Clear Aligners

If you have crowded or crooked teeth or a malpositioned bite, clear aligners can restore balance to your smile. At Livewell Dental in Santa Ana, California, James Sung, DDS, and the team use clear aligners to correct various alignment problems in teenagers and adults. To request a consultation for yourself or your child, call the office today or book online.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners are a dental subspecialty that diagnoses and treats alignment problems affecting the teeth and/or jaw. Traditionally, orthodontics used metal brackets, archwires, and rubber bands, but thanks to advances in treatment, it’s possible to achieve the same results with clear, removable aligners.

The removable aligners fit over your upper or lower dental arch and put mild pressure on your teeth and jaw. 

What types of alignment problems can clear aligners correct?

At Livewell Dental, the team uses clear alginers to treat alignment problems, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowding
• Overlapping teeth
• Misaligned jaw
• Gaps between teeth

You might also be a candidate for clear aligners if you have a crossbite, overbite, or underbite.

What does clear aligner treatment involve?

At Livewell Dental, clear aligner treatment begins with a review of your dental records, oral exam, and series of digital X-rays. If your provider determines you can benefit from treatment, they take digital impressions of your mouth with an intraoral scanner.

Your Livewell Dental provider uploads the impressions to a computer program and develops a custom orthodontic treatment plan, mapping out the precise movements of your teeth and jaw. After finalizing the treatment plan, your provider transfers your impressions to the in-house 3D printer and creates a pair of custom clear aligners.

During treatment, you return to Livewell Dental every few weeks. At each clear aligner checkup, your provider monitors your progress and provides a new pair of clear aligners. Each pair of new aligners places slightly different pressure on your teeth and jaw, changing their position.

How long does treatment with clear aligners take?

The time that treatment with clear aligners takes depends on the orthodontic problems addressed and your commitment to the team’s treatment plan. Most people have a more balanced and symmetrical smile within 12-18 months*, but it may take longer. Be patient, follow the team’s instructions, and attend each scheduled visit.

Are clear aligners painful?

Orthodontics treatment is safe and typically well-tolerated, but clear aligners take some getting used to. In the first few days of treatment, it’s normal to experience increased tooth and jaw sensitivity. Taking over-the-counter pain medication or applying an ice pack to your cheek should provide relief.

Call Livewell Dental to learn more about the benefits of orthodontics today, or click the online booking feature.

*Individual results may vary.