Clear Aligner Orthodontic

Treatment in West LA

Advanced Orthodontic Technology

At West LA Orthodontics, Dr. J utilizes the latest orthodontic technology to offer the most efficient treatment and achieve the best outcomes for his patients.

What Are Aligners?

Clear Aligners can straighten your teeth and correct malocclusions (jaw misalignments) using a system of clear plastic trays. A revolutionary alternative to traditional metal braces, the aligners can give you a beautiful smile without brackets, wires or frequent tightening. Typically, aligners are worn for 22 hours a day and are only removed to eat and drink (except for water), and to clean and floss your teeth. The treatment plan usually includes switching to a new set of aligners every two weeks to maintain your progress. You will receive several sets of aligners at each checkup, which are scheduled every 2 ½ to 3 months. Each new set will slightly adjust your teeth. With each new set of aligners, you are one step closer to your perfect smile.

Dr. J offers two different types of aligners:

Invisalign®

Over 14 Million people have used Invisalign® to straighten their teeth. The system gently moves your teeth into the correct position using a series of clear plastic trays throughout the duration of your treatment plan.

Learn More About Invisalign

Smile Rx Custom Aligners

Dr. J also offers a proprietary, in-house system of clear aligner treatment which he uses to provide short-term aligner orthodontic treatment with incredible efficiency. The Smile Rx orthodontic aligner system is ideal if you have less complex orthodontic needs and you are on a budget.

Learn More about Smile Rx

Are Aligners Better Than Braces?

Clear aligners are, effectively, removable braces and have a number of advantages over traditional metal braces, such as:

Comfort

Clear plastic aligners are snug fitting and don’t feel bulky and uncomfortable inside your mouth as braces sometimes do. We use our state-of-the-art iTero® Element™ digital scanner to custom-make your aligners so they fit perfectly!

Convenience

You don't need any special tools to keep your teeth clean during clear aligner treatment. It's just a matter of removing your aligners, brushing, flossing, and popping them back into your mouth again. Easy!

Discretion

Clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible, unlike traditional braces which can be quite noticeable. Your friends won’t even know you are wearing them!

What Conditions Can Be Treated with Clear Aligners?

Clear plastic aligners are an effective solution for treating many of the same orthodontic conditions that traditional metal braces are used to correct, such as:

Gapped teeth
Open bite
Crowded teeth
Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite

Invisalign is also a popular treatment option for people who are looking to achieve straighter teeth for general aesthetics. Dr. J is highly skilled and experienced in treating all different kinds of bite issues and misalignments with Invisalign. He sees many patients who are told by another dentist that Invisalign will not help fix their orthodontic issues because their problem is considered too severe. However, Dr. J can create a treatment plan to give you the smile you have always wanted, even for complex cases.

Learn More About Smile Rx

What Happens at My Aligner Appointment?

Dr. J begins your Invisalign process by taking a digital scan of your teeth with our state-of-the-art iTero® Element™ scanner, which uses a small intraoral camera to take a series of digital pictures of your bite, smile and the inside of your mouth.

Next, he uses the digital images and a specialized pre-planning software program to create a virtual model of your teeth, and maps out all of the “steps” necessary to get your smile from its current alignment to your target alignment. He sends this information to a lab that creates a series of clear plastic aligners modeled after each of these steps.

You wear these aligners over your teeth and they exert a small amount of pressure, slowly shifting your teeth towards the next "step" in your orthodontic journey. Invisalign aligners are worn all the time for 22 hours a day except when you brush, floss, eat or drink (except for water). Your aligners are changed every two weeks until your teeth and jaw are aligned properly and your dream smile is achieved.

How Long Do You Wear Aligners?

The speed at which Invisalign works is one of its most important benefits. You'll start seeing progress just a few weeks after starting treatment, which typically takes between 12 and 18 months. Don’t wait to get the smile you’ve always wanted! Schedule your Invisalign appointment today by calling the West LA Orthodontics office or request an appointment below.

Learn More About Smile Rx