort of a new aligner set. That way, you’ll wake up the next day without having to experience the discomfort while you’re wide awake.
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Who Can Use Invisalign®?
Most teens and adult patients requiring mild to moderate orthodontic corrections can use Invisalign®. This includes patients with teeth that are crooked and misaligned or teeth that feature noticeable spacing problems. Invisalign® can even help patients with minor bite issues—however, not all orthodontic issues can be treated with Invisalign®. More extensive problems will require additional treatment.
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How Does The Invisalign® Process Work?
To begin, we will take a digital scan of your teeth using our iTero Scanner. Those records are sent to Invisalign® with detailed instructions on how we want the final result to appear. Invisalign® will scan the impressions to create a 3D model of the teeth and work with your dentist to get the mold to its exact proportions. Once final, the trays are made and mailed to your dentist office. You will wear a set of trays for two weeks at a time for approximately 2 years, or the length of time determined by your dentist.
Read: Insights on Invisalign