Invisalign

In Woodland Hills, CA

Most people with mild to moderate alignment issues can achieve great results with Invisalign. These clear aligners effectively correct crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. However, complex orthodontic cases may require traditional braces for optimal results.

During your consultation, we'll evaluate your teeth, discuss your goals, and show you a personalized treatment plan of your results to help determine the best treatment path.

When starting new aligners, you may experience temporary pressure or tenderness – a normal sign that your teeth are shifting. This sensation typically subsides within a few days as your mouth adjusts. Unlike traditional braces with metal wires and brackets that can cause irritation, Invisalign's smooth plastic design minimizes discomfort.

Wear your aligners 20-22 hours daily, removing them only for eating, drinking anything besides water, and your oral hygiene routine. This consistent wear allows for steady tooth movement and keeps your treatment timeline on track. Each aligner is precisely calibrated to move specific teeth at specific times, so missing hours of wear time can delay your progress. Most patients find that incorporating aligner wear into their daily routine becomes second nature after the first few weeks.

If you damage or lose an aligner, contact our office immediately. Continuing with a cracked aligner or moving to the next set too soon can disrupt your treatment plan. Our team will assess whether you should revert to your previous aligner while waiting for a replacement or move forward to your next set. To prevent this situation, always use the protective case, avoid bending aligners during removal, and handle them with care when cleaning.

The short answer is, no. While Invisalign aligners are durable, they're specifically engineered for tooth movement, not nighttime grinding protection. The SmartTrack® material isn't designed to withstand the intense forces of bruxism (teeth grinding), and using aligners as a nightguard can damage them and compromise your treatment. If you grind your teeth, we'll discuss incorporating a custom nightguard into your treatment plan. This ensures both your tooth alignment goals and grinding protection needs are properly addressed. Regular aligner checks will help us monitor for any signs of excessive wear that might indicate nighttime grinding.

Invisalign attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps strategically bonded to specific teeth to help aligners create more complex tooth movements. These SmartForce® attachments act as handles, allowing aligners to grip and apply pressure more effectively for precise repositioning. While not every patient needs attachments, they play a crucial role in achieving desired results for certain tooth movements. They're carefully placed to balance effectiveness with aesthetics and are typically hardly noticeable when wearing your aligners.

Invisalign aligners are crafted from advanced SmartTrack® material, designed to be virtually invisible when worn. The thin, clear plastic conforms closely to your teeth, making them difficult to detect during normal social interactions. To maintain their clarity, avoid consuming anything besides water while wearing aligners, and clean them regularly to prevent staining. Some patients have small tooth-colored attachments that may be slightly more noticeable, but these are still far less visible than traditional braces.

Your Invisalign journey begins with high-precision digital scanning that creates a 3D model of your teeth. Using Invisalign's proprietary ClinCheck® software, we map out every step of your tooth movement and design each aligner in the series. This advanced planning ensures each set precisely controls the amount and timing of movement for specific teeth. The aligners are then manufactured using a state-of-the-art 3D printing process and multilayer SmartTrack® material, delivering optimal force for predictable, comfortable tooth movement.

We never recommend using mail-order aligner kits. They are less reliable, and can even cause serious complications like tooth damage or gum issues over time. Plus, mail-order aligners may end up costing you even more money in the long run if you don’t get the results you expect and need to get additional orthodontic treatment from a dentist.

In contrast, Invisalign treatment at Woodland Hills Dental Arts is supervised directly by Dr. Arjang Naminik. This ensures that your teeth move safely and properly, and that you’ll be fully monitored throughout the treatment process. 

Your Invisalign treatment includes all necessary in-office exams, x-rays, digital scans, and necessary adjustments. In contrast, mail-order aligner kits often use self-reported impressions and have limited oversight by qualified dental professionals.

The comprehensive care offered by our team helps prevent complications and ensures better, longer-lasting results. Choosing Invisalign with a trusted provider like Dr. Naminik offers both personalized attention and peace of mind. Your smile deserves professional care, so you shouldn’t have to go it alone.

Yes, Invisalign is often a more conservative option than veneers or Lumineers, especially if you're looking to improve alignment without permanently altering your natural teeth. While veneers require the removal of some enamel, clear aligners work with what you already have, gently moving teeth into a more attractive position. 

Invisalign can close small gaps, correct minor crowding, and enhance symmetry, all without drilling or bonding materials. At Woodland Hills Dental Arts, we’ll help you compare cosmetic options based on your goals and oral health. You get a smile that’s not just beautiful, but completely your own. Let’s explore the right path together.

Invisalign is a good option for closing small gaps in your smile. If you mostly have cosmetic issues with your smile alignment, you may be able to correct them in just six months with Invisalign, in some cases.

However, Invisalign can’t be used to treat chipped teeth. If you have a couple of small gaps as well as chips, dental bonding may be a faster and more efficient treatment option. You don’t have to pick between these two options, either. Many of our patients in Woodland Hills benefit from combining both treatments for optimal results.

Dr. Naminik will assess your bite, gum health, and aesthetic concerns to help you make the best decision. Every smile is different, and sometimes the best answer lies in a thoughtful blend of approaches. We’re here to build a solution around you.

Seeing a dentist like Dr. Arjang Naminik for Invisalign offers a whole-health approach to your smile. At Woodland Hills Dental Arts, we consider more than just straightening teeth. We also evaluate gum health, bite function, and aesthetics all in one visit. 

You also benefit from in-house specialists in periodontics and endodontics if any other care is needed throughout your Invisalign journey. This means you can get comprehensive care in one place, with no need for multiple trips to specialists. 

And with the latest dental technology on-site, including digital scans and same-day services, your Invisalign journey is smooth and personalized. Trust a provider who looks at the big picture. After all, you deserve care that’s both comprehensive and compassionate.