You can get clear aligners in Huntington Park at our office on Gage Avenue. They straighten teeth without the metal, with fewer office visits. You wear a series of clear trays you take out to eat, and each new set moves your teeth a little further. First comes an exam to see whether aligners are a good fit.
Are aligners right for your teeth?
Aligners are often used to straighten crowded teeth or close gaps between them. They don’t suit every case, though, and you can’t tell from the mirror whether they’ll work for yours.
At the exam, we’ll look at how your teeth line up and how they meet when you bite. If there’s a cavity or another problem, fixing it usually comes first. Dr. Livier Mora, a UCLA-educated dentist who grew up in this community, is known for laying out every option before any work is done. You can talk it all through in English or Spanish.
How do clear aligners work?
The trays fit snugly and press gently on your teeth, nudging them in a planned direction. You wear each set for as long as your plan calls for, then move on to the next, and your teeth shift in small steps rather than all at once. Start to finish, the process looks something like this:
- An exam and a talk about what you’d like to change
- A plan that spells out the price
- Checkups along the way to see how your teeth are moving
- A retainer at the end to hold your teeth in their new position
Day to day with aligners
Aligners only move teeth while you’re wearing them. Plan on keeping them in most of the day and night, and taking them out to eat or to drink anything but water. A few habits make it easier:
- Brush before you put the trays back in, to keep food from getting trapped against your teeth
- Rinse the trays whenever they come out, and clean them gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water
- Keep the case with you: a tray wrapped in a napkin is easy to throw away by mistake
- Carry a travel toothbrush for meals away from home
Your regular teeth cleanings still matter while you’re in aligners, too.
Once your teeth are straight
Teeth tend to drift back toward where they started, which is why you’ll wear a retainer once treatment ends. We’ll tell you how often. It’s worth sticking with, because it protects the work you’ve already put in.
If you’d like a brighter shade afterward, ask us about teeth whitening.
Paying for clear aligners
Aligner treatment doesn’t have one set price, because it depends on what your teeth need. CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread out the cost for patients who are approved.
Insurance isn’t required. Whatever brings you in, a new patient’s first visit is $75 (regular price $149) for a full exam with digital X-rays. It doesn’t include a cleaning. You’ll hear the price of anything after that, aligners included, before it begins.
Before you start aligners
Do clear aligners hurt?
They can feel tight for a day or two each time you switch to a new set. That’s normal, and the pressure usually eases on its own. If an edge rubs your cheek or tongue, let us know instead of putting up with it.
Will people notice I’m wearing aligners?
Most people won’t notice them in everyday conversation, since the trays are clear and fit closely over your teeth. You might talk with a slight lisp for the first few days, but it tends to fade as your tongue gets used to them.
Can I drink coffee with my aligners in?
It’s best to take them out first. Hot drinks can warp the trays, and coffee and tea can stain them. While the trays are in, plain water is the safe choice.
How long does aligner treatment take?
That comes down to how far your teeth need to move. We can give you a better idea after your exam, and wearing the trays as directed helps keep things on track.
How often will I need to come in?
Your plan sets the schedule, but aligners take fewer office visits. You’ll come in now and then so we can check your progress, and we’ll find times that work for you.
Will my dental insurance help pay for aligners?
Some plans cover part of orthodontic treatment and others don’t, so it depends on yours. Most PPO dental plans are accepted here. When you call, tell us which one you have.
To find out whether aligners can straighten your teeth, call our office at (323) 581-2603. Or, if it’s easier, send a request through the form below. We’ll call you to settle on a time, usually within one business day, and until then it isn’t a confirmed appointment. Same-week visits are often possible.