Cosmetic & Aligners
Clear Aligners in San Rafael, CA
Straighten your smile discreetly, without metal braces.
Clear aligners offer a nearly invisible way to straighten teeth on your own schedule. At Dental Studio of Marin, we create custom aligner plans that gradually and comfortably guide your teeth into place, so you can transform your smile without anyone noticing.
Dentistry for Every Stage of Life
Comprehensive dental services in a welcoming San Rafael office.
Clear Aligners in San Rafael
Clear aligners have changed what it means to straighten your teeth. Instead of brackets and wires, you wear a series of custom-made, transparent trays that gently shift your teeth over time. They’re removable, comfortable, and virtually invisible, which makes them especially popular with adults and teens who want a straighter smile without the look and hassle of traditional braces. For many patients, they’re a discreet path to results that used to require years of metalwork.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
Aligners fit into your life rather than interrupting it, offering advantages traditional braces can’t.
- Nearly Invisible Clear trays let you straighten your teeth without obvious hardware.
- Removable Take them out to eat, brush, and floss normally.
- Comfortable Smooth trays mean no poking wires or brackets.
- Easy to Maintain Cleaning your teeth and trays is simple and quick.
Precision-Planned With Technology
Advanced digital tools map out your entire treatment before you begin.
- Digital impressions for a comfortable, accurate fit
- 3D treatment planning to preview your results
- Custom-made trays crafted for each stage of movement
How the Process Works
After a consultation and digital scan, we design a step-by-step plan that maps each small movement of your teeth. You’ll wear each set of aligners for a couple of weeks before moving to the next, checking in with us periodically to track progress. Most patients see meaningful results within months, all while going about daily life as usual.
What Aligners Can Treat
Clear aligners can correct a wide range of concerns, including crowding, gaps, and many bite issues. They’re an excellent choice for mild to moderate alignment problems, though more complex cases may still be better suited to other options. During your consultation, we’ll assess your teeth and let you know honestly whether aligners are the right fit for your goals.
Keeping Results With a Retainer
Once your teeth reach their final position, wearing a retainer keeps them there. We’ll provide a custom retainer and clear guidance on how to use it, so the beautiful, straight smile you worked toward stays that way for the long run.
Clear Aligners FAQ
- What are clear aligners?
- Clear aligners are custom-made, transparent trays that gradually move your teeth into place — a discreet alternative to metal braces.
- How long does treatment take?
- Most treatments take several months to a bit over a year, depending on how much movement your teeth need.
- Are clear aligners comfortable?
- Yes. The smooth trays have no wires or brackets, so they’re generally more comfortable than traditional braces.
- How many hours a day do I wear them?
- For best results, aligners should be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them mainly to eat and clean your teeth.
- Can I eat and drink with aligners in?
- You should remove your aligners to eat and to drink anything other than water, which also makes brushing and flossing easy.
- Are aligners good for teens?
- Yes. Many teens are great candidates, especially those responsible enough to wear the trays consistently.
- Will I need a retainer afterward?
- Yes. Wearing a retainer after treatment keeps your teeth from shifting back and protects your results.
- How do I find out if I’m a candidate?
- Contact our San Rafael office for a consultation, and we’ll assess whether clear aligners are right for you.
A MORE CONSIDERED APPROACH
Dr. Mehdi Salek, DDS
Office Hours
Quick Links