Invisalign Braces

Related Page:  Orthodontist Recommendations

4 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

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  • Dentist to finish Invisalign treatment?

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    Aug 25, 2021

    Hello! I started my Invisalign when we were in DC- the plan was to complete it before our move, but my trays came late so unfortunately that didn’t end up working out. 
     

    I am now done w all the trays, and need to find a dentist to do… whatever it is to finish this process? Take the bumps off my teeth and get me my night retainer (not sure if anything else is required). 
     

    Hoping someone has a suggestion for a dentist who could complete this process for me? What was supposed to be four months has now dragged into nine and I’m very ready to be done! TIA!

    Aug 25, 2021

    My dentist, Dr. Helen Thai is great and can help! 

    2426 Webster St, Berkeley, CA 94705

     (510) 841-1866

    Sep 15, 2021

  • Ortho for adult invisalign

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    Oct 26, 2020

    I'm looking for an orthodontist for invisalign, for myself.  Anyone have recommendations for someone in Berkeley, or anyone from El Cerrito through Oakland?  I got one quote but it was very high for a short course of treatment, compared to what friends I know have paid and what I was expecting.  Thanks for any suggestions! 

    Oct 26, 2020

    Hi, just an FYI, my husband just finished a 4 month, at-home, teeth straightening treatment with Smile. It was less than half the price of Invisalign and no biweekly appointments at the dentist’s office, which was what he was looking for. We’re very pleased with the results. If it’s a mild adjustment, it might work for you too. Could be worth looking into? Good luck! 

    Oct 28, 2020

    Our family has had a very good experience with Dr. Song at I Song orthodontics in Albany. One of my teens did invisalign and the other is doing regular braces. I see adults in the office as well though. I find Dr. Song very professional, competent, and kind. The office is efficient and well organized, but does not seem like a 'mill'; the staff is friendly and personable. I am not sure how the cost compares-- we explored one other practice and the price was similar. 

    Oct 28, 2020

  • Braces or Invisalign for teen's Orthodontal Phase 2

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    May 29, 2018

    Our 14 year-old now needs to start phase 2 of his orthodonture and the orthodontist says we have the option of braces or Invisalign. The cost (close to $6K Yikes!)  is comparable and my son would prefer the less painful and visible Invisalign but I'm concerned about whether the outcome with Invisalign is as good as with braces. The orthodontist himself felt like braces were old technology but I would love to hear from parents who have had to make this decision and what your experiences with Invisalign vs. braces were and if you had any problems with your teen wearing or keeping track of all the Invisalign retainers. Thanks!

    May 29, 2018

    I was about to submit this exact same question! Can't wait to hear the answers - my research thus far seems to show little to no difference, but would also appreciate anecdotal evidence.

    Jun 4, 2018

    My son had the invisilign and it went very well.  I was amazed at how quickly they worked on his teeth.  He's at the very end of wearing them now and it's hard to get him to keep

    going in the homestretch but overall I would highly recommend them.

    Jun 5, 2018

    I recently got Invisalign for myself.  After a month of wear, I strongly advise against it - especially for a teen.  First and foremost, you cannot eat or drink with the liners in (except water).  This turned out to be a big problem for me, as I am constantly removing the liners in order to have tea or eat a snack. You have to clean them each time you take them out and put them back in.  For a teen, I can't imagine the inconvenience of this being tolerable.  I hate it.  The liners pool saliva; it is gross and they have to be cleaned several times a day to avoid a smell.  Regarding the aesthetics, your kid's liners may not be invisible at all.  I thought mine would be, and imagined a clear retainer-like thing.  But, in order to grip my teeth, the ortho had to punch out bumps into the liner to allow it to grip.  It turned out to look like a lumpy and visibly shiny plastic piece over my teeth.  I would rather just have gotten clear braces.  Hindsight is 20/20.

    Jun 8, 2018

    Both of our daughters used Invisalign and it worked well and quickly. They have to be committed to following the regimen but this is also a good experience. I was impressed by the imaging technology and how it adapted to the progress being made.

    Jun 8, 2018

    I had Invisalign and my 14 year old son had braces, now Invisalign. My experience with them was great. Some people never noticed I had them on. The process was fast.  My son is also experiencing the same.  He likes them better then the braces he has had previously. He does a good job cleaning them and neither of us have had issues with smells. He is old enough to know that if he doesn’t wear them, it will make the whole process longer. 

    We recommend Invisalign as a choice. 

    Jun 11, 2018

  • Adult orthodontia worth it?

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    May 26, 2017

    Hi,

    My dentist is bugging me to get orthodontia done due to a messed up bite. Only some of my teeth meet and only on some of their edges. However, I eat food fine and my teeth don't hurt except some sensitivity to cold and heat. I don't grind my teeth. I do have receding gums. My dentist says my teeth will crack eventually and this will help. I've consulted with one ortho and he recommends invisalign with rubber bands for 20 months and many thousands of dollars. I'm in my 50s with lots of other expenses...what do you think? Is it really worth it? Are my teeth going to crack out of my head when I'm 70? What about having plastic in your mouth for years? That doesn't seem like a good idea. Thanks, wise ones!

