Removable clear aligners for crowded, spaced, or slightly crooked teeth, planned and monitored by Dr. Andy Keith in Hillcrest.
Clear Aligners in San Diego, CA
Virtually Invisible
Same-Day Consults
Clear aligners are a series of thin, removable plastic trays that move teeth a little at a time, used instead of brackets and wires to straighten crowded, spaced, or slightly crooked teeth. They suit many adults and teens with mild to moderate alignment problems, and because you take them out to eat and brush, daily life changes less than it would with fixed braces.
At Sunrise Dental Arts, Dr. Andy Keith provides clear aligner treatment as part of our cosmetic dentistry care in Hillcrest. He starts by checking whether aligners can reach your goal, and if your bite needs more than aligners can do, he will tell you before you begin.
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How Clear Aligners Move Teeth
Each aligner is shaped slightly differently from the one before it, so wearing it puts gentle, steady pressure on specific teeth. You switch to the next tray in the series on the schedule Dr. Keith sets, often every week or two, and your teeth shift step by step toward the planned position. The American Dental Association notes that braces and aligners are the appliances orthodontists most commonly use to guide teeth into position, and that many adults now seek treatment to correct long-standing problems.
What to Expect During Treatment
Aligners only work while they are in, so plan to wear them most of the day and night, taking them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. Most people feel some pressure for a day or two after switching to a new tray, which is a sign the teeth are moving.
Short check-in visits every few weeks let Dr. Keith confirm your teeth are tracking as planned and give you your next trays. When the last tray is finished, you wear a retainer to keep your teeth from drifting back.
Why Patients Choose Clear Aligners
Our Clear Aligners Process
- Comprehensive Smile Analysis
- Strategic Alignment Planning
- Starting Your Clear Aligners
- Building Successful Habits
- Results Verification
Comprehensive Smile Analysis
Dr. Keith examines your teeth, gums, and bite and takes scans or impressions of your teeth. Any cavities or gum problems are treated first, since teeth need a healthy base before they are moved.
Strategic Alignment Planning
From those records, a plan is built that maps how each tooth should move and how many trays you will need. Dr. Keith reviews the plan with you, including the expected length of treatment and the cost, before anything is ordered.
Starting Your Clear Aligners
At your first fitting we check that the trays seat fully and show you how to put them in, take them out, and clean them. Small tooth-colored bumps are sometimes bonded to a few teeth to help the trays grip, and they are removed at the end of treatment.
Building Successful Habits
The habits that matter most are simple. Wear the trays as directed, keep them in their case when they are out, and brush before putting them back in. Missed wear time is the most common reason treatment runs longer than planned.
Results Verification
Short visits every few weeks let us compare your progress with the plan. If a tooth is lagging, we may adjust the plan or add refinement trays. When treatment ends, you get a retainer to hold the result.
Is Clear Aligner Treatment Right for You?
Aligners work well for many cases of crowding, spacing, and mild bite problems. More complex bite corrections may need a different approach, and Dr. Keith will discuss that openly at your evaluation rather than start a plan that cannot reach your goal. If dental visits make you anxious, sedation options are available.
You can read more about Dr. Keith’s background and approach on the Meet Dr. Keith page.
Schedule Your Clear Aligner Consultation at Sunrise Dental Arts
Dr. Keith will look at your teeth and bite, tell you whether aligners are a good fit, and explain the expected length and cost of treatment. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit. Contact us or call (619) 291-2980 to request your consultation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I accidentally misplace my clear aligners?
Call our office as soon as you can. Depending on how far along you are, Dr. Keith may have you move to your next tray, go back to your previous one, or wait for a replacement. Do not skip ahead on your own, because that can throw off your treatment.
How often do I need to change my aligners?
Most people switch trays every week or two, following the schedule Dr. Keith sets for your case. We often give you several sets at a time so you do not need a visit for every change.
How do clear aligners handle more complex bite issues?
Aligners can correct many crowding and spacing problems and some bite issues, such as mild overbites and crossbites. How well they work for your bite depends on how far the teeth need to move.
If your case is more complex than aligners can handle predictably, Dr. Keith will tell you at your evaluation and explain other options.
How should I store my aligners when they are out?
Keep them in their case whenever they are out of your mouth. Wrapping them in a napkin is an easy way to throw them away by accident, and heat from a car or hot water can warp them.
How long do aligners take to work?
It depends on how much your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear the trays. Mild cases can finish sooner, while more crowding or bite correction takes longer, and Dr. Keith will give you an estimate after your evaluation.
Wearing your trays as directed is the biggest factor you control. Treatment that is skipped for hours at a time usually takes longer.
How do I clean my clear aligners?
Rinse your trays each time you take them out, and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic.
Toothpaste can be abrasive and leave fine scratches that make trays cloudy, so a mild, clear soap is usually a better choice. Brush and floss your teeth before putting the trays back in.
