Invisalign

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.

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.

Golden State Smiles 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 (San Leandro) 510-351-6820, (Concord) 925-827-2798, 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!

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.

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 Golden State Smiles, 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 (San Leandro) 510-351-6820, (Concord) 925-827-2798, or request an appointment online to come into the dental office of Golden State Smiles. 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!

Most patients don't know this, but you can use at-home whitening solution in your Invisalign^® aligners to whiten your teeth at the same time you are straightening them! The Invisalign^® aligners are already custom-fitted to your teeth which will allow the whitening solution to evenly spread along the surfaces of your teeth much better than the "boil-and-fit" trays that most home whitening kits provide. Just don't forget to rinse off the whitening solution after the recommended application time.

As with every dental procedure, the current condition of your teeth will play a role in determining just how long treatment will take.

For best results, we recommend you wear your Invisalign^® aligners for 20-22 hours per day throughout the entire treatment process. In most cases, adults can experience full treatment and a straight smile in as little as one year. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces.

The total time you wear your Invisalign^® aligners will seem to fly by since you will be able to see your smile literally transform every time you change to the next set of aligners.

Invisalign^® is clear and practically invisible.

• Unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings
• No metal wires or bands to irritate your mouth
• Most people won't notice you're wearing aligners

Over one million patients, many whom are adults, have benefited from Invisalign^®. Invisalign^® offers the clinical outcomes people want, all with a removable appliance that's virtually undetectable when worn. It's an ideal solution for the majority of adults.

Lunch with friends? Popcorn at the movies? The sports you love? With removable clear aligners, you can continue to enjoy your favorite meals AND keep playing the sports you love – no timeouts needed.

Invisalign Teen - has all the features of Invisalign Full, plus:

• Indicators track the teen's approximate wear time and help provide reassurance for parents that the aligners have enough on-time to work their magic.
• Six free individual replacement aligners are included with Invisalign Teen to replace lost or broken aligners.
• It's not unusual for teens to present for treatment with erupting permanent dentition, so Invisalign Teen has been engineered with a feature to help prevent supra-eruption of the second molars.

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.