Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners for teens and adults, planned by board-certified orthodontist Dr. Edward Viloria, inside the family practice that cares for the rest of your smile.
Board-certified orthodontist · Clear, removable aligners · Teens & adults
Quick Answer
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear aligners to gradually move your teeth into better alignment. The aligners are removable, discreet, and made to fit your smile, allowing you to eat, brush, and floss normally throughout treatment. Invisalign can correct many common orthodontic concerns, including crowding, gaps, and certain bite problems in teens and adults.
Who it's for
Invisalign can treat many of the same concerns addressed with traditional orthodontics , using a series of clear, removable aligners planned around how your teeth need to move.
Create space and gradually bring overlapping or crowded teeth into better alignment.
Close unwanted spaces and create more even spacing across your smile.
Some overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites can be treated with clear aligners.
Straighten teeth that have moved after previous orthodontic treatment or inconsistent retainer wear.
A discreet option for patients who can consistently wear and care for removable aligners.
Invisalign vs Braces
Invisalign gives teens and adults a more discreet way to straighten their teeth without brackets and wires. The aligners are removable for meals, brushing, and flossing, but they only work when you wear them consistently as directed.
Braces may still be the more predictable choice for certain complex tooth movements or for anyone who doesn't want the responsibility of removable aligners. Invisalign can treat many common orthodontic problems, but being able to wear clear aligners doesn't necessarily mean they're the best tool for your case.
That's where having a board-certified orthodontist matters. Dr. Viloria can evaluate your teeth and bite and recommend Invisalign or braces based on the movement your teeth actually need, not simply which treatment you walked in asking for.
Dr. Viloria examines your teeth and bite, reviews your X-rays, and determines whether Invisalign is the right tool for the movements you need. You'll discuss your treatment plan, estimated timeline, and cost before deciding how to proceed.
A digital scan creates a precise 3D model of your teeth. Dr. Viloria plans how each tooth should move, and your custom series of clear aligners is made from that treatment plan. Small tooth-colored attachments may be added when extra control is needed.
You'll wear your aligners as directed, removing them to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. You'll progress through new aligners on the schedule Dr. Viloria prescribes, with periodic visits to make sure your teeth are tracking as planned.
If a few teeth need additional movement, Dr. Viloria may prescribe refinement aligners before treatment is complete. Once your final positions are reached, a retainer helps protect the result and keep your teeth from gradually shifting back.
Day to day
Take your aligners out for meals and snacks, and you can generally keep eating the foods you already enjoy. Remove them for drinks other than water, too, so sugar, acids, and pigments aren't trapped against your teeth.
Because the aligners come out, you can brush and floss normally. Clean the aligners separately and put them back over clean teeth rather than trapping food underneath them.
Removable doesn't mean optional. Invisalign works best when you wear the aligners for the amount of time Dr. Viloria prescribes each day, taking them out mainly for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.
Don't guess which tray to wear next. Call the office and Dr. Viloria will tell you whether to use your previous aligner, move ahead, or replace the one that's missing. Keeping the case with you instead of wrapping aligners in a napkin prevents a surprising number of disappearances.
Your Orthodontist
Your Invisalign treatment is led by Dr. Edward Viloria, DDS. He earned his dental degree at UC San Francisco, completed a three-year orthodontics residency at UCLA, and holds board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics.
Invisalign provides the technology, but the aligners are only one part of treatment. Dr. Viloria evaluates your bite, plans how each tooth should move, monitors whether those movements are tracking as expected, and makes adjustments or refinements when they are needed.
Around him is the dental practice you may already know. Dr. Marta Rudat remains your dentist throughout orthodontic treatment, so routine exams, cleanings, gum health, and the rest of your dental care continue under the same roof.
Once your teeth are aligned, treatment can also pair with cosmetic dentistry such as whitening or bonding when you want the finishing touches.
Board-Certified
Edward Viloria, DDS
In their words
For over 15 years, Dr. Marta has been grateful to earn the trust of her patients, reflected in hundreds of five-star reviews.
My kids and I love our Dr. Marta! I switched my kids to Dr. Rudat’s office more than a year ago and absolutely happy I did that. I got braces for my son at Dr. Marta office. And later I also got braces for myself.
