Clear Aligners in San Diego, CA

At Michael McMahon, DDS, clear aligners are a series of custom-fit, clear plastic trays that gradually snap over your teeth to shift them into a straighter alignment. Instead of using metal brackets and wires like traditional braces, clear aligners use a more discreet design to straighten your smile.

The trays can be removed for eating, brushing, flossing, and other daily oral hygiene tasks, so your treatment won’t interfere with your everyday activities or impact your self-esteem as severely as traditional braces might. Additionally, the clear material of clear aligners makes them much less noticeable than braces. This makes clear aligners a popular treatment option for adults who want to straighten their teeth without drawing attention to their orthodontic treatment.

How Do Clear Aligners Straighten Teeth?

Clear aligners are made from durable plastic that is custom-molded to fit you perfectly. These aligners are designed to gently shift your teeth into proper alignment over time by wearing them consistently for 20-22 hours a day, only removing them to eat and brush your teeth. Since they are clear and virtually invisible to others, no one will know that you’re straightening your smile! Plus, since the aligners are removable, you can easily maintain your oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing daily, just as usual. 

The Benefits of a Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are popular because they are virtually invisible, comfortable, and don’t interfere with eating or drinking. They are also removable, so you can take them out for special occasions or clean them. Additionally, these aligners are custom-made to fit your mouth, so you don’t have to worry about them working poorly or causing irritation to your gums or cheeks.

Another benefit of Invisalign is temporarily removing the device for important events or activities. For example, you can remove the device while you eat a meal or take it out before an important meeting. This flexibility is one of the reasons why so many patients prefer this treatment over other orthodontic methods. 

How Do I Take Care of Clear Aligners?

• Ensure you rinse your aligners whenever you take them out of your mouth. Please do this before putting them back in your mouth, so any bacteria collected on them while you are eating or drinking doesn’t transfer to your teeth.
• Brush and floss your teeth as usual. However, brushing at least twice a day after each time you use your aligner is recommended. This will prevent food particles from building up on your teeth and causing stains.
• Avoid hot water when cleaning your aligners. This can warp the plastic and cause issues with how it sits on your teeth. Hot water can also make the plastic brittle, which can cause cracking.

Contact Michael McMahon, DDS, at 3405 Kenyon Street Suite 510, San Diego 92110, or call (619) 223-7189 for more information about whether this system suits you and if you could be a candidate for this exciting and convenient orthodontic treatment method!