Invisalign® FAQ

What To Expect, Great Tips and Cost

What To Expect With Invisalign®

Invisalign® is one of several alternatives to braces and treatment is easier and more efficient than ever before! During your free consultation, Dr. Montano will take x-rays and photos of your mouth and analyze whether your teeth and bite can be successfully straightened with Invisalign®. Because of his extensive experience with Invisalign® (he is among the Top 1% Providers of North America), more than 80% of his patients qualify for Invisalign® in Bakersfield. If you choose treatment with Invisalign®, you won’t be disappointed in the results.

Once it is determined you are a candidate for Invisalign® in Bakersfield, the next step is to obtain a 3-D image of your teeth using our state-of-the-art iTero® scanner. This can often be accomplished the same day as your consultation. With our scanner, you can say goodbye to goopy, uncomfortable molds! Instead of taking a mold, the iTero® scanner has a “magic wand” that is placed over the surfaces of your teeth to take 3-D pictures. A composite digital image (STL file) of your teeth and bite is created. Using advanced computer software, Dr. Montano then creates a treatment plan that carefully and efficiently moves your teeth into the desired positions. With the iTero® scanner, your Invisalign® trays will fit more accurately than ever before, allowing for more efficient and higher quality treatment. Your aligners will also arrive more than 50% faster compared to the “old” method using molds.

Approximately 4 weeks after your appointment, you will return to receive your first aligners! Dr. Montano will go over many instructions at this appointment and get you started on your journey toward a gorgeous, healthy smile. Small, tooth-colored shapes (called “attachments” or “bumps”) will be attached to some of your teeth to help the aligners grab and position the teeth.

Aligners should be worn 22 hours/day and can be taken out for meals as well as brushing and flossing. Return appointments are scheduled approximately every 3 months during treatment, at which Dr. Montano monitors your progress and makes adjustments as necessary. The average Invisalign treatment takes approximately 9-18 months, although each case can greatly vary based on complexity. Our patients often comment how easy the entire process is.

Invisalign FAQ's

Invisalign in Bakersfield, CA

You have questions? We have answers. Click the arrows below to see the answers to the most common questions about Invisalign in Bakersfield.

How Does Invisalign® Work? Will I Get the Same Results as With Braces?
- Just as with braces, the quality of your outcome largely depends on the expertise, skill, and attentiveness to detail of your practitioner. Dr. Montano has earned the prestigious designation of Top 1% Invisalign® providers of North America—and is the only Top 1% office for Invisalign in Bakersfield—so you can be sure you’re receiving the most experienced care available.
My Dentist Does Invisalign®. Why Should I go to an Orthodontist?
- Orthodontists receive an additional 2-3 years of training beyond dental school to become experts in diagnosis and treatment of malocclusions to give their patients the most healthy, stable smiles.
  
  In addition to this specialized training, orthodontists treat hundreds of people with a wide variety of orthodontic problems each year—as opposed to a dentist who might treat a handful of people between drilling and filling. This specialized training and experience allows the orthodontist to recognize and resolve challenging situations, which often arise during treatment, and provides the knowledge needed to create beautiful, harmonious smiles and facial profiles.
What if I’ve Been Told I’m Not a Good Candidate for Invisalign®?
- Get a second opinion! Dr. Montano has learned over many years of experience that almost everyone can be treated with Invisalign®. In difficult cases, he will often combine Invisalign® with braces on a few teeth where needed. Because these braces are usually in the back of the mouth and often on the bottom teeth, they are very unlikely to be seen. The braces usually only need to be there for a short period of time, and then the remaining treatment can be completed with Invisalign® only.
How Long Will My Treatment Take?
- The average treatment time is approximately 9-18 months, although the time can vary greatly based on difficulty of the orthodontic problem. Based on his experience successfully treating many hundreds of Invisalign® patients, Dr. Montano can provide an estimate of how long your treatment will last after reviewing your individual case.
I’d Like My Treatment Completed As Quickly as Possible. Is There A Way to Speed Things Up?
- Dr. Montano is at the cutting edge of accelerated orthodontic treatment, and offers several options for those interested in decreasing their treatment time. Some of these options include Acceledent, Biolux, and piezocision. These modalities increase the rate of bone remodeling and biological activity, resulting in tooth movement up to 60% faster. Ask Dr. Montano whether your mouth could benefit from one of these options.
How Much Does Invisalign® Cost?
- At Montano Elevated Orthodontics, the fee for Invisalign® in Bakersfield is the exact same as for braces. Unlike most offices, there is no additional surcharge for Invisalign®. We believe cost should not get in the way of whichever treatment method you prefer. Just as with braces, the fee for treatment is based on case complexity. If you would like to learn more about how much your treatment may cost, schedule a consultation with us today.
I’m a Teenager. Can I do Invisalign® as well?
- Of course! Invisalign® in Bakersfield is no longer just for adults. Dr. Montano has treated hundreds of teens with clear aligner therapy (Invisalign®), achieving the same fantastic results as with fixed appliances (braces). Sometimes other orthodontic devices (such as expanders or distalizers) are combined with Invisalign® to achieve the best result, and are discreetly placed at the start of treatment before initiating clear aligner therapy. Ask Dr. Montano at your free consultation whether Invisalign®Teen is the right option for you.
When Can I Get Started?
- At your free consultation, Dr. Montano will evaluate your teeth and gums and ensure they are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment. Most people can start right away! One of our expert treatment coordinators will walk you through the entire treatment process and answer any additional questions you have.
Will Wearing Invisalign® Affect My Speech?
- Some people experience a very short, transient period of difficulty with certain speech sounds. This normally disappears within a week of beginning treatment as the lips and tongue adapt to the aligners.
Are There Any Food Restrictions with Invisalign®?
- No! This is one of the benefits of Invisalign®. Because there are no braces that can be broken off, there isn’t a reason to adjust your diet. This also means no additional appointments for loose braces or poking wires.
How Do I Get Started?
- You can schedule a FREE consultation with us online in just minutes.

