By the team at Marina Dentistry, Marina del Rey, CA
Between client meetings, morning commutes, and networking events, few Westside LA professionals have time for high-maintenance orthodontic care. Yet, your smile is one of your most important assets—projecting confidence, health, and approachability.
That’s why adults across Marina del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, and Playa del Rey are turning to Invisalign® as a discreet, flexible alternative to traditional metal braces. But which option is right for you?
At Marina Dentistry, Dr. Sameer Aljanedi—a trusted Invisalign provider with years of restorative and cosmetic expertise—helps patients make informed choices that fit both their goals and lifestyle.
Here’s a complete look at the pros and cons of Invisalign vs. traditional braces to help you decide which will work best for your busy schedule.
Invisalign vs. Braces: The Basics
Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually move your teeth into alignment. The trays are custom-made using 3D digital scans (no messy impressions!) and replaced every 1–2 weeks as your smile progresses.
Traditional braces, on the other hand, use metal brackets and wires affixed to each tooth, adjusted periodically by your orthodontist to guide movement over time.
Both can deliver beautiful results—but their day-to-day experience is very different.
The Case for Invisalign: Discreet, Modern, and Lifestyle-Friendly
1. Virtually Invisible Appearance
For professionals who spend their days in meetings, presentations, or on camera, Invisalign offers a huge advantage: almost no one will notice you’re wearing them.
The aligners are crystal clear, slim, and fit snugly over your teeth. You can speak naturally and smile confidently—without metal brackets catching the light in every photo.
“Many of our patients choose Invisalign because they want to improve their smile without interrupting their professional image,” explains Dr. Aljanedi.
2. Freedom to Eat What You Want
Unlike braces—where sticky, crunchy, or chewy foods are off limits—Invisalign aligners are completely removable.
That means you can still enjoy your favorite foods and drinks, from sushi at Sugarfish to morning coffee at Blue Bottle, without worry.
Just remove your trays before meals, rinse afterward, and brush before reinserting. It’s that simple.
3. Easy Maintenance and Oral Hygiene
With Invisalign, brushing and flossing are as easy as ever. You simply take out the aligners to clean your teeth as usual—no special threaders or tools required.
Each aligner can be gently brushed and rinsed with clear soap and water, keeping your smile fresh and odor-free.
For busy professionals, that means fewer interruptions and faster routines—ideal for early meetings or late nights at the office.
4. Fewer Office Visits
Traditional braces require monthly tightening appointments to adjust wires and brackets. Invisalign check-ins, by contrast, are typically every 6–8 weeks.
Thanks to digital treatment monitoring and 3D-printed precision, most of your progress happens at home—with Dr. Aljanedi reviewing your scans remotely or in quick in-office visits.
If your schedule is packed, Invisalign minimizes time in the chair and maximizes convenience.
5. Comfort and Safety
Invisalign aligners are made from smooth, medical-grade SmartTrack® plastic, designed to fit comfortably and reduce irritation. There are no sharp wires or loose brackets to cut your lips or cheeks.
Patients who travel often or have active lifestyles love that there are fewer emergencies—no broken wires or urgent repair appointments.
The Potential Downsides of Invisalign
While Invisalign offers unmatched convenience, it requires discipline.
- You’ll need to wear your aligners 20–22 hours per day for the best results.
- Forgetting to wear them can delay treatment.
- Some patients experience a slight lisp during the first few days of adjustment.
- Aligners must be removed before eating or drinking anything other than water.
“Compliance is key,” says Dr. Aljanedi.
“The more consistently you wear your trays, the faster and more predictable your results will be.”
The Case for Traditional Braces: Power, Precision, and Proven Results
1. Ideal for Complex Cases
If your teeth require major rotation, vertical movement, or bite correction, braces still have the edge in control and versatility.
Brackets and wires can be fine-tuned to apply specific forces—making them ideal for complex orthodontic cases or patients with more severe misalignments.
