Invisalign® in San Francisco

If you have crooked, misaligned teeth, spacing or bite issues, but do not want braces, Invisalign aligners are a great option. They offer the same results as braces, but without the hardware!

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a dental treatment for both simple fixes and complex shifts in the structure of your mouth. Invisalign are clear, plastic aligner trays that progressively and gradually straighten your teeth.

There are many transparent aligner systems out there, but Invisalign is by far the most notable and advanced. It’s supported by over two decades of scientific innovation.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Invisalign clear aligners are virtually undetectable since there are no wires and brackets. While some braces are less noticeable (for example, porcelain brackets vs. metal brackets), they are still much more visible than Invisalign.

Invisalign are also removable, which means you can brush and floss normally, and you do not have to avoid any of your favorite foods.

You have to change your brush and floss patterns to accommodate the wires and brackets with braces. You also have to avoid certain foods to prevent breaking or damaging the hardware.

Traditional braces can also be somewhat inconvenient if you get something caught in your brackets. Since you remove Invisalign trays to eat, you never have to worry about getting anything stuck in your trays.

How Invisalign Works

When you come into our office for treatment, we begin by doing a 3D scan of your teeth. From there, we can create a unique treatment plan that maps out exactly how your teeth will move during treatment.

We’re able to show you the results and the before and after in-office before you ever even start treatment!

Your Invisalign aligners are then designed to gradually shift your teeth by applying the right amount of force per tray. We will continue to monitor your progress to ensure you’re on track and that your aligners fit correctly.

Who Is a Candidate for Invisalign?

Since everyone has a unique set of teeth, we start Invisalign off with a consultation. We will determine what Invisalign can do for you during the consultation and whether it is the best option based on your goals.

Both adults and teens benefit from Invisalign. Invisalign is specially designed to fix nearly all teeth-straightening and bite issues without creating significant disruption in your daily routine.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your specific treatment plan will be unique to you. The length of treatment will largely depend on the complexity of your case and how disciplined you are with wearing your aligners.

You should generally wear aligners anywhere from 20 to 22 hours per day. You should only take them out to eat, drink, floss, and brush.

On average, our patients wear Invisalign trays for 12 to 18 months and start seeing results within weeks.

For some patients, we will apply attachments to their teeth. Attachments are small, indiscreet, tooth-colored shapes that our dentists will adhere to your teeth using LED light. The attachments serve as handles that help support the aligners so they can apply the right amount of force to your teeth.

Attachments are what make it possible to help with complex shifts in your teeth, such as in the case of an open bite. They are barely noticeable since your aligners will fit tightly around them.

Will Invisalign Affect Your Speech?

Usually, our patients have no issues with Invisalign affecting their speech. In some cases, you may have a slight lisp during the first couple of days as you get used to the treatment. It usually goes away quickly.

Can You Smoke or Drink Coffee and Alcohol with Invisalign?

We strongly discourage smoking or drinking staining substances while wearing your aligners because your Invisalign aligners will stain. Simply remove your aligners when drinking and replace them when you are finished.

How Often You Will Change Trays

The Invisalign system works by changing trays at various intervals to keep the teeth moving toward your goals.

How often you change your trays will depend on your individual treatment plan. Some patients change their aligners every week, while some change them out every two weeks.

Get Started with Invisalign in the Bay Area

Are you looking for Invisalign in San Francisco? For the best Invisalign cosmetic dentist, contact our office to get started and learn more about treatment!