Alternative to Braces for Teens Los Angeles, CA
For teens, clear aligners are a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Although traditional metal braces have been around for decades, clear aligners offer a virtually unnoticeable way to achieve a straighter, healthier smile. Clear aligners are a series of trays that fit tightly over teeth to move them gradually into alignment over time.
Clear aligners are available at Westchester Dental Arts in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Our staff will help determine whether they are the right treatment for your teen. Call us at (310) 450-0300 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Explore the Options
Clear aligners are one option for teens looking for a different type of orthodontic treatment. Teens can benefit from their aesthetic appearance and a more comfortable treatment experience. Compared to other orthodontic options, clear aligners also cause less pain and reduce the number and length of appointments.
With typical metal braces, teeth are moved to a new position using brackets with wires threaded through them. Clear aligners use a series of custom-molded trays that gently move the teeth into place. Patients will use each tray for a week or two before moving on to the next one in the series.
“Clear aligners use a series of custom-molded trays that gently move the teeth into place.”
Save Time Straightening
Teens with busy lives can benefit from clear aligners since they can save time from the straightening process. Braces require frequent office visits to replace or adjust wires. That can mean taking time off of school and other activities. Clear aligners require less frequent office visits to ensure treatment is progressing. Other than that, the patient can switch out their aligners at home.
In general, clear aligners also take less time overall to complete treatment. The one-piece trays provide force to all the teeth at once, while braces move each tooth individually. In some cases, clear aligners can trim as much as six months off the treatment time than traditional teen braces.
“Teens with busy lives can benefit from clear aligners since they can save time straightening.”
Feel Better, Look Better
One of the biggest differences between braces and clear aligners is their respective appearances. Many teens prefer the near-invisible design of clear aligners to the visible wires and brackets of metal braces. Clear aligners are less easy to detect, which can help teens feel less self-conscious and more positive about their appearance.
There is also flexibility with clear aligners that traditional braces do not possess. Clear aligners are removable, which allows teens to eat and drink whatever they want. Since they are removable, is it also easier to brush and floss teeth to maintain optimal oral health. Keeping braces clean often requires additional tools and can take a lot of extra time.
“Many teens prefer the near-invisible design of clear aligners to the visible wires and brackets of metal braces.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Alternative to Braces for Teens in Los Angeles, CA
How Long To Wear Clear Aligners
Clear aligner wearers should only remove their trays while eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and playing sports. Our team recommends that teens who play contact sports, such as football and wrestling, remove their aligners and wear a protective mouthguard over their teeth. These preventative measures will help teens avoid biting through their trays while playing sports. It will also protect their mouth and reduce their risk of injury. As soon as the game is over, patients should insert their aligners back in their mouths.
While it is acceptable to remove aligners for those activities, it is important to ensure sufficient wear time to prevent treatment delays. To get the best results, teens must wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. These clear trays can only work when they are in contact with teeth. Failure to wear them for long enough can result in delayed progression and a revised treatment timeline.
“Clear aligner wearers should only remove their trays while eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and playing sports.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is another orthodontic option other than braces?
Q. How do clear aligners save time straightening?
Q. What are the benefits of clear aligners?
Q. How do I take care of my clear aligners?
Q. How long should I wear clear aligners?
People Also Ask
Q. What age groups use Invisalign?
Q. How do clear aligners compare to traditional braces?
Q. How long will I have to wear Invisalign aligners?
Q. What are the different types of cosmetic dentistry treatments?
Q. Are there any necessary dietary restrictions while wearing Invisalign?
Q. What are some of the types of cosmetic dental treatments?
Taking Care of Aligners
While aligners are easy to take care of, they do require teens to be proactive about cleaning. Dirty aligners can accumulate bacteria, which can cause bad breath and harm oral health. Like teeth, teens should clean their clear aligners every day to keep the treatment process moving forward. Once they remove their aligners, patients should use warm water and a soft toothbrush to scrub the trays. Teens need to rinse their aligners with cold water every time they're removed and never leave them out in the open.
Ideally, patients should only remove their aligners to eat or drink. Teeth should then be brushed and flossed before patients put back their aligners to prevent food particles from becoming trapped in the tray. Forgetting this step can lead to tooth decay and other concerns. When taken care of properly, clear aligners are less likely to cause cavities or tooth damage. Clear aligner treatment also improves the patient's overall oral health since straight teeth are easier to clean thoroughly.
“While aligners are easy to take care of, they do require teens to be proactive about cleaning.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens after I finish clear aligner treatment?
