Invisalign in Burien, WA

Burien Dental is a Certified Gold Invisalign Provider 

Our Burien dental office is a Certified Gold Invisalign Provider, underscoring our commitment to providing the best orthodontic care with clear aligners in Burien and the surrounding area. Invisalign offers patients a discreet and convenient way to straighten their teeth without brackets or wires. This system has become especially popular with adults and teens who want effective orthodontic treatment but prefer a less noticeable method than traditional braces.

We strive to make the experience smooth, from your initial consultation through completion and retention. Our team has guided many patients through Invisalign, and we’re happy to help you explore whether aligners are right for your smile.

Why Choose Invisalign?

• Clear Appearance: Each aligner is made from nearly transparent plastic, making it difficult for others to tell you’re wearing anything. This is especially appealing if you want a more subtle orthodontic solution.
• Removable Convenience: You can remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss. There are no diet restrictions since you aren’t worried about popping wires or damaging brackets.
• Easy Oral Hygiene: With no braces to maneuver around, it’s simpler to maintain your normal routine. You can brush and floss as usual to reduce the risk of gum inflammation and tooth decay during treatment. Keeping up with your routine dental cleanings throughout treatment is just as important.
• Fewer Office Visits: You typically switch to the next set of aligners at home every one to two weeks. You still see us periodically to check progress, but these visits tend to be shorter and less frequent than for braces adjustments.
• Predictable Results: Invisalign software allows us to map out each stage of tooth movement, so you can see a digital preview of how your teeth should look once treatment is finished.
• Comfortable Fit: The aligners are smooth, customized to your teeth, and generally gentler on the gums and cheeks than brackets or wires.

Invisalign can fix a lot of alignment issues, but it’s not the right fit for every case. We’ll look at your bite, your goals, and the overall condition of your teeth, then walk you through whether aligners make sense or whether a cosmetic option like porcelain veneers would get you closer to what you want.

Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign is a popular choice for teens who want straighter teeth without metal brackets and wires. The aligners are clear, so most people won’t notice them at school, and they come out for meals, so there’s no list of foods to avoid. Teens can brush and floss as normal, which makes it easier to keep their teeth and gums healthy during treatment. For the best results, the aligners need to be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day.

As a Certified Gold Invisalign Provider, our Burien team will check whether Invisalign is a good fit for your teen at a consultation and answer your questions about cost and timing.

Candid Clear Aligners

Along with Invisalign, we also offer Candid clear aligners. Candid works the same basic way. You wear a series of custom, removable clear trays, and each set moves your teeth a little at a time. Clear aligner treatment, including Candid, is a big part of Dr. Jonathan Everett’s cosmetic work.

Neither system is right for every bite. At your consultation, we’ll scan your teeth, look at how they meet, and tell you honestly whether Invisalign or Candid is the better fit, or whether something else would get you closer to the smile you want.

How the Invisalign Process Works

Because each phase is mapped out ahead of time, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect. Invisalign can often treat moderate crowding, spacing, and many bite issues if the case isn’t extremely complex. If it is, we might suggest traditional braces or another orthodontic system. We want you to receive the best possible outcome, so we’ll always offer our honest recommendation. If you’re weighing aligners against whitening, bonding, or veneers, our tips on comparing cosmetic dentists can help you prepare for your consultation.

Orthodontics: What It Is and Who It Helps

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and corrects misalignments of the teeth and jaws. Proper alignment is about more than having a pretty smile—straight teeth are typically easier to clean, less prone to excessive wear, and support comfortable jaw function.

Though orthodontic care was historically associated with children and teens, today, nearly one-third of orthodontic patients are adults. The American Dental Association recommends an initial orthodontic evaluation by age seven to catch any issues early, but it’s never too late to benefit from treatment. At Burien Dental, we see patients of all ages seeking a healthier, more functional bite.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

• Cleaner Teeth and Healthier Gums: Aligned teeth have fewer tight spots for plaque to hide, making them easier to brush and floss thoroughly.
• Improved Bite Function: Correct alignment spreads chewing force evenly, promoting effective biting and reducing stress on the jaw joints.
• Reduced Risk of Tooth Wear: Crooked teeth can wear unevenly and fracture more easily.
• Enhanced Facial Symmetry: Orthodontic corrections sometimes help balance the profile and jaw relationship.
• Boosted Confidence: A straight smile can encourage you to grin more often and feel prouder of your overall appearance.

