Ballou Dental Arts
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Call us Today to Make An Appointment
(949) 830-2355
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Our Address

25212 Marguerite Pkwy #120
Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9:00AM to 5:00PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00AM to 5:00PM
  • Thursday: 9:00AM to 5:00PM
  • Friday: 9:00AM to 2:00PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
Rate Our Service
(949) 830-2355

Get a healthy, gorgeous smile at Ballou Dental Arts

    • Home
    • About
      • About Our Practice
      • Privacy Policy
    • Patient Information
      • For New Patients
      • A Dental Timeline
    • Services
      • View all Services
      • ClearCorrect Braces
      • Dental Bonding
      • Dental Checkup
      • Dental Cleaning and Examinations
      • Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges
      • Dental Implants
      • Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates
      • Dentures and Partial Dentures
      • Emergency Dentist
      • Invisalign Dentist
      • Kid Friendly Dentist
      • Laser Dentistry
      • Oral Surgery
      • Pediatric Dentist
      • Periodontics
      • Root Canal Treatment
      • Sedation Dentist
      • Smile Makeover
      • Teeth Whitening
      • TMJ Dentist
    • Patient Education
      • Blog
      • Alternative to Braces for Teens
      • Dental Anxiety
      • Do I Have Sleep Apnea?
      • Do I Need a Root Canal?
      • I Think My Gums Are Receding
      • Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures
      • Options For Replacing Missing Teeth
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Oral Hygiene Basics
      • Post-Op Care for Dental Implants
      • Preventative Dental Care
      • The Dental Implant Procedure
      • What Can I Do to Improve My Smile?
      • What Do I Do If I Damage My Dentures?
      • What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth?
      • When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
      • Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
      • Which is Better Invisalign or Braces?
      • Will I Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?
      • Wisdom Teeth Extraction
    • Reviews
    • Gallery
    • Contact Us

Mission Viejo Does Invisalign® Really Work?

Does Invisalign® Really Work?

Does Invisalign Really Work?

Does Invisalign® really work?
At Ballou Dental Arts, we are regularly asked about Invisalign® and how effective it is at straightening teeth. This is an understandable question, because the process of using clear aligners is relatively new in comparison to wearing metal braces. As with any new technology, people often wonder, “Does Invisalign® really work?” and the answer is, yes. If you want a straight and beautiful smile without making it obvious that you are undergoing dental care, this is the best solution for you. As with any procedure, you will need to follow our instructions to ensure that your teeth move correctly and as quickly as possible. For example, aligners need to be worn for around 22 hours a day. While removable, you must be careful to keep them in place for as long as possible in order to keep your treatment schedule on track. They need to come out while you eat, so they do not become damaged or warped. You should also remove them when drinking anything hot since that can also warp them. However, as soon as you are done eating and brushing your teeth, the aligners need to be replaced. In our Mission Viejo, CA dental office, we recommend that you put your aligners in a special container we provide, so they are not accidentally thrown away. Too many people have put their aligners in napkins, only to find that they are gone after lunch. Replacing them quickly is important, so be sure to keep their case with you instead of taking them out at home and waiting until you come back to replace them. This will help you to stick with the 22 hours a day requirement and keep your straightening plan on schedule. Doing so will take your teeth from crooked to straight in a short period of time.

Does Invisalign® really work for adults?
Yes, Invisalign® was created for adult teeth. While braces are traditionally associated with children, the process of using clear aligners is better suited for adult teeth. This is because Invisalign® works using a series of clear aligners. Before the treatment starts, an impression will be taken of your teeth, along with measurements and pictures. These will then be used to create 3D images and project what your teeth will do when pressure is applied to certain teeth. The entire treatment plan will be created using high-tech computer software and input from Dr. Ballou. The Invisalign® lab will then make the aligners. Each aligner is designed to move specific teeth and to be worn for two weeks at a time before being switched out for the next one in the series. Since the aligners are created at the beginning of the process, it works best on adult teeth that are fully mature. Some older teens can also benefit from straightening their teeth with Invisalign®.

Does Invisalign® really work for people with a misaligned bite?
At Ballou Dental Arts, we use Invisalign® to straighten teeth and to align the bite. It is a misconception that braces are the only way to address an overbite or underbite. While they are traditionally the most effective, aligners can correct a bite, as well. In order to find out if this process will work for yours, we recommend that you visit our Mission Viejo, CA dental office. Call (949) 830-2355 to schedule a consultation so we can examine you, take x-rays, and determine whether or not Invisalign® is right for you. If your bite needs more adjustment than what aligners can offer, braces may be necessary or even oral surgery.

