Clear Aligners in Santa Monica

You don’t need to wear metal braces anymore to fix your smile. These days, a lot of folks in Santa Monica are choosing clear aligners instead. They're discreet, easy to use, and don’t interfere with your day-to-day life. If you want straighter teeth without making it obvious, clear aligners might be just what you’re looking for.

They’re basically thin, see-through trays that sit snug over your teeth. Each tray moves your teeth just a little at a time, and every week or two, you switch to a new one. Over time, your teeth shift into place.

They’re custom-made using digital scans of your mouth, which means they’re designed to fit your smile exactly. You can take them out when you eat, brush, or have a big event, something you just can’t do with traditional braces.

Invisalign is the most well-known brand, but there are a few others your orthodontist might talk to you about. Each has its own perks depending on your needs.

They’re great for small to moderate alignment issues. Here’s when they usually help:

Here’s a quick overview of how the process works:

Step 1: Initial Visit
Your orthodontist will check your teeth and let you know if clear aligners will do the trick. You’ll go over cost and timing, too.

Step 2: Digital Imaging
They’ll scan your teeth to map out how they’ll move and what your end result should look like.

Step 3: Custom Trays
Your aligners will be made just for you. You’ll get a set of trays to use over time.

Step 4: Daily Wear
You’ll wear them for most of the day, about 20 to 22 hours. Take them out to eat or brush, but keep them in otherwise.

Step 5: Regular Checkups
You’ll pop in for short visits every few weeks so your orthodontist can make sure everything’s moving along properly.

Step 6: Retainers
Once your teeth are in place, you’ll get retainers to help keep them there. At first, you wear them all the time, then just at night.

Step 7: Long-Term Care
Even after treatment, wearing your retainers a few nights a week will help maintain your results.