Common Orthodontic Issues

• Overcrowding: Occurs when there isn’t enough space in the jaw for all adult teeth, causing overlap or twisting.
• Overbite: The upper jaw or upper teeth protrude forward over the lower teeth.
• Underbite: The lower jaw juts out, making the lower teeth sit ahead of the upper teeth.
• Crossbite: Some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite down, which can lead to uneven wear or jaw shifting.
• Open Bite: The upper and lower teeth don’t make proper contact when you bite together, often due to habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
• Spacing/Gaps: Extra space in the arches, either generalized or between specific teeth.

By diagnosing these issues early, treatment can be planned to intercept or correct alignment concerns. However, even if the problem has been present for years, orthodontics can still realign the teeth and improve the bite in adults and teens alike.

Braces for Adults: Orthodontic Options at Any Age

Many adults decide to correct long-standing alignment concerns because technology has made orthodontics more comfortable and less invasive. Adult treatment often requires a bit more time—your jaws are no longer growing, and teeth can be more settled in place—but the results are equally rewarding.

Why Adults Opt for Orthodontics

• Confidence in Smiling: Straightened teeth help many people feel more at ease when smiling, speaking, or taking photos.
• Functional Improvements: A misaligned bite can cause headaches, TMJ pain, or difficulty chewing. Proper alignment can help reduce these issues.
• Oral Health Benefits: Straight teeth are simpler to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. In addition, issues like gum recession or bone loss can worsen if teeth remain crooked for many years.
• Preventing Future Damage: An imbalanced bite can place extra force on certain teeth, leading to cracks or excessive wear. Realigning now can save you from more extensive restorative work later.

Types of Braces Adults Often Consider

• Traditional Metal Braces: Modern braces use smaller brackets that can be more comfortable than the large “train tracks” you might remember. To see how they compare with aligners day to day, read our guide on Invisalign vs. braces. They can handle even complex cases effectively.
• Tooth-Colored (Ceramic) Braces: These work like metal braces but use brackets that blend better with your teeth. They are less noticeable but can stain if you frequently consume coffee, tea, or other pigmented beverages without proper hygiene.
• Lingual Braces: Brackets and wires placed on the tongue side (back) of the teeth so they’re hidden from view. This approach requires a specialized technique and can be more complex, but the invisibility factor appeals to some adults.
• Invisalign® Clear Aligners: Removable trays that are nearly invisible when worn. Compliance is critical—if you forget to wear them, progress stalls. Not every adult case qualifies for aligners, especially if there’s severe crowding or jaw discrepancy, but many moderate cases respond very well.

Considerations for Adult Orthodontics

• Pre-Treatment Dental Work: Before starting orthodontics, any active gum disease or tooth decay must be addressed. We’ll do a full exam to ensure your mouth is healthy. Existing restorations like crowns or implants don’t always preclude treatment, but we may need to plan around them.
• Treatment Timeline: Movement can be slower in adults, partly because the jawbone is more rigid. That said, the final results can still be excellent.
• Orthodontic Check-Ups: Whether you opt for braces or aligners, you’ll have periodic visits so we can track your progress, adjust wires or provide new aligners, and ensure everything is on target.
• Retention: Like all orthodontic patients, adults must wear a retainer after active treatment to keep teeth from shifting back.

Improving your bite as an adult can be a transformative experience. Regardless of your age, you have options. Together, we’ll decide which appliance works best for your case and lifestyle. The outcome is a healthier, more confident smile that can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

Care After Orthodontics: Retainers Matter

Once your braces are removed or you finish your last set of aligners, there’s one crucial step left: retention. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back to their previous positions if not stabilized. Retainers hold teeth in their new alignment until the jaw, gums, and surrounding tissues fully adapt.

Why Retainers Are Essential

• Prevent Relapse: Without a retainer, your teeth can shift toward their original alignment. All the time and effort you put into straightening them can be undone.
• Maintain Your Investment: Orthodontic treatment represents a significant commitment. Wearing a retainer after is how you protect the final outcome.
• Support Bone Remodeling: After teeth move, the bone around them must remodel and solidify. Retainers hold your teeth in place during this critical period.

Common Retainer Types

• Hawley Retainer: Features a metal wire on an acrylic arch, occasionally adjustable to maