Dr. LaFrom in Cupertino has been recommending and providing the people of Santa Clara County with Invisalign treatment for nearly a decade. He has been certified by Align Technologies in Santa Clara to provide these Clear alternatives to braces.

History of Invisalign:

Invisalign (by Align Technology) has literally changed the face of orthodontics for over a million satisfied patients. In the past, getting braces meant years of painful and uncomfortable metal braces. Invisalign treatment utilizes cutting edge technology to prepare a series of clear plastic molds of your teeth during each stage of alignment.

Before and After

How Invisalign works:

About every two weeks, we check on your progress and give you the next mold, or "aligner". The aligners are removable, making for easier eating, brushing and flossing. They move your teeth into place gradually, typically in a much shorter length of time than normal braces.

How long does Invisalign take?

A majority of cases are completed in less than a year. Unless there is a situation which might complicate the process, such as an extraction or a severe rotation – over 45 degrees, or several spaces larger than 3-5mm throughout the mouth, then the case might be considered typical.

How do I know if I’m a candidate for Invisalign?

Most people would be candidates. In fact, unless there is a skeletal discrepancy, meaning that the jawbone on the lower and the jawbone on the upper don’t line up properly, then simple rotations and uprighting can be done with relative ease. If you have braces as a child, and forgot to wear your retainer, so there is a little crowding in the front, you are probably a perfect candidate.

What age is appropriate for Invisalign?

With the new Invisalign Teen program, we can start treatment earlier than in the past. Because the shape of the jaw changes during the teen years, and teeth are lost and new teeth come in, the process, when done during the teenage years can be a little more expensive.

What are the benefits of Invisalign?

The aligners are clear, so esthetically, most people would not know you are wearing them. The aligners are removable, so you have the ability to remove them for cleaning, eating and whatever else you might need to. The aligners are removable, so since you can clean them easier, there is much less risk for additional decay to occur under any brackets – which often trap bacteria and food. The braces are more comfortable than metal braces. Custom-made aligners fit tightly onto your own natural teeth, so the results can often come quicker.

How much is Invisalign?

For the most part, dentists and orthodontics are charging about the same for traditional braces as they are for the Invisalign braces. While the costs may vary from region to region and the treatment goals can vary significantly from person to person, the fees are not typically set as one fee for each person. Most fees will run close to traditional braces or maybe even less, and they are often covered by many typical insurance companies.

If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance then Invisalign is your answer. Call our office today for a FREE consultation to see if you are a candidate for this relatively new and effective procedure.