Historically people bothered by crooked, crowded or badly spaced teeth had very few treatment options. Achieving a straight and well-aligned smile required spending two or more years wearing noticeable metal braces.
Nowadays, advances in dental and orthodontic technology have led to the development of Invisalign, a popular teeth straightening system that delivers results quickly and inconspicuously. Invisalign® patients wear a series of upper and lower aligners, which gradually shift the teeth into the desired position.
Individuals seeking Invisalign® in Palo Alto trust the cosmetic dentistry team at Kris Hamamoto D.D.S & Associates for extraordinary results and exceptional patient care.
Are You a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign® might be a good option for you if you are an older teenager or adult embarrassed by crooked, crowded, gapped or otherwise poorly aligned teeth. Your mouth should be healthy and free of cavities, decay, gum disease and other oral health problems. Ideally, your orthodontic problems should be mild to moderate in nature; more extensive problems usually require alternative orthodontic treatment. You should be able and willing to follow our dentists’ advice on wearing and caring for the Invisalign® aligners. If you cannot commit to following instructions and wearing the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day, you will not achieve your desired outcomes, and we may recommend you wear fixed orthodontic braces instead.
Treatment Details
The first step of the Invisalign® treatment process is a consultation with one of our Palo Alto Invisalign® dentists, who will evaluate your teeth and mouth to determine whether Invisalign® is right for you.
If so, we will take photographs and impressions of your teeth. This information is sent to the Invisalign® laboratory that constructs your personalized aligners. You will receive the first set of aligners a few weeks later. You should wear the aligners for most of the day, removing them to eat, drink and brush your teeth. They are made from a clear plastic that is very comfortable and discreet; no one will be able to tell you are wearing the aligners.
You will wear each set of aligners for approximately two weeks; then, you will swap the set out for the next set in the sequence. This sequence is specifically laid out to move your teeth in small increments toward the desired position and alignment.
Total treatment time takes about a year to 18 months, during which patients wear between 10 and 20 sets of aligners. However, your total treatment time and number of aligners will depend on your teeth and the extent of correction needed.
Life after Invisalign
After you have achieved your desired results with Invisalign, we might recommend fitting you for a retainer. This retainer may be removable or cemented to the back of your teeth where it is not noticeable. The retainer can help you enjoy your straight, perfectly aligned teeth for many years. Ask us about your retainer options during your Invisalign® consultation.
Schedule an Invisalign® Consultation
If you would like more information about straightening your teeth discreetly, our Palo Alto Invisalign® dentists would be happy to sit down with you and discuss treatment. Call or email our office today to book an appointment.
