Invisalign & Clear Aligners

Yes, you will be pleased to know that if you are eligible and your plan has an orthodontic benefit, you can apply it to the total cost of Invisalign® Clear Braces just like traditional braces. Our dentists are experts in this area, having helped thousands of patients get clear braces treatment in La Mesa, El Cajon, San Diego, and beyond. We will be sure you get the maximum insurance benefit you are allowed from your plan. Each plan is different, but our special computer programs can help let you know how much benefit you can expect. We also have special financing, some even with 0% interest, and payment plans to help cover the difference.

Obviously not all situations of crowding can be handled with Invisalign clear braces, but you will be excited to learn that Dr. Gray has tremendous experience in this area, and has found that 80% or more of adult patients are candidates. The more cases we treat the more amazed I am at just how versatile the aligners can be for even the most complex situations. You will learn for sure at your initial consultation if you are a candidate to receive straight teeth through the Invisalign clear braces system. If Dr. Gray determines that Invisalign may not be your best option, he also works closely with highly skilled traditional orthodontists that may be able to help you with a combination of traditional braces and Invisalign.

The cases with Invisalign clear braces we have been seeing in the office here in La Mesa on average have been finishing in the 9-12 month range for moderately complex situations. Less complex cases often finish in 6-9 months and conversely, severely complicated cases may take longer. The great thing is that most traditional braces tend to take between 18-24 months. So Invisalign not only allows you the comfort and flexibility to take them out when you eat and clean your teeth, but Invisalign is generally 30-40% faster than traditional braces. The best thing is that with the clear aligners, most of your friends won't even notice you are wearing them until they see that beautiful new smile with straight teeth and wonder what happened.

That is a great question because by far, the majority of the patients we see are in this category. Most adults had braces as kids, and now see that their once beautifully straight teeth are shifting or overlapping because they didn't wear or they lost their retainer. It is natural for our teeth to shift over time if things aren't perfectly balanced. This situation is almost what Invisalign clear braces were designed for. People tend to remember how goofy they looked or what a hassle the metal braces were as kids, and although they want straight teeth now, they don't want to go through traditional braces again. Instead, they suffer with a smile that while it's not bad, it nags their self-confidence or makes it harder to brush and floss them. Crowded or overlapped teeth also tend to get more stain and discoloration. So not only will Invisalign clear braces help your smile look better, it could help your mouth to be cleaner and healthier.

Generally the minimum age for Invisalign clear braces is about 14 years old. You need to have your second or 12-year molars fully erupted for Invisalign to work best. Dr. Gray can determine if Invisalign is right for your child at the initial consultation.

In 80% or more of the situations, Invisalign clear braces can be an excellent choice for this problem. Dr. Gray has treated a large number of patients with deep bites or overbites with wonderful results. Invisalign often uses small tooth-colored composite buttons, that are placed on specific teeth, to allow the aligners to reposition the bite to a more natural and pleasing position throughout the treatment time.

Most adults have had a dental crown or two by the time they decide to try Invisalign clear braces. So generally it is not a major issue. Depending on where the bridge is and what your goals are, a bridge may have some effect on the treatment. Luckily, Invisalign offers Dr. Gray the flexibility to move some teeth while not moving others. With the experience he has, we can often work around or incorporate the bridge into the needed movements resulting in straight teeth for the entire mouth. You can find out for sure at your complimentary consultation.

TMJ actually is the jaw joint itself, so everyone actually has TMJ. But I think what you are referring to is pain or discomfort in the joint. Some people with severe joint pain or dysfunction may be more affected by the Invisalign clear braces process, but in many cases, having the bite aligned and balanced properly may actually significantly relieve your symptoms. Dr. Gray is very experienced in this area, and in fact is a Clinical Instructor at the Kois Center in Seattle, where he teaches other dentists from around the U.S. how to work with and rebuild patients mouths, to ensure a solid balanced bite that is comfortable.

Perhaps when it was first introduced, we tried to limit our use of Invisalign clear braces to simpler issues. But now after nearly a decade of use and hundreds of thousands of patients undergoing treatment, we have found that Invisalign can handle nearly any situation. This includes more complex situations from crossbites to crowding and even big gaps between teeth. Invisalign clear braces are a great alternative to traditional braces to achieve straight teeth, even for very complex cases.