At Marina Dentistry, Dr. Aljanedi can help evaluate whether your goals can be achieved through Invisalign or if braces might provide faster, more predictable correction.
2. No Daily Discipline Required
With braces, the system works 24/7 automatically—no risk of “forgetting” to wear them.
This makes braces a good choice for patients who may struggle with the routine of removing aligners before eating or brushing multiple times a day.
3. Often Lower Initial Cost
In some cases, traditional braces can be less expensive upfront than Invisalign, especially for extended treatment plans.
However, many adults find that Invisalign’s convenience and comfort justify the slightly higher cost—especially when factoring in fewer visits and less lifestyle disruption.
The Downsides of Braces
- Appearance: The most obvious drawback for adult professionals.
- Dietary Restrictions: Avoid crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods.
- Difficult Cleaning: Flossing and brushing around brackets can be tedious.
- Frequent Adjustments: Monthly visits and occasional discomfort are common.
- Irritation: Wires may poke or rub the cheeks and lips.
Invisalign vs. Braces: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Invisalign® | Traditional Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Nearly invisible | Visible metal brackets and wires |
| Comfort | Smooth plastic, minimal irritation | May cause soreness or rubbing |
| Hygiene | Remove to brush and floss easily | Requires extra effort to clean around brackets |
| Eating Restrictions | None | Avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods |
| Appointments | Every 6–8 weeks | Monthly |
| Treatment Length | 6–18 months (varies) | 12–24 months (varies) |
| Discipline Needed | High (20–22 hrs/day wear) | Low |
| Cost Range (LA area) | $4,000–$8,000 | $3,500–$7,500 |
| Best For | Adults & professionals seeking convenience and aesthetics | Complex cases or teens needing compliance control |
Why Busy Westside LA Professionals Prefer Invisalign
For many adults balancing full schedules, Invisalign is the clear choice.
You can attend business meetings, Zoom calls, or social events without anyone noticing. You can remove the trays for dinner or photos. And with minimal visits, Invisalign fits perfectly into the high-energy, on-the-go lifestyle of Marina del Rey and Santa Monica professionals.
“Our Invisalign patients love that treatment feels effortless,” says Dr. Aljanedi.
“They get the smile they’ve always wanted without sacrificing their image or time.”
Bonus: Technology That Saves Time
At Marina Dentistry, Invisalign treatment is powered by:
- iTero® 3D Digital Scanning — No messy impressions; scans take just minutes.
- ClinCheck® Digital Treatment Planning — Precise virtual simulations showing your predicted progress and final results.
- SmartForce® Attachments — Subtle, tooth-colored guides that help move teeth efficiently.
- SmartTrack® Material — Exclusive elastic aligner material that shortens treatment time while improving comfort.
Together, these innovations make Invisalign faster, smarter, and more effective than ever before.
Maintaining Results After Treatment
Whether you choose Invisalign or braces, long-term success depends on retention—wearing a custom retainer to keep your teeth from shifting back.
Marina Dentistry provides discreet, clear retainers (often similar to your last Invisalign trays) and personalized follow-up schedules to protect your investment and your new smile.
The Verdict: Invisalign Wins for Convenience and Confidence
If you’re a busy Westside LA professional who values convenience, comfort, and appearance, Invisalign is often the ideal choice.
Braces still play an important role in complex cases, but for most adults seeking subtle, effective results, Invisalign delivers the perfect blend of science, technology, and aesthetics—without disrupting your daily routine.
Ready to Start Your Invisalign Journey?
Transforming your smile has never been easier—or more discreet.
Call Marina Dentistry at (310) 578-5000 or schedule your Invisalign consultation online to meet Dr. Sameer Aljanedi, your trusted Invisalign dentist in Marina del Rey.
From Venice to Santa Monica, patients across Westside LA trust us to deliver modern orthodontic solutions that fit their lifestyle—and help them smile confidently every day.