    May 26, 2017

    I am not a dentist or a dental professional but did have orthodontia in my adult years (and as a child). It is worth the money to fix and will actually save you money as you get older since the teeth will continue to move and your gums will continue to recede.  It is not a cosmetic thing- thought that it is an advantage. It is actually preventive so you don't have to have oral surgery later in life for pockets forming and developing gum disease which can lead to grafting, root canals, and losing teeth. In my opinion, it is definitely worth it to have invisalign which is much better than braces. Good luck.

    May 31, 2017

    I would not do it.I had braces as a child and I had TMJ problems later.I know people who only bite down on a few teeth and they have been fine.Unless you are having problems,I feel like you could make things worse.

    May 31, 2017

     I can't say if this is worth it for your bight, but  I can tell you my mother's and my experience. I had braces when I was 13 to 15 years old to hopefully correct my bite.  My bite was structurally the same as my mother's, meeting in one spot on each side at the back molars.  We were told that without orthodontia the bight would get worse, the jaw would really start hurting and having problems. In my 20s, I was told  that I should have orthodontia on and off for the rest of my life. My mother was about 50 at the time and her jaw did not hurt and her bite hadn't gotten worse. I opted not to do orthodontia.  Fast forward, my mom died at the age of 87 with no additional problems with her jaw or bight. I am now 62 and have had no additional problems. For me,  if I was in my 50s and told what you were told, I would take my chances and not do orthodontia. I guess I'd be saving that money for dentures.  But of course every bite is different.

    May 31, 2017

    I'd seek a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. But if they say your teeth will crack, take them seriously. At 92, almost all my mom's teeth have fallen out due to poor dental care in childhood, and you might think she doesn't care, but she really does. It impacts her every day. She hates it and wishes she just had regular teeth as many of her friends do. 70 is not that old ...

    May 31, 2017

    I say no. Two of my four kids 'needed it,' so we shelled out a small fortune and now, 10 and 20 years later, their teeth are back to the way they were before braces. I'd switch dentists . . .

    May 31, 2017

    There are alternatives to orthodontia. May I suggest looking into orofacial myopathy? I am currently seeing Kathy Winslow and it's been an interesting process. Good luck!

    Jun 7, 2017

    I'm doing invisalign after my dentist expressed concerns about my bite and (like yours) said my front tooth could eventually break off.  Unlike you, however, I also REALLY care about how teeth look.  Call me shallow, but I think it's the single most important thing about your appearance - more than clothes, more than shape, more than hair.  If you have good teeth, you look younger, smarter, and wealthier! Invisalign definitely works, and it's a little annoying but not painful.  Also, it promotes good dental hygiene because you brush more frequently. As your teeth straighten, it becomes a lot easier to floss, too (at least in my case it has).  My orthodontist (Rodney Lee in SF) is really good, and it was less expensive than I expected.   

    You do have to keep wearing the retainers at night if you want to avoid your teeth moving back to the way they were.  This is a common problem with kids - my son had braces but didn't wear his retainer when he was done, and now his teeth need straightening again.  SIGH.  

    Jun 8, 2017

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Experience with Invisalign?

Aug 2009

Any recommendations regarding the use of Invisalign instead of braces? I am 50 with an overbite that is getting worse and was told by the dentist that invisalign would work for my problem. But it also seems like the same money but less time for the dentist, so I am skeptical. Any feedback from your experience would be welcome. Thanks.

I currently have invisalign and love it. I am about 40% through and have seen great results with minimal discomfort or change to my lifestyle. No one will recognize that you have them and they are easy to manage and you can take them out to eat. I do question the use of invisalign for an overbite. I was told that invis doesnt work well for overbites, just crooked teeth. If you are specifically looking to treat an overbite I would get a second opinion. Andrew

Invisalign experiences for adults

June 2009

My dentist recommends Invisalign instead of braces, for me. Since this is a $5,500 commitment, I would really like to know of your experiences and any advice if I do it. I have overcrowded jaw pushing the top front teeth out. Also, do you agree that last impression should be used as a retainer afterwards? Thanks. Karen

DO IT!! Invisalign is amazing. I had my doubts - I'm not someone who likes to suffer any kind of discomfort, and I didn't believe they would be as 'invisible' as promised. And... $5500? Would they WORK?? Answer: they are everything they were touted to be. As to comfort - each set is uncomfortable for the first day or two, but nothing significant, and definitely nothing Advil can't conquer. Appearance - they are only noticeable if you look closely. No one would know I had them if I didn't keep talking about them because I'm so excited about them. And yes, they are working. I'm on set 9 of my 15 sets, and I can see a significant difference already. My lower teeth were crossed and my uppers were uneven. Both uppers are lowers are MUCH more straight and even just five months into treatment.