I can finally say that I have the smile of my dreams! After a long Invisalign journey, my dentist beautifully reconstructed the edges of my lower teeth and the final result is absolutely amazing.
We had an excellent experience at Marta Rudat Clinic. The level of professionalism and responsibility is outstanding. We came to have braces for our child and from the very first visit, we felt confident and well taken care of.
Cost
Invisalign Treatment
$3,500 – $8,000
Typical treatment range
Invisalign treatment commonly costs about $3,500 to $8,000. Where your treatment falls within that range depends on the complexity of your bite, how much your teeth need to move, and the length of treatment.
Many PPO dental plans include an orthodontic benefit that may cover part of Invisalign treatment, although coverage, age limits, and lifetime maximums vary by plan.
Our front desk verifies your orthodontic benefits before you commit, and monthly payment options can spread out the remaining cost. You'll receive an itemized treatment fee at your consultation so you know what your Invisalign treatment will cost before you begin.
Frequently Asked
Who does the braces treatment at Marta Rudat DDS?
Dr. Edward Viloria, a board-certified orthodontist, handles braces and Invisalign at the practice. He earned his DDS at UC San Francisco, completed his orthodontics residency at UCLA, and is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, so your treatment is specialist care inside a family dental office.
How much do braces cost with insurance?
Plans with an orthodontic benefit typically cover a portion of treatment up to a lifetime maximum, often bringing Orange County families’ out-of-pocket down by $1,500 to $3,000. The office verifies your specific benefit before treatment starts so the monthly figure is real.
How long do braces take?
Most comprehensive braces treatment takes about 18 to 24 months, although simpler cases may finish sooner and more complex bite corrections can take longer. A systematic review found an average fixed-appliance treatment time of about 20 months; another large review reported about 25 months. Your actual timeline depends on the amount of movement and correction needed.
Do braces hurt?
Braces usually cause temporary soreness rather than continuous pain. Research shows discomfort tends to increase after braces are placed or adjusted, peaks around the first day, and then decreases steadily over the following week. Chewing may be more uncomfortable during those first few days.
Are braces harder to keep clean?
Yes. Brackets and wires create additional areas where plaque can accumulate, so brushing and cleaning between the teeth require more attention. Fixed appliances have been associated with changes in plaque and gingival health, and inadequate cleaning can contribute to white-spot lesions, an early form of enamel demineralization. Fluoride and consistent oral hygiene can help reduce that risk.
Am I too old for braces?
No. Adults can successfully undergo orthodontic treatment, and age alone does not appear to substantially lengthen treatment. A systematic review comparing adults with adolescents found no significant difference in overall fixed-braces treatment duration, although certain individual tooth movements may take longer in adults.
Can I eat normally with braces?
Mostly, yes. You can maintain a normal, balanced diet, but hard, sticky, and very chewy foods can damage brackets or wires and are best avoided or modified. Teeth may also feel tender when braces are first placed or adjusted, so softer foods can be more comfortable for the first few days. Research shows chewing discomfort is greatest early after appliance placement and declines during the first week.
Are braces better than clear aligners?
Neither is universally better. The right appliance depends on the movements your teeth require and your ability to wear removable aligners consistently. Current systematic-review evidence suggests fixed appliances may provide advantages for some movements, including certain rotational and torque corrections, while evidence for many other tooth movements remains mixed.
Will I need teeth removed before braces?
Not necessarily. Tooth extraction is a case-specific treatment decision, not a routine requirement for braces. It may be considered when there is significant crowding or when creating space is important to the bite and treatment plan. Research also shows that extraction cases can affect treatment duration, which is one reason the decision should be based on a complete orthodontic evaluation rather than a standard protocol.
Will I need to wear a retainer after braces?
Yes. Teeth can move after active orthodontic treatment, so retention is an important part of maintaining the result. Retainers may be removable, fixed behind the teeth, or a combination of both. Research supports retention after treatment, although the evidence does not establish one retainer design as ideal for every patient.
Continue reading
Ready to see what treatment would look like?
One consultation gets you the full picture: whether braces or Invisalign fits your case, how long it takes, and exactly what it costs. Bring your questions, or your teenager's eye-roll. Both are welcome.
