Invisalign Clear Aligners in Oakland, CA
East Bay Family Dentistry is a Platinum Invisalign Provider, which means we have treated a high volume of aligner cases. Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, removable trays instead of fixed metal brackets and wires.
Straighter Teeth Without Metal Braces
Each aligner is worn for one to two weeks and moves your teeth a fraction of a millimetre at a time. Because the trays are made of clear plastic, most people will not notice you are wearing them, and because they come out for meals you can eat and brush exactly as you normally would.
Aligners suit a wide range of cases: crowding, spacing, mild to moderate bite problems and relapse after childhood braces. Very complex bite corrections are sometimes better treated with fixed braces, and we will tell you plainly if that is the case for you.
- Clear aligners that are barely visible in conversation
- Removable for eating, brushing and special occasions
- Digital scan and treatment preview before you commit
- Fewer emergency visits than fixed braces
- Retainers provided to hold the final result
- Also available: fixed braces, lingual braces and retainers
Why Patients Prefer Aligners
Discreet at Work
Clear trays mean adults can straighten their teeth without a mouth full of metal in every meeting and every photograph.
Easier to Keep Clean
You take the aligners out to brush and floss normally, which makes it far easier to avoid decay and gum problems during treatment.
No Broken Brackets
There are no wires to snap and no brackets to come loose, so there are fewer unplanned emergency appointments during treatment.
How Invisalign Treatment Works
Assessment & Scan
We check that your teeth and gums are healthy, then take a digital scan and photographs of your bite.
See Your Plan
Using the scan we show you a digital preview of how your teeth are expected to move and roughly how long it should take.
Wear Your Aligners
Each set is worn about 20 to 22 hours a day and swapped for the next one on schedule. You check in with us periodically so we can confirm progress.
Retainers
Once the teeth are in position you wear a retainer to hold them there. Without one, teeth gradually drift back, so this step is not optional.
Getting the Best Result From Aligners
Invisalign is very effective, but unlike fixed braces it depends on you. The aligners only work while they are in your mouth. Patients who wear them the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day finish on schedule; patients who leave them out finish late or not at all.
Treatment time varies with the case. Minor front-tooth crowding can be corrected in a few months, while a full bite correction may take a year or more. We give you a realistic estimate after the scan rather than an optimistic one at the enquiry stage.
- Wear each aligner 20 to 22 hours a day
- Remove for meals and anything other than water
- Clean the trays daily so they stay clear
- Keep up your normal check-ups during treatment
- Wear your retainer afterwards, every night at first
- Smoking stains the aligners as well as the teeth
Invisalign Questions
How long does Invisalign take?
Is Invisalign painful?
Will it affect my speech?
Is Invisalign more expensive than braces?
Can teenagers have Invisalign?
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See If Invisalign Will Work for You
Book a consultation with a Platinum Invisalign Provider in Oakland. We will scan your teeth, show you the likely result, and quote you a clear price.