7 Great Tips When Using Invisalign®

Much Easier Than You Might Think

A collection of great tips for when you have your trays. Also keep in mind we are ALWAYS available to assist you and answer questions that you have. That’s what we are here for!

Storing Your Invisalign® Aligners. Keep your aligners in their case whenever they’re not in the mouth. This will keep the dog from eating them and save you from accidentally throwing them away, along with the subsequent digs through the trash can!

How to Clean Your Invisalign® Aligners. We recommend using an old toothbrush with dish soap (such as Dial or Dawn) to clean the aligners. Do not use toothpaste since it is abrasive and will scratch the aligners, making them cloudy. Never boil the aligners! You may also use denture cleaning agents or retainer cleaning solutions to keep them fresh. For retainer cleaning solutions, we recommend a product called Retainer Brite, which can be bought online. It comes with an ultrasonic and is effective at keeping your aligners (and future retainers) sparkly clean and fresh.

Dealing with Discomfort. You will likely have a dull, achy soreness for several days after changing your Invisalign® aligners. You may take ibuprofen, Tylenol, Motrin, or any preferred OTC pain medication for relief. If you experience extreme pain or swelling, please call our office immediately at 661-665-7600.

Cleanings with Your Dentist During Treatment. Please see your dentist at your usual cleaning interval (at least every 6 months) throughout orthodontic treatment with Invisalign®. It is even more crucial to get these cleanings during orthodontic therapy than it was before, since tartar that builds up on teeth can inhibit tooth movement.

Reminders to Change Your Invisalign® Aligners and Wear Them Consistently. Various iPhone and Android apps exist to remind you when it’s time to change your aligners. They will even send you notifications that you should be wearing your aligners. One app that we recommend is called Align Remind.

Chewies (Bite Sticks). It is critical that your teeth seat completely into the Invisalign® aligners in order for them to move/track properly. The chewie exercise should be done 20 mins per day or more, 1 tooth at a time. You should squeeze gently on the chewie, for 2-3 secs and move to the next tooth.

Elastics. Wearing your elastics as prescribed will help your treatment to proceed as planned and finish on time. Failure to wear your elastics will delay your treatment completion and can result in a compromised bite.

Invisalign® Cost

Varies On a Case By Case Basis

If you’ve been thinking about pursuing orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® as a more discreet alternative to braces, you might assume that Invisalign® costs more than other forms of treatment. At Montano Elevated Orthodontics, we don’t want finances to keep anyone from the gorgeous smile that they’ve always dreamed of. That’s why we’re proud to be able to offer treatment with Invisalign® at the same cost as braces. That means that if you’re a good candidate for treatment with Invisalign®, you can enjoy the virtually invisible, comfortable, removable alternative to braces without any additional cost!

As one of the top 1% Invisalign® providers in North America, we believe that you should be able to choose the treatment option that suits you without having cost affect your decision. That also means that no matter your treatment type, you will be satisfied with your results.

Invisalign® costs (as well as braces costs) vary depending on the complexity of each individual case and treatment time. At your free consultation, our treatment coordinator will work with Dr. Montano to design a treatment plan tailored for you without any hidden fees or nasty surprises. Before you leave the office, you’ll know exactly how much your Invisalign® cost will be and how long you can expect treatment to last. We also offer a free online payment calculator that will help you estimate the cost of your treatment. In just a few seconds, you can discover your potential Invisalign® cost. You can find the payment calculator by clicking right here.

No matter the details of your treatment plan, we offer in-house financing at 0% interest with monthly payments starting at just $189. We’re also proud to offer third-party financing through our partner, Lending Club. Those payment plans start at just $99 a month with no down payment. Once you become a patient, you’ll be given an online account where you can access your financial summary, treatment progress and your before & after photos 24/7.

At your free consultation, we will answer all of your questions about Invisalign cost and provide a payment plan that fits within your budget. Montano Elevated Orthodontics provides adult & teen Invisalign the communities of Bakersfield, Delano, Taft, Wasco, Shafter, Arvin, and Tehachapi, CA.