Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners can handle nearly all typical teeth-straightening issues.

Having crooked, crowded or gapped teeth can be embarrassing, sometimes painful and often uncomfortable. Generally speaking, when you speak to a dentist, he or she may recommend treating your orthodontic problem with years of uncomfortable and unattractive metal braces. This is the biggest distraction for patients to fix their teeth and enjoy a perfectly aligned smile but here at Life Smiles Dental Care, we want you to know there is a modern way to straighten teeth and even correct misaligned bites without the use of traditional braces. We use Invisalign®!

If you have gapped teeth, an overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite or overly crowded teeth, Invisalign® may work for you! Call us at (La Jolla) 858-455-7777, (Chula Vista) 619-482-5555, or (El Cajon) 619-441-8000 or request an appointment online to come into the Chula Vista dental office of Life Smiles Dental Care. We would love to be able to discuss an Invisalign® plan specific to you and get you well on your way to a beautiful straight smile!

Man hiding his smile

Misaligned Bite

Class I - A malocclusion where the bite is okay and the top teeth line up with the bottom teeth, but the teeth are crooked, crowded or turned.

Over Bite

Class II - A malocclusion where the upper teeth stick out past the lower teeth commonly referred to as an "over bite," "over jet," "deep bite" or "buck teeth."

Under Bite

Class III - A malocclusion where the lower teeth stick out past the upper teeth called an "under bite".

Posterior Cross Bite

A posterior cross bite can appear at an early age; and depending on its cause (mal-positioned teeth or misaligned jaws,) treatment may be warranted early. It can involve one or both sides of the molar area and in some cases it can cause a "shift" of the bite. Many appliances are available for treating the condition. Your dentist will discuss in detail the risks and benefits of treating a posterior cross bite.

Invisalign® FAQ's

How much is Invisalign?

It's a common misconception; patents think that Invisalign is more expensive than regular braces, but in the majority of cases pricing is about the same. If you are interested in learning more about the cost of Invisalign, you can call the office and book a free consultation.

What do aligners look like?

Aligners are clear and nearly invisible. If you've ever seen clear teeth-whitening trays, that should give you a good idea of what the aligners look like. Invisalign® aligners are custom-made to fit and move your teeth.

Will the treatment be painful?

Each time you change to a new aligner, there may be some temporary discomfort while your teeth adjust to their new position. This is completely normal, and is a good sign that the treatment is working.

Will wearing Invisalign® aligners affect my speech?

Some people are affected more than others, but most adjust in a short period of time to the feeling of the aligners and do not have permanent changes in their speech.

How often will I have to wear my aligners?

Invisalign® only works while you're wearing the aligners. It's recommended that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night, except to eat, brush, and floss your teeth.

What happens after treatment to prevent my teeth from moving again?

This varies person to person and depends on the outcome of the treatment. Some patients might need a positioner, or conventional retainer. Other patients might need a clear plastic retainer.

Hand holding invisalign

Invisalign to the Rescue

Invisalign® corrects many orthodontic issues without the hassles of traditional braces. This means no unattractive metal wire, no uncomfortable glued-on brackets and no annoying rubber bands that can leave your mouth sore. Invisalign® uses a series of clear and custom-fit removable aligners; we are able to straighten your teeth in no time. In most cases, Invisalign® treatment takes about a year.

Did we mention Invisalign® is removable?

Because the aligners used in the Invisalign® treatment process are removable, you can eat the foods you love to eat (steak, corn and bubble-gum don't mix well with traditional braces). Additionally, when you need to brush and floss, you don't have to buy special tooth brushes and flossers designed to fit between the wires and brackets of braces. The full course of treatment involves changing the Invisalign® aligners approximately every two weeks, moving your teeth into straighter position step-by-step, until you have a more beautiful smile.

Woman using invisalign

The Invisalign Process

  1. Treatment Plan
    We will thoroughly evaluate the condition of your teeth by visual inspection as well as taking precise radiographs. This will allow us to determine how to best position your teeth, step-by-step throughout the Invisalign process.
  2. Custom Aligners
    A high-tech Invisalign lab designs a series of clear Invisalign aligners based upon the exact requirements needed to treat your specific case.
  3. Wear A New Aligner Every 2 Weeks
    Depending on your specific situation, the exact time between changing aligners can vary but generally speaking, you will wear your aligners every day (about 20-22 hours a day) and start wearing the next set of aligners approximately every two weeks.
  4. The Big Reveal
    During the final days of wearing your last aligner, congratulations; you have now achieved the beautiful straight smile you were after! IT IS POSSIBLE. Call us at (La Jolla) 858-455-7777, (Chula Vista) 619-482-5555, or (El Cajon) 619-441-8000 and let Life Smiles Dental Care prove to you that Invisalign can work for you.

How Affordable is Invisalign?

The total cost of Invisalign® treatment is similar to that of traditional braces. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign® treatment just as they would with regular metal braces. Every unique case has many different factors that can all affect total treatment cost so it's extremely difficult to put a price tag on custom treatment plans.

Life Smiles Dental Care can do all the leg-work for you and will check with your dental insurance provider to see just how much they will cover.

Call our office at (La Jolla) 858-455-7777, (Chula Vista) 619-482-5555, or (El Cajon) 619-441-8000 or request an appointment and come in to be evaluated. Only then will we be able to quote an Invisalign® treatment plan, work with your insurance and talk about available payment options. We will make sure there is no guessing and you know how much your specific treatment will be. Most patients are amazed at just how affordable and easy it is to obtain a straighter smile!

Piggy Bank

Schedule An Appointment

Life Smiles Dental Care would love to meet you and your family and provide you with the dental care you need and give you all smiles you deserve!

By Phone

La Jolla 858-455-7777
Chula Vista 619-482-5555
El Cajon 619-441-8000
OR

Online