Everyday, more and more people are choosing Invisalign® for a beautifully aligned smile over the mechanical appearance and discomfort of traditional wire and bracket braces. Dr. Elaine Gorelik and the team at Trident Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Los Angeles, have extensive experience in creating confident smiles with the gentle but effective Invisalign technology which is superior to other clear alignment methods. Make your appointment today with their patient-friendly online scheduling service.

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What are the advantages of Invisalign?

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. They eliminate the risk of gum and mouth irritation and the injuries frequently associated with broken wires or brackets. They’re much more comfortable overall than traditional braces and require fewer office visits, approximately once every six weeks.

The aligners remove easily for brushing, flossing, and enjoying the foods you love, and then slip back into place without difficulty. With other methods, it can take up to 30 minutes to brush and floss your teeth and many foods are off-limits. Despite your best efforts, cavities are often a side effect of traditional braces.

Invisalign also uses proprietary SmartTrack® material that offers more predictable, controlled tooth movements than other clear aligners during treatment. The Invisalign system also provides excellent results with both simple and complex cases and works well for teens and adults.

How does Invisalign work?

Your doctor will use a digital scanner or make physical impressions of your teeth and then map out a precise treatment plan that includes expectations for how long it will take to complete the alignment process.

A series of custom aligners are created based on these measurements. Each aligner shifts your teeth slightly, until they’ve straightened to their final position. You replace each aligner with the next in the series about every two weeks.

Plan to visit the office about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages nine to 15 months. The number of aligners required during treatment varies case by case, but Invisalign technology typically requires between 18- 30 aligners to complete the alignment process.

Are Invisalign aligners easy to wear?

Yes. However, you must remove them for meals, brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as for sports requiring a mouth guard. Otherwise, the aligners are designed to be worn comfortably for 20-22 hours per day. They’re simple and quick to clean, adding just a few minutes to your daily dental care routine.

Once you’ve completed the treatment, Invisalign also offers a custom-made Vivera® retainer to keep your new smile in place. This comfortable retainer is created from the same virtually invisible material as the aligners.

How should I clean my Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign makes the Invisalign Cleaning System available for purchase on their website. You can also brush your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste, but always use lukewarm water since hot water can warp the plastic aligners.

What should I do if I lose or break an aligner?

Please call the office right away if you lose or break an aligner. Dr. Gorelik wants you to stay on track with your treatment plan. By letting her know that an aligner is lost or broken, she can decide if you should use a previous set of aligners, your next set, or if she needs to order replacement aligners for you.

Trident Cosmetic and Family Dentistry’s goal is to help you get that beautiful, healthy smile. Call or click online today to make an appointment with Dr. Gorelik.