Orthodontics
Invisalign in Los Angeles
Straightening, without the hardware.
Clear aligners are the modern alternative to metal braces, and they suit adult life considerably better. Dr. Kourosh Yousefzadeh and Dr. Razmik Galustian are certified Invisalign providers at Smile LA Downtown Modern Dentistry, and the consultation is complimentary.
How it works
How Invisalign works
A series of clear, removable aligners gradually shifts your teeth into position. They are made from an advanced medical-grade polymer and are close to invisible in normal conversation. The sequence is not guesswork: 3D imaging builds the whole treatment plan before the first aligner is made, so each one in the series moves your teeth by a known amount and the finish point is designed rather than arrived at. That is also why the aligners come as a set. Each is shaped to the position the last one left your teeth in, which is what makes wearing them on schedule matter more than it does with most treatment — the plan assumes each stage has actually happened before the next begins.
Why patients choose it over braces
- Virtually invisible No metal brackets, no wires. You can smile through the treatment rather than around it.
- Removable Take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss. Nothing about your normal routine has to change.
- Comfortable and efficient Designed for minimal irritation compared with fixed braces, with fewer office visits and often a shorter overall treatment.
- Fast results Many patients get their new smile in as little as six months — often comparable to, or faster than, traditional braces.
Wearing them
Wearing them properly
The results depend more on you than on us, and three habits carry most of it.
- Full-time wear About 22 hours a day, out only for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. Water is the only thing you can drink with them in.
- Change on schedule A new aligner every one to two weeks, as directed. If a new one does not fit properly, stay on the current aligner another 24 to 48 hours before switching — and tell us if the problem persists.
- Use chewies Three times a day, two minutes a session, so each aligner seats properly against your teeth.
Cleaning and troubleshooting
- Daily cleaning A soft toothbrush and dish soap, or a soak in cold water with a Retainer Brite tablet. Never hot water — it warps the aligner.
- If an attachment comes off Keep wearing the aligners and contact us for guidance.
- If you lose or damage one Move to the next in the series. A nail file will smooth any rough edge that is irritating you.
- Keep up your cleanings Every three months during treatment, which protects both your oral health and the result.
Is it right for you?
Invisalign suits patients with fully developed adult teeth and completed jaw growth. It effectively addresses crowded teeth, gaps and spacing, general misalignment, and overbite, underbite and crossbite.
Cost
Pricing is transparent and there are financing options. We will go through your treatment plan and what it costs at the consultation, before anything is scheduled. See financing and insurance.
The short answer
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth with a series of clear, removable aligners instead of metal brackets and wires. The whole plan is built with 3D imaging, and each aligner is worn about 22 hours a day and changed every one to two weeks as it moves the teeth by a set amount. It treats crowding, gaps and spacing, general misalignment, and overbite, underbite and crossbite in patients with fully developed adult teeth and completed jaw growth.
Invisalign FAQ
- How long does treatment take?
- Many patients achieve their new smile in as little as six months with Invisalign, often comparable to or faster than traditional braces. Your own timeline comes out of the 3D treatment plan, which is built before the first aligner is made. The plan sets how far each aligner moves your teeth and where treatment finishes. Wearing the aligners as directed is what keeps treatment on that timeline.
- How many hours a day do I have to wear them?
- Invisalign aligners are worn about 22 hours a day. They come out only to eat, drink, brush and floss, and water is the only thing you can drink with them in. Each aligner is shaped to the position the last one left your teeth in, so the plan assumes each stage has actually happened. Wearing them less than directed means the next aligner may not fit as planned.
- How often do I change aligners?
- Aligners are changed every one to two weeks, as directed for your treatment plan. If a new aligner does not fit properly, keep wearing the current one for another 24 to 48 hours before switching. If the problem keeps happening, contact the office so the fit can be checked. Using chewies three times a day helps each aligner seat properly against your teeth.
- Can Invisalign fix my bite?
- Yes, Invisalign can treat bite problems including overbite, underbite and crossbite. It also addresses crowded teeth, gaps and spacing, and general misalignment. The 3D treatment plan maps how the teeth move to correct the bite before the first aligner is made. Whether your own bite suits aligner treatment is assessed at the consultation.
- Is it suitable for teenagers?
- Invisalign is ideal for patients with fully developed adult teeth and completed jaw growth. Whether a teenager has reached that point varies from person to person rather than by age alone. That is exactly what the consultation establishes, and the consultation is complimentary. If treatment suits, the plan is then built with 3D imaging.
- How do I clean the aligners?
- Clean the aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and dish soap, or soak them in cold water with a Retainer Brite tablet. Never use hot water, because it warps the aligners. Take them out to brush and floss as usual, so your normal routine does not have to change. Regular cleanings every three months during treatment also protect your oral health and the result.
- What if I lose an aligner?
- If you lose or damage an aligner, move to the next one in the series and let the office know. A nail file will smooth any rough edge on an aligner that is irritating you. If an attachment falls off, keep wearing the aligners and contact the office for guidance. The office can then advise on what happens next in your series.