Check out what others are saying about our Invisalign® services on Yelp: Invisalign® Mission Viejo.

Does Invisalign® really work as well as traditional braces?
For the most part, yes. There are some cases where aligners are not able to address all of the issues with the teeth. In such a situation, we will let you know if Invisalign® can work to straighten teeth, but something else is needed to complete the process, or if you should try a different procedure altogether. In some situations, oral surgery may be necessary mid-way through. A perfect example is if your jaw is too far out of alignment to be corrected with either braces or aligners. In this case, patients start straightening their teeth and then have their jaw treated before finishing the procedure. These details are entirely dependent upon the position of your teeth and jaw, so we will let you know what to expect after your examination.

Does Invisalign® really work for people who want to straighten teeth discreetly?
Yes, at Ballou Dental Arts, we can supply you with clear aligners that are nearly invisible. They are made of a clear plastic that is durable, yet translucent. Few people will notice that you are straightening your teeth. It can take a few days to get used to wearing them, which could slightly influence your speech patterns. However, once you get used to wearing them, you won’t have any issues. Dr. Ballou does recommend that you care for your aligners by rinsing them with water, brushing your teeth after eating, and cleaning your aligners with a special paste. You do not want to use traditional toothpaste, because it could scratch the surface of your aligners and turn them from invisible to visible. If you want to straighten your teeth discretely, be sure to exercise caution when cleaning and caring for your aligners. When you visit our Mission Viejo, CA dental office, we can provide you with additional suggestions for how to take care of them.

Are there any activities that cannot be done while wearing aligners?
You should be able to complete all of your activities while wearing aligners, except for eating and brushing your teeth. You need to take out your aligners while eating a meal, which means that you need to plan for snacking in order to prevent your aligners from coming out too frequently. The same holds true for when you are drinking hot coffee or tea, since the heat can warp the aligners. If you are playing aggressive sports, you may also want to remove them. However, Dr. Ballou will make specific recommendations after discussing the sports you play or any other activities you engage in.

How do I get started with Invisalign®?
Call 949-830-2355 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ballou.


Helpful Related Links

  • American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
  • Invisalign®. How Invisalign Works. 2016
  • Invisalign®. Take the Smile Assessment. 2016
  • WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015

About our business, license, and website security

  • Ballou Dental Arts was established in 2006
  • We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, MasterCard, and Visa
  • We serve patients from the following counties: Orange County
  • We serve patients from the following cities: Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Irvine

  • Website Safety Ratings and Reputation – AVG Threat Labs. View Details
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Recent Posts

April 22, 2017

A Clear Solution To Straightening Teeth

Invisalign involves clear plastic aligners that you wear over the teeth throughout the day. Does Invisalign Really WorkInvisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners that are customized to the teeth of each individual patient. Invisalign …


February 14, 2017

Straighten Your Teeth For A Better Smile

Crooked teeth can make cleaning more difficult and cause more issues along the way. Call us for Invisalign info. Invisalign DentistBy visiting an Invisalign dentist, patients can discreetly straighten their teeth with a series of clear …


October 1, 2016

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If you are thinking of getting Invisalign braces, you will be happy to know they have high success rates and offer a seamless experience to each patient. While some aspects of Invisalign braces seem too …


Definition of Orthodontic Terminology

Cephalometric X-Rays
An x-ray of the head that shows whether your teeth are aligned properly, and whether they are growing properly.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment usually done when you are 6-8. The objective of interceptive orthodontic treatment is to expand your palate and make other corrections, so that your later orthodontic treatment goes quicker and is less painful.
Lingual appliances
Orthodontic appliance fixed to the inside of your teeth. i.e. Lingual appliances are attached to the part of your teeth next to your tongue.
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Helpful Dental Information
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  • I Think My Gums Are Receding
  • Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures
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25212 Marguerite Pkwy #120 Mission Viejo, CA 92692
© 2023 Ballou Dental Arts. All Rights Reserved.
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25212 Marguerite Pkwy #120 Mission Viejo, CA 92692
© 2023 Ballou Dental Arts. All Rights Reserved.
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