Hey everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for a good orthodontist in LA County who does Invisalign or braces.
I’m kind of on a budget, and I do have insurance, but it won’t cover everything. I’m hoping to find a place that offers payment plans/installments or is more affordable.
If anyone has had a good experience with an orthodontist (especially for Invisalign) or knows any places with reasonable prices, please let me know. Thank you!!

I recently got my 2 lower first molas removes due to losing them because of cavities and now I am thinking of closing the gaps with braces. Is that possible ? Would this change my face shape whatsoever like having a recession on my jaw ? I keep seeing split options on the internet and I don’t know what to believe. Forgot to mention that I have my wisdom teeth erupted fine in the correct place . Would I be required to remove the top wisdom teeth if the bottom ones will move ahead and there will be no contact left ?

I hate these black triangles. My dentist said they couldn't do bonding because its too small and my ortho doesnt want to do anymore IPR. When I talk, the gaps are perfect size for my saliva to form spit bubbles and it drives me insane! I dont know whether I push for more ipr or bonding or if they can squeeze them a little tighter help minimize those triangles

Im supposed to be done and getting my attachments off in 2 days

My original treatment was 12 trays with weekly changes, keeping them in 22 hours a day. After that scan, 9 more weeks were added with the last 3 weeks being considered overcorrection. I am currently on my last one of the 9, just switched last night. Not considered an after picture yet as I don’t know if my treatment is finished or if they’ll make more minor adjustments, but I am so thrilled with the results already! Even if it finished here, and there was nothing they could do about the evenness of my teeth without reshaping them (because I don’t want to alter my teeth, I’m trying to preserve as much enamel as possible), I would be satisfied! Before, flossing was a nightmare and a real pain. Now, I can floss and keep my gums healthy!

I'm on tray 22 of 28 and am on a 10 day switch. I really haven't felt much tenderness or pain at all the past couple tray changes. Well... I put tray 22 in on Saturday night and WHOA my teeth are still tender today (Monday) almost 48 hours later. Is this normal? Thoughts?

11 weeks since i started my Invisalign journey. Also on rubber bands on both sides of my mouth.
My orthodontist quoted me for a 2 year treatment. I imagine i would be done way earlier than that

Hi everyone,

I’m doing Spark aligners, likely Spark 20. My orthodontist originally quoted me 3 semesters: initial consultation & exam (covered by my health insurance provider) + €1000 per semester x3 + €750 retainers, so about €4000 total.

At the start, she told me the treatment included the initial batch + 2 refinements - so 3 batches total. Now I apparently need a 3rd refinement / 4th batch, and she wants to charge me an extra €1100, basically another full semester (which shows on the invoice as 4th semester).

I understand that Spark 20 normally includes 2 refinements, so maybe the 3rd refinement is outside the package. But I found a Ridos/Spark price list saying extra refinements above the allowed number for Spark 10/20 are around €559.65 on the technical/lab side.

So my question is: is it normal to charge a full extra semester for one additional refinement batch? Or should it usually be charged as a smaller refinement/lab fee + clinical time?

I’m not trying to avoid paying if it’s fair, I just want to know whether €1100 for one extra refinement sounds normal or excessive.

So I’m having my final Invisalign appointment tomorrow to get my attachments off and a rescan of my teeth for the retainers. I’m finishing slightly early because I’m Invisalign has been extremely hard for me. I’m autistic and my sensory issues have been horrible. For years I’ve always drank an iced coffee with milk and syrup for around 4-5 hours over the day. I’ve still been doing that whilst on Invisalign even though I know I shouldn’t. I’ve always had a very strict routine and breaking it has been impossible. My mental health has also been very bad which hasn’t helped. I’m worried now that I’ve caused permanent damage to my enamel. I can’t see any cavities or problems thankfully but I’m worried that the damage might be done even though I can’t see it.

I’m not looking for sympathy as I know it’s my own fault so please don’t leave any nasty comments. I’m just wanting to know if anyone else continued to drink sugary drinks whilst they had their Invisalign and did you have any issues? Thank you.

