Clear Aligners – San Ramon, CA
The Discreet Way to Straighten Your Smile
Maybe you didn’t receive the orthodontic treatment you needed as an adolescent? Perhaps you did have braces, but you forgot to wear your retainer? Whatever the case may be, you are now living with teeth that are crooked and it makes you feel self-conscious. Of course, the thought of wearing metal braces isn’t much better. Did you know there are solutions for busy adults to align their teeth with discretion and efficiency? We offer orthodontics using clear aligners in our San Ramon, CA dental office, and here’s what you should know about innovative Invisalign and SureSmile clear aligner orthodontics systems.
Why Choose Oak Ridge Dental for Clear Aligners?
- Orthodontic Aligners Made from Clear Plastic
- Custom-Tailored Orthodontic Treatment
- Great for Teens & Adults
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Instead of using metal braces to straighten your teeth, clear aligners in San Ramon utilize clear plastic aligners that apply gentle pressure to gradually move your teeth. Because the aligners fit snug, they are virtually invisible, and they don’t interfere with your normal activities or with talking.
You’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day and change them every two weeks in order to achieve your desired results. However, aligners can often be changed at home, which means they require fewer visits to your dentist than traditional braces would.
How Long Does Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment Take to Complete?
Most clear aligner cases move quite efficiently and can typically be completed in 12 to 18 months with excellent patient compliance.
What are the Benefits of Choosing Clear Aligners?
Besides offering patients discretion, SureSmile and Invisalign also offer a number of other benefits for patients including:
- Aligners are comfortable and easy to wear, improving patient compliance
- There are no restrictions to your diet since aligners can easily be removed for eating
- Your home care routine is also simple since you can remove your aligners for brushing and flossing
- Aligners are smooth and don’t cause discomfort or sores like traditional braces tend to do
Who is a Candidate for Clear Aligners?
While clear aligners work well for many patients, they can’t correct complex jaw or bite issues. Dr. Deol is a certified Invisalign and SureSmile provider, and he can determine if one of these clear aligner orthodontic options is right for your needs and tell you exactly how long it will take to complete your treatment.
He will plan your treatment with 3D imaging that will even allow him to show you what your finished smile will look like if you decide to move forward with clear aligner orthodontics.
How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?
The cost of clear aligners varies with each individual case, depending on the length and complexity of the treatment. Dr. Deol can let you know exactly how much your treatment will cost during your clear aligners consultation; however, it is typically comparable with traditional orthodontics.
Many dental insurance plans offer an orthodontic benefit that also includes clear aligner treatment. Our dental insurance coordinator is happy to help you with the details of your benefits.
If you would like to learn more about Invisalign or SureSmile in San Ramon, we encourage you to contact Oak Ridge Dental to schedule your consultation.
Understanding the Cost of Clear Aligners
Clear aligners can help you achieve a healthier, more attractive smile, and they have a number of advantages over traditional braces. But how much will they end up costing? It’s important to get the answer to this question at the very start of the process. During your first consultation, our team members will explain how much you can expect to pay for clear aligners based on the specifics of your case. Here are some of the most important details that you’ll need to keep in mind.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Clear Aligners
The specifics of a given clear aligner treatment depend on the needs of the patient, which is why the overall cost tends to vary. Some of the biggest variables include:
- Complexity of the Treatment: Some patients need more complex orthodontic corrections than others. When it comes to straightening teeth, higher complexity generally means a higher cost.
- The Number of Arches Involved: Does your clear aligner treatment include both the upper and lower arches of teeth or just one of them? In cases where only a single arch is involved, you can normally expect the cost to be lower.
- Compliance: You need to take care to wear your clear aligners for the right amount of time every day, and you should take whatever steps you can to avoid breaking or losing them. If an aligner needs to be replaced, or if issues arise due to aligners not being worn enough, it could ultimately add to the overall cost of your treatment.
Professional VS Over-the-Counter Aligners
With clear aligners, you have a choice between those bought over the counter and those provided by a dental professional. Naturally, store-bought aligners tend to cost less. However, professional clear aligners are generally worth paying for because they’re expertly customized for your smile and tend to have better chances of success. Furthermore, the professional option means that your dentist is directly involved with the process and will be able to help you avoid serious issues.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
Many insurance plans include clear aligners as part of their orthodontic coverage. Of course, with so many different insurance providers to choose from, you can’t expect every plan to be exactly the same. Call your insurance provider to confirm that you can use your benefits to help pay for your clear aligners.
Options for Making Clear Aligners Affordable
While we always do whatever we can to help our patients get the most out of their dental insurance coverage, we also want to make sure that those who don’t have an insurance plan are still able to achieve the smiles they deserve. As such, additional financing is available at our practice. If you speak to one of our team members, you can get more details about the payment plans offered at our practice in San Ramon.
Clear Aligners FAQs
Have a question about clear aligners in San Ramon? You’ll be happy to hear that you’re in the right place! During your consultation, we’d be more than happy to answer any specific questions you have about your journey to straighter teeth. If you want to learn more in the meantime, then keep reading to learn the answers to some frequently asked questions on the topic.
How Long Do Clear Aligners Take?
Clear aligner treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. While it may only take one patient six months, it may take the next 18+ months. With that said, the average timeline is around the 12-month mark. To work through your trays as quickly as possible, it’s important to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day and follow all of your dentist’s instructions. That way, you can avoid accidentally falling off-track with your plan, adding more weeks or months to the back end of your treatment.
Do Clear Aligners Hurt?
It’s true; orthodontic treatment of any kind comes with some discomfort. Fortunately, clear aligners in San Ramon are significantly more comfortable than traditional braces since there aren’t any metal brackets or wires to worry about. Plus, the smooth plastic is designed to fit your teeth perfectly, avoiding annoying irritation to your lips, tongue, and cheeks in the process. If you do experience any soreness or discomfort, try using a cold compress or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
What Happens After Clear Aligner Treatment?
Once you’ve worked through your entire series of trays (and celebrated your new and improved smile!), it will be time to transition to the next phase of your treatment: wearing your retainer. After all, it’s one of the best ways to prevent orthodontic relapse. You’ll simply wear it according to your dentist’s instructions, which is usually at least each evening while you sleep. For the best results, this should be a lifelong best practice.
Can You Eat with Clear Aligners?
While you can’t eat with your aligners in, you can eat whatever you’d like while they are out! Of course, it’s still a good idea to exercise caution with hard, sticky, and crunchy foods since they can damage your teeth or cause one of your attachments to fall off. It’s also smart to keep your consumption of sugary foods and beverages to a minimum since they are one of the biggest culprits of cavities. Lastly, make sure to always place your trays in their designated storage case to avoid accidentally throwing them away or misplacing them.
How Do I Clean My Clear Aligners?
Patients often over-complicate the cleaning process. In reality, it’s as simple as using clean water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your aligners after each meal. If they need a deeper clean because they are starting to look yellow, then you can use your Invisalign cleaning crystals. Don’t, however, use household cleaners, like bleach, to do the job. This can damage the aligners, and the toxins it contains are not safe to ingest
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