A. After treatment, most people will receive a retainer. Retainers are important devices that prevent teeth from shifting back into the original position. Every patient is different, so it is important to speak to our orthodontist.
Q. What should I expect during my first appointment for clear aligners?
A. We will examine the patient's mouth to determine whether they are a good candidate during the initial appointment. Patients can also discuss their cosmetic goals with our team. If the patient is a good candidate, we may also start the digital molding process by taking digital scans, photographs, and X-rays to create an accurate model of their mouth and teeth.
Q. How long does it take to get my clear aligners?
A. The process of receiving clear aligners will usually take about three to four weeks. It takes this long because we must send the patient's information to the laboratory with notes about how the treatment should progress. This length may vary slightly depending on whether the virtual mold and the final projection of teeth movement require any changes.
Q. Is a retainer necessary after clear aligners?
A. Most patients will need to wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment to keep teeth stable in their new positions. Each patient is different. We will determine the best course of action for each patient to produce optimal results.
Q. When are clear aligners not an option?
A. Clear aligners may not be the best option for people who have complicated oral health and severe alignment issues. It may not be appropriate for very young patients whose jaws and teeth are still growing and developing. We do not recommend them for people with gum disease, receding gums, or weakened bones. Our team will help determine what the best options are for each patient's particular situation.
Scan here to view this page, Alternative to Braces for Teens, on mobile
Invisalign® Terminology
Call Us Today
If your teen is looking for an alternative for braces, clear aligners are a great option. Westchester Dental Arts can help. Call us at 310-450-0300 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2026
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2026
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2026
About our business, license, and website security
- Westchester Dental Arts was established in 2017.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Los Angeles County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Los Angeles, Westchester, Inglewood, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Culver City, Fox Hills, Hawthorne, El Segundo and Santa Monica
- CA (License #109578). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1366114761). View NPI Registry Information
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Westchester Dental Arts on mobile
Back to top of Alternative to Braces for Teens
Related Posts
Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47 - AK47 2026 1080p UHD .torrent
🧾 Hash-sum — fc11bcabf1539295a05bcc0f7c27b491 • 🗓 Updated on: 2026-10-07VerifyVideo Bitrate: 50+ Mbps average bitrate recommended Audio: required: 2.0 Stereo absolute minimum Storage: extra room for future bonus materials and extras Dynamic Range: stable SDR playback at 1080p on legacy setup Movie synopsis: A seemingly flawless family at House No. 47 unravels after an incident reveals…
Little Things 2026 BDRip XviD Eng Subs 𝐅𝚞𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝚟𝐢𝐞 Torrent
🧾 Hash-sum — c64235a92d9c1c2147c36a21957b06e5 • 🗓 Updated on: 2026-10-12VerifyCodec: 10-bit depth required Audio Bitrate: fast 640kbps+ AAC/AC3 required Torrent Size: at least 100 GB for complete season titles HDR: high luminance master for next-gen OLED / MiniLED displays Movie synopsis: Through the changing reflection of her mother, Sara contemplates how reflections reveal our experiences, the…
Green Grass 2026 BDRip 1080p X264 DD5.1 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 M𝐚gn𝐞t L𝐢nk
🔐 Hash sum: 9ef4a4532195aed95ff13e3f1b01a337 | 📅 Last update: 2026-10-06VerifyCodec: 10-bit depth required Audio: TrueHD track to avoid audio quality loss Storage:100 GB free space Dynamic Range: stable SDR playback at 1080p on legacy setup Movie synopsis: It's no secret that Declan is the university class coaster, which is why his friends refuse to partner with…
AnyMP4 Blu-ray Creator Activated [Full] [x86x64] Final
🔒 Hash checksum: 33224601437a8a77a54f1539bece96b6 • 📆 Last updated: 2026-10-09VerifyProcessor: 1 GHz processor needed RAM: Minimum 4 GB Disk space: Enough for tools This comprehensive software solution empowers users to create and burn high-quality Blu-ray and DVD discs from various video formats, setting a new standard for home entertainment and professional disc production. With its advanced…
SolidWorks Portable Exe All Versions [x32-x64] [Full] 2026
📦 Hash-sum → 26e06e5696ab72022f5d627781037c59 | 📌 Updated on 2026-10-11VerifyProcessor: 1+ GHz for cracks RAM: Needed: 4 GB Disk space: 64 GB for crack SolidWorks is a pioneering platform for 3D computer-aided design (CAD) in the realm of mechanical engineering. With its cutting-edge tools, users can create, edit, and manage complex models, assemblies, and technical drawings…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Westchester Dental Arts on mobile