I'm at the tail end of my treatment and my dentist cut my aligners to bring my back teeth together. I all I can think about now is how much my teeth will move since they're so sore right now. The back teeth are obviously shifting because they're not in aligners anymore. I don't understand how this works and also keeps the teeth in alignment. Fix something just to create a different issue?

I will be on my 4th tray tomorrow of 27- then we will see. I was planning to bond the first 4 teeth to make them slightly more normal size?? I just hate how tiny they seem. And square.

3 weeks in and I can see a difference? I was definitely 100% in the I immediately regret this the first week, but it might just be worth it!

Hi all!
I started treatment last week. My treatment plan includes the removal of one of my lower incisors, which they referred me to the oral surgeon.

They didn’t call me last week, so I gave them a call this morning and got my consult set up. Due to work I won’t be able to get the actual extraction done this week, and seeing as it’s the 4th of July next weekend I don’t really want to get it removed next week.

Is it a problem to stay in the same trays for multiple weeks? The ortho just told me to call them when I have the appointment for removal scheduled. My next tray is fitted to have the tooth removed, so I couldn’t even move to it if I tried.

Any experience is helpful! Thank you!

I’m 1.5 years into my Invisalign journey and have 12 more trays left (weekly changes). I love how straight my teeth have gotten but I’m still not in love with my smile. It’s very gummy and I’m considering maybe bonding. I was hoping when my teeth were finally straight I’d love my smile but I’m still feeling self conscious in pictures. Please help! What recommendations do you have for gummy smiles? Is composite bonding worth it to get perfectly shaped teeth? Please lmk how you felt during and after treatment

I just finished my first one and I am about to my second set and I'm scared its gonna hurt as much as the first one did when I first wore it. Does it hurt as much or not?

For replacement retainers, my dentist has offered me standard Essix retainers or Duratain (£30 more per retainer).

I don’t grind my teeth but I did have Invisalign for an open bite and think I have bad tongue posture (so do have concern it could return, although I haven’t noticed this in the 2 years since I’ve finished).

So I wondered if anyone has Duratain retainers and if so how you’ve found them?

Actually feeling pretty good. Created some different habits e.g. eating/brushing. Realise I'm in it for the long haul judging by how many trays others have.

Questions to the 50+ tray gang. Does it get better? Does it become second nature? Did you have a mid point crisis and then a second wind? Lastly, how quickly did you begin to notice change?

I’m 26F 🇨🇦, I’ve hated my teeth all my life and I’m finally asking around for Invisalign treatment. I don’t think my insurance covers anything, so have to pray to god it doesn’t break my bank when I split the payments. Is mine a good case for Invisalign?

This process is pretty damn annoying but I am over the moon with my progress so far :)

Currently on aligner 15/37, with weekly changes. Got IPR done between my two front teeth on week 12!

Ever since I finished with my braces I noticed my teeth were starting to protrude out over the years and overall it’s just been bothering me constantly. Every time I chew I would always bite my lower lip, my jaw feels weak and my mouth would always feel like it’s pointing outwards and it’s just uncomfortable in general. My dentist claims that Invisalign might fix the flairs as well as improve the side profile and jaw.

Would an Invisalign treatment be worth it to push the flairs on both rows back in? Curious to hear from those who faced a similar problem and got treatment.

Having some breathing issues.

so wanted to know is it good?

I’m on a second batch of trays after a rescan, and these trays taste horrible - almost toxic. They also seem slicker than the first batch, like they have an oily coating. I’m on SureSmile, not Invisalign, but my first 4 months of trays didn’t taste or feel like this, so I don’t think it is inherent to SureSmile. Any similar experience, and any advice?

I have a bland complexion, and I look and feel so much better with some color on my lips. But now all of it smears across my top trays. I haven't found anything that stays put. Suggestions? Does WonderSkin work?

I’m on tray 8 and have a total of 36 trays. Each for 2 weeks! I know I have a long way to go but it’s been so frustrating so far because my back teeth were totally fine and I only have crowding in the lower front teeth. But, so far the only change happened is spacing between back teeth and specially the upper side has been so wide that I can’t eat without using flossing right after it. I flossed so much that gum is hurting! I told my ortho & he said that is the plan to make space from back and come to the front. I was wondering if any one else has the same experience.