Aligners

Getting the smile you’ve always wanted no longer requires metal braces and frequent dental visits. Dr. Arsany Bechay and the team at Palos Verdes Dental Care offer advanced aligner treatment that straightens your teeth discreetly and comfortably. Our personalized approach ensures you receive the best possible results while maintaining your confidence throughout the treatment process.

Understanding Aligners

Aligners are transparent, medical-grade plastic trays that function as removable orthodontic appliances. These custom-fabricated devices apply controlled forces to specific teeth, gradually repositioning them into proper alignment through a series of sequential movements. Each aligner in the treatment series represents a small step in the overall tooth movement plan.

The treatment involves wearing a sequence of aligners, with each tray worn for approximately 20-22 hours daily over a two-week period. The plastic material is engineered to provide the precise amount of force needed to move teeth safely and effectively. As you progress through each aligner, your teeth gradually shift closer to their final desired positions.

Benefits of Aligners

No Food Getting Stuck in Your Teeth

With aligners, you’ll never experience the embarrassment of having food trapped in metal brackets during meals or conversations. You simply remove the aligners before eating, so spinach, popcorn kernels, or any other foods can’t get caught like they do with traditional braces. This means you can eat confidently in social situations without worrying about your appearance.

Sleep Comfortably Without Mouth Injuries

Unlike metal braces that can cut your cheeks and lips while you sleep, aligners have smooth edges that won’t cause painful sores or ulcers. You won’t wake up with cuts in your mouth or have to use special wax to protect your soft tissues. Many patients report better sleep quality because they’re not dealing with bracket-related discomfort during the night.

Maintain Your Current Oral Care Products

You can continue using your favorite toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss without needing special orthodontic cleaning tools. There’s no need to purchase water flossers, special brushes, or threading tools that brace patients typically require. Your existing oral hygiene routine remains effective throughout your entire treatment period.

Take Photos and Videos Confidently

Aligners won’t show up in your photos, selfies, or video calls like metal braces do. You can smile naturally for important life events, professional headshots, or social media without metal brackets reflecting camera flashes. This invisibility means you won’t look back at photos from your treatment period with regret about your smile’s appearance.

Avoid Expensive Emergency Repairs

You’ll never face unexpected costs from broken brackets, snapped wires, or emergency dental visits that brace patients commonly experience. Aligners don’t break or require urgent fixes, so your treatment costs remain predictable from start to finish. This financial predictability helps you budget accurately for your orthodontic investment.

Our Aligner Treatment Process

Smile Assessment and Goal Setting

Dr. Arsany Bechay examines your teeth and discusses what you’d like to change about your smile. We take digital pictures of your teeth from all angles to understand how they currently look. You’ll tell us your concerns and goals, and we’ll explain what aligners can realistically achieve for your specific situation.

Creating Your Tooth Movement Plan

We map out exactly how your teeth need to move to reach your ideal smile using computer software. You’ll see a preview of what your teeth will look like at different stages of treatment. This plan determines how many aligners you’ll need and gives you a timeline for when you can expect to see results.

Getting Your Custom Aligners

Your aligners are made specifically for your mouth using the measurements we took during your visit. We’ll call you when they arrive and schedule an appointment to make sure they fit correctly. You’ll receive several sets at once so you can change them at home according to your treatment schedule.

Wearing Your Aligners Daily

You’ll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before switching to the next set in the series. We’ll show you the easiest way to put them in and take them out without damaging them. Most patients wear their aligners 20-22 hours per day, removing them only for eating and cleaning their teeth.

Checking Your Progress

Dr. Bechay will see you every few months to make sure your teeth are moving as planned. These visits are usually quick and focus on checking that your aligners still fit properly. If your teeth aren’t moving as expected, we can adjust your treatment plan or provide additional aligners to get you back on track.

Why Choose Our Approach to Aligner Treatment

Dr. Arsany Bechay has successfully treated hundreds of aligner cases, from simple spacing issues to complex bite corrections that other practices often refer to specialists. Our office uses the latest digital scanning equipment that eliminates messy impressions and provides more accurate aligner fit than traditional methods. We’ve invested in specialized software that allows us to show you exactly what your smile will look like before you start treatment, something many dental offices still cannot offer.

What sets Palos Verdes Dental Care apart is our transparent approach to aligner treatment costs and timelines. We provide detailed cost breakdowns with no hidden fees and realistic treatment timeframes based on your specific case complexity. Dr. Bechay personally reviews every aligner case and makes adjustments when needed, rather than following a one-size-fits-all protocol. Our patients appreciate that we’re honest about what aligners can and cannot achieve, helping you make informed decisions about your dental investment.

Get Aligners from Our Local Palos Verdes Dentist!

Ready to straighten your teeth without anyone noticing? Dr. Arsany Bechay offers same-day digital scans that show you exactly what your finished smile will look like before you commit to treatment. Our Palos Verdes patients love that they can see their projected results during their first visit, and many start treatment the same day. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to see real transformations from your neighbors right here in the South Bay community. Call 310-377-5538 to book your aligner consultation and discover why so many locals choose our practice for their smile makeovers.

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FAQs

How long do aligners take to work?

Most aligner treatments are completed within 12 to 18 months, though your specific timeline depends on the complexity of your case. Simple adjustments may take as little as 6 months, while more complex movements could require up to 24 months. Dr. Bechay will provide you with a detailed timeline during your initial consultation based on your individual needs.

What are Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign aligners are custom-made, clear plastic trays that gradually straighten your teeth using gentle, consistent pressure. Each aligner is designed using advanced 3D computer imaging to move your teeth in small increments toward their final positions. They’re made from smooth, BPA-free plastic that’s comfortable to wear and virtually invisible when in place.

How to remove Invisalign aligners?

To remove your aligners safely, start at the back molars and use your fingertips to gently lift the aligner away from your teeth. Work your way forward, being careful not to bend or damage the plastic during removal. Never use sharp objects or excessive force, as this can crack the aligner or damage your teeth.

How to clean Invisalign aligners?

Clean your aligners daily using lukewarm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove bacteria and plaque buildup. Avoid using hot water, which can warp the plastic, and harsh chemicals that might damage the material. For deeper cleaning, you can use specialized aligner cleaning crystals or a mild antibacterial soap as recommended by your dental team.

How long does it take to get Invisalign aligners?

Once we take your impressions or digital scans, it typically takes 2-3 weeks for your custom aligners to be manufactured and delivered to our office. The initial consultation and treatment planning phase may add another week to the process. We’ll schedule your aligner delivery appointment as soon as they arrive, so you can begin your treatment right away.