You asked about wearing the last set as a retainer - yes, I think that's the plan. The last set is a computer generated rendition of how my teeth are supposed to be. I assume I'll be wearing these at night indefinitely, to prevent the teeth from moving back. (I assume it will be OK to skip nights occasionally too, although I have absolutely no problem wearing them every night forever if need be). I LOVE them and wish I had done this years ago. Fran

I did invisalign about 6 years ago and had a really great experience. I would highly recommend it. I was getting married in the middle of my treatments so getting traditional braces put on, taken off for the wedding and then put back on didn't seem very practical so I decided on the invisalign route instead. There was definitely some soreness, especially in the beginning and at the change of each retainer but it definitely decreased as the time went on and it was never too bad. Changed my eating/snacking habits since you have to take them out to eat or drink anything but water. And I was a little obsessive about carrying a toothbrush around with me but maybe that was all for the better anyhow. After my last retainer, the orthodontist had a final retainer made which I use at night which is thicker and studier than then ones you wear during treatment. I have a small wire across the inside of my bottom front teeth but I don't notice it at all anymore. They said the wire might need to be replaced at some point but I haven't had any problems with it thus far. I also had overcrowding and my front teeth were being turned out. Treatment took only just over a year and since then my teeth have been looking great. happy with my teeth finally!

I found Invisalign practical as an adult in a public work environment. They also function nicely as bleach trays. Metal braces would not have helped my last promotion.. I did however find the end result less than 100% satisfying (more like a B- grade) and often wonder if the metal braces would have achieved better results for the $5000... I did wear my Invisalign trays religiously, but still have the same overall misalignment- only a lot less obvious. I guess the trays have a harder time really making those very small incremental movements happen, depending on how badly aligned your teeth are. Do not expect perfection... Me

Dentist who offers Invisalign?

October 2007

I'd like to get recommendations from anyone who has had success with Invisalign braces as an adult. I'm looking for a compassionate dentist who offers Invisalign. I'll consider most places in the Bay Area for the right person! Dr Joshua Bernstein in Piedmont has a very slick website and sounds expensive but perhaps it's worth it. Any comments on him also appreciated or other recommendations. Thanks. Need straightening out

I would like to recommend Dr. Sepideh Razavi of Advanta Dental in Emeryville. She and her entire staff are wonderful. It's been a great experience, she walked me through the entire process, and has been there with me through all the steps. I'm almost done with my invisalign! 510-596-9000. Happy Invisalign Client

July 2007

I am considering Invisalign braces to correct shifting bottom teeth. Has anyone (adult) had recent experience with Invisalign? I especially want to hear about any negative sequelae (AFTER removal) to wearing Invisalign, before I make a decision to go ahead. (I am in my 60's.)

I had the invisalign for 2 years a few years ago and it was almost magical how they worked! What is VERY important is that you continue wearing them or rather whatever retainer or similar you are given at the end or else the teeth will go right back to where they were. Good luck! Rosie

2004 - 2006 Recommendations

May 2005

I've almost finished over a year and a half of Invisilign treatment and have been very happy with the results. My teeth were pretty crooked w/lots of crowding--I never had braces as a child--and they look great now. I've been very happy with the doctors at Berkeley Orthodontics (www.berkeleyorthodontics.com). They have an office off Solano and one on Colby near Alta Bates in Berkeley. I too do on camera work, and I've found it useful to be able to take off my braces for auditions or shoots, while straightening my teeth (I could leave them on, but they affect my speech a little bit so I usually take them off). Invisilign is great! Almost straight teeth

June 2004

Has anyone ever tried Invisalign, a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without braces? They cost about the same as braces ($2000-$5000) and are fitted by a dentist. Apparently, you need to take them off when eating, drinking or brushing, which seems like a hassle. And you need to get regular 6-week dental check-ups to ensure that they are working properly. But the advantage is they are virtually invisible. I don't know anyone who has used these and wanted to know: are they worth it? Considering Invisalign

hi, i'm currently about half way finished w/my invisalign treatment and have been very happy with it. most people can't tell i'm wearing them and i see a real difference in my teeth. i get new aligners every two weeks, and go to the orthodontist every 4 weeks to get my next two sets and get checked. while it's a little annoying to have to take them off and on, it's great to be able to eat normally and clean my teeth thoroughly. i've gotten a little sloppy about never eating in them and i've always left them in to drink (including coffee). the thing is, because you get new ones every two weeks, they never get that gross. it's really important to wear them as much as you can, like 20-22 hours a day, so i try to get them back in as soon as i can after eating.

i have a little bit of discomfort for the first day or so of each new set, and i'm definitely aware that they're in my mouth, but i think they're a lot less uncomfortable than normal braces. my treatment is pretty long (32 aligners on the top, 42 on the bottom) and cost about $6000 (regular braces would have been only $200-400 cheaper). i go to nelson, meyer, etc. in berkeley and highly recommend them--all the dentists and staff are really great. --almost straight teeth