Board-certified Dentist, Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, attended the prestigious UCLA School of Dentistry, has been ranked “Top Doc” in several publications, and has the expertise and knowledge to provide exceptional care to all of her patients. Through advancing dental treatments and procedures, Dr. Kalasho has treated many patients with a variety of dental concerns including crooked and malpositioned teeth. Fortunately, a surge within the treatment of this issue has left many patients satisfied. Dr. Kalasho sat down with Haute Beauty to discuss the increase in popularity with clear aligners, the new alternative to for teeth straightening.

Clear aligners have become increasingly popular over the last few years.  With social media and online campaigns created by rising clear aligner companies, we dental practitioners who provide clear aligners to assist with our patient’s malocclusion have seen increased interest in this orthodontic treatment option.  Crooked, malpositioned teeth can be easily fixed, in a short amount of time, and in some cases as little as 3 to 6 months.

Clear aligners are an excellent option for adult, and teen patients alike, searching for an orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth, safely and effectively, without going through traditional metal braces. The braces are virtually invisible; I even had a couple get married in their aligners.

The benefit to clear aligners is that you can remove them while eating, and brushing your teeth, therefore, I notice that patients in clear aligners have better oral hygiene and a less likelihood of developing periodontal, or gum disease.  Another benefit is in most cases clear aligners safely and reliably moves teeth a lot faster than traditional braces. With the development of mini-implants and the uses of bands with clear aligners, even complex cases, like open bites, or crossbites can be effectively treated with clear aligners.

Not all clear aligners are the same, and as a dental practitioner, I use Invisalign as it is the only one that is followed up with, and directly looked after by a board-certified dentist. Many clear aligner companies have come up over the years, and many have started brick and mortar locations that digitally take your impressions and formulate trays to straighten teeth, however, no doctor is on site, overlooking the case, and no x-rays or dental exam is done. This is incredibly dangerous, and many documented cases of these types of clear aligners gone wrong, causing untoward malocclusion.

Invisalign is the best, safest, affordable, and most reliable clear aligner option.  It uses buttons, and IPR (a mechanism to create space) to move, twist, and reposition teeth for the most esthetic, and periodontal acceptable location.  I do not know about you, but I would not want anyone moving my teeth unless they went to school and had the proper training, so make sure to do your due diligence and ask your dental provider about your clear aligner options.