Invisalign in Loma Linda, CA | Coral Cove Dental

Invisalign in Loma Linda, CA: Straighten Your Smile Without Braces

Want a straighter smile but hesitant about spending months with metal brackets and wires? Invisalign® clear aligners offer an alternative for many teens and adults who want to improve the alignment of their teeth with a removable, less noticeable treatment.

At Coral Cove Dental, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Gladvin and our team provide Invisalign treatment in our Loma Linda office. We begin by evaluating your teeth, bite, oral health, and treatment goals to determine whether clear aligners are appropriate for you. If they are, we'll explain what treatment may involve and what you can expect along the way.

If you're considering Invisalign in Loma Linda, call us at (909) 796-6447 to schedule a consultation. We're welcoming new patients and would be happy to discuss your options.

Quick Takeaways

• Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to gradually move your teeth.
• Aligners are removable, allowing you to eat, brush, and floss without working around brackets and wires.
• Invisalign may address concerns such as crowding, spacing, and certain bite problems, although candidacy varies by person.
• Treatment time depends on the amount and type of tooth movement needed and how consistently aligners are worn.
• Most people need to wear their aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours each day for treatment to progress as planned.
• Your consultation allows us to evaluate your smile and determine whether Invisalign or another orthodontic approach is appropriate.
• Invisalign treatment is available at Coral Cove Dental in Loma Linda, CA.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually reposition your teeth. Each aligner is designed to make specific movements before you transition to the next one in the series.

Because the aligners are removable and made from clear material, they can be less noticeable than traditional braces. You can also take them out for meals and your normal oral hygiene routine.

Invisalign treatment is planned around your individual tooth positions and bite. The goal isn't simply to make your front teeth look straighter. Proper treatment planning considers how your upper and lower teeth come together and how the teeth should be positioned once treatment is complete.

What Can Invisalign Treat?

Clear aligners can be used for a range of alignment and bite concerns. Depending on the complexity of your case, Invisalign may be used to address:

• Crowded teeth: When teeth overlap or there isn't enough space for them to align properly
• Gaps between teeth: When there is excess space between individual teeth
• Certain overbites: When the upper teeth extend too far over the lower teeth
• Certain underbites: When the lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth
• Crossbites: When some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite down
• Open bites: When some upper and lower teeth don't meet properly

Clear aligners aren't appropriate for every orthodontic concern. Some complex tooth movements or bite problems may be better managed with traditional braces or another treatment approach.

That's why we evaluate your individual bite and tooth positions before recommending Invisalign. If another option would provide a more predictable result, we'll explain that with you rather than recommending clear aligners simply because they're popular.

Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Many teens and adults can benefit from Invisalign, but candidacy depends on more than whether your teeth are crooked.

During your consultation, we consider:

• The amount and type of tooth movement needed
• Your bite and how your upper and lower teeth fit together
• The health of your teeth and gums
• Your ability to wear the aligners consistently
• Any existing dental work that may affect treatment
• Your goals for the final result

Good oral health is important before and during orthodontic treatment. If you have untreated cavities, active gum disease, or another dental concern, we may recommend addressing that first.

Your willingness to wear the aligners as directed also matters. Because Invisalign is removable, treatment relies on consistent wear. If you don't think removable aligners will fit comfortably into your routine, we'll discuss other options with you.

What Is the Invisalign Treatment Process?

Your Invisalign treatment begins with an evaluation and continues through a series of planned aligners. While the exact process varies by case, you can generally expect several stages.

1. Consultation and Evaluation

We start by discussing what you'd like to change about your smile and examining your teeth and bite. We may also take photographs, X-rays, or digital scans as needed to evaluate your oral health and plan treatment.

This appointment is also your opportunity to ask questions about Invisalign and learn whether clear aligners are appropriate for your situation.

2. Digital Treatment Planning

If Invisalign is a good fit, digital scans can be used to create a detailed model of your teeth. Your treatment plan maps out the intended tooth movements and the sequence of aligners needed to achieve the planned result.

We'll review the proposed treatment with you so you understand what we're recommending before moving forward.

3. Receiving Your Aligners

Your custom aligners are made based on your treatment plan. At your fitting appointment, we'll show you how to insert, remove, clean, and care for them.

You'll also receive instructions about how long to wear each aligner before moving to the next one.

4. Wearing Your Aligners

For Invisalign to work as planned, you need to wear your aligners consistently. Most people are instructed to wear them for approximately 20 to 22 hours each day, removing them primarily for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing and flossing.

Your provider will give you specific instructions based on your treatment plan.

5. Progress Visits

We'll schedule periodic appointments to check how your teeth are responding to treatment and make sure your progress is tracking appropriately.

If additional refinement aligners are needed, we can address that as part of your treatment plan.

6. Retention After Treatment

Once your teeth reach their planned positions, you'll need a retainer to help maintain your results.

