Orthodontics & Aligners
Invisalign®
Invisalign® clear aligners move your teeth a little at a time, and you take them out to eat.
Invisalign® treatment uses a series of clear, removable trays. Each one is shaped slightly differently from the last, so wearing them in order walks your teeth toward where they should be. You change to the next set about every one to two weeks, depending on the plan.
We scan your teeth digitally and you see the projected sequence on screen before you commit to anything — where each tooth starts, where it is expected to finish, and roughly how many trays that takes. If the plan does not look worth it to you, that is a perfectly reasonable place to stop.
The catch is wear time. Aligners work about twenty to twenty-two hours a day, which means they are in while you sleep, in at work, and out only for meals and cleaning. People who wear them as directed finish close to the projection. People who do not, do not — that is the honest version.
Is this right for me?
- Your teeth are crowded, spaced, or have shifted back after braces years ago.
- You would rather not have fixed brackets visible for the length of treatment.
- You can realistically keep trays in for twenty hours a day, most days.
What to expect
Scan and plan
A digital scan, photos and X-rays. You see the projected movement on screen and we talk through what is realistic in your case before any trays are ordered.
Attachments
Small tooth-colored bumps are bonded to some teeth so the trays have something to push against. They come off at the end and no tooth is cut.
Wearing the trays
Twenty to twenty-two hours a day. Out for meals and for anything other than water. Clean them whenever you brush.
Check-ins
We see you every six to eight weeks to confirm the teeth are tracking with the plan. If a tooth is lagging, catching it early is what avoids a restart.
Retainers
Teeth drift back for the rest of your life without retention. Retainers are not an upsell at the end; they are the part that keeps the result.
Your comfort
Each new tray feels tight for a day or so — that pressure is the treatment working. Changing to a new set in the evening means you sleep through the tightest part. Most people find the first week the strangest for speech, then stop noticing.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
How long does Invisalign® treatment take?
It depends entirely on how far the teeth have to move — simple cases can be a matter of months, more complex ones considerably longer. Your scan gives us a projection specific to you, and we will show you that rather than quote an average.
Will it hurt?
Pressure and tenderness for a day or two after each new tray is normal and expected. Sharp pain is not — call us if that happens, because it usually means an edge needs smoothing.
Can I drink coffee with them in?
Water only. Hot drinks can warp the plastic, and anything with color will stain the trays and sit against your teeth. Take them out, drink, rinse, put them back.
Invisalign® treatment or braces?
Aligners suit many cases and are removable, which helps with cleaning. Some bite corrections and larger movements are still handled more predictably with fixed braces. We will tell you which your case is, including when braces are the better answer.
What if I lose a tray?
Call us. Usually you go back to the previous tray so the teeth do not drift while a replacement is arranged. Do not skip ahead to the next one on your own.
Does insurance help?
Many plans include an orthodontic benefit, sometimes a lifetime maximum rather than an annual one, and it often applies to aligners as well as braces. We check yours and put the numbers in writing before you start.
Related services
Thinking about Invisalign®?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.