Teeth naturally have a tendency to shift over time, so wearing your retainer according to our instructions is an important part of maintaining your new alignment.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

There isn't one treatment timeline that applies to everyone. The amount of time you need to wear Invisalign depends on the complexity of your case and how much tooth movement is required.

Factors that can influence your treatment time include:

• The severity of crowding or spacing
• The type of bite correction needed
• How consistently you wear your aligners
• Whether additional refinement aligners are needed
• How your teeth respond to treatment

Some straightforward cases can be completed relatively quickly, while more involved cases require longer treatment.

We'll provide an individualized estimate after evaluating your teeth and bite rather than relying on a general timeline.

What Is It Like to Wear Invisalign?

One of the main differences between Invisalign and traditional braces is that the aligners are removable.

You can remove them when you eat, which means you don't have to avoid particular foods because of brackets or wires. You can also brush and floss your teeth normally without navigating around orthodontic hardware.

You will need to adjust to wearing the aligners for most of the day, however. Some people notice temporary pressure or tightness when beginning a new set of aligners. This is expected as the aligners apply controlled forces to move the teeth.

Because the trays are removable, consistency is especially important. Taking them out for long periods can interfere with your planned tooth movements and may extend treatment.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Both Invisalign and traditional braces can move teeth and improve certain bite problems, but they work differently and may be appropriate for different situations.

Invisalign

• Uses clear, removable aligners
• Aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing
• Requires consistent daily wear, usually about 20 to 22 hours per day
• Is generally less noticeable during treatment
• May be appropriate for many mild to moderate alignment concerns

Traditional Braces

• Use brackets and wires that remain attached throughout treatment
• May require avoiding certain foods that could damage the brackets or wires
• Do not depend on remembering to put the appliance back in after eating
• Are more visible during treatment
• Can address a broad range of orthodontic movements

The best option depends on your teeth, bite, oral health, lifestyle, and treatment goals. During your consultation, we'll help you understand which approach makes the most sense for your situation.

Why Choose Coral Cove Dental for Invisalign?

Choosing where to receive Invisalign treatment is about more than the aligners themselves. You want a dental team that understands your overall oral health and can explain your treatment clearly.

At Coral Cove Dental, Invisalign treatment is provided within our Loma Linda dental practice. That means your orthodontic care can be considered alongside your general and cosmetic dental needs.

Our approach includes:

• Personalized treatment planning: We evaluate your individual alignment, bite, oral health, and goals before recommending treatment.
• Comprehensive dental care: Your Invisalign treatment can be considered as part of your overall dental health rather than in isolation.
• Clear communication: We explain what we're recommending and what you'll need to do throughout treatment.
• A local Loma Linda office: You can receive your care close to home from a team you're already familiar with.
• A comfortable environment: We want you to feel informed and comfortable asking questions at every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat normally while wearing Invisalign?

You should remove your aligners before eating. This allows you to continue eating your usual foods without the dietary restrictions that can come with traditional braces.

After eating, brush your teeth when possible before putting your aligners back in.

Can I drink with Invisalign?

Water is generally fine while wearing your aligners. You should remove them for other drinks, particularly beverages that contain sugar or can stain the aligners.

Follow the cleaning and wear instructions provided by your dental team.

Will people be able to see my Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign aligners are made from clear plastic and are designed to be less noticeable than traditional braces. However, they aren't completely invisible, and their appearance can vary depending on the fit and individual characteristics of your teeth.

Does Invisalign hurt?

You may notice pressure, tightness, or mild soreness when you first begin wearing a new set of aligners. This can happen because the aligners are designed to apply controlled forces to your teeth.

If you experience significant or persistent discomfort, let us know so we can determine whether an adjustment is needed.

Can adults get Invisalign?

Yes. Invisalign can be an option for many adults as well as teens. Age alone does not determine candidacy. Your oral health, tooth position, bite, and ability to follow the treatment plan are more important factors.

How many hours a day do I need to wear Invisalign?

Most people are instructed to wear their aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours each day. You'll remove them primarily for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing and flossing.

Consistent wear is important for keeping treatment on schedule.

What happens after Invisalign treatment?

Once active treatment is complete, you'll need to wear a retainer to help maintain your tooth positions. We'll explain your retention plan and how often to wear your retainer.

How do I know if Invisalign is right for me?

The best way to find out is through an examination and consultation. We'll evaluate your teeth and bite, discuss what you'd like to change, and explain whether Invisalign or another treatment option is appropriate.

Ready to Explore Invisalign in Loma Linda?

If you've been considering a straighter smile but don't want traditional braces, Invisalign may be worth exploring. At Coral Cove Dental, we'll start with an evaluation of your teeth, bite, and oral health so you can understand your options before deciding on treatment.

Call us at (909) 796-6447 to schedule your Invisalign consultation at our Loma Linda office, or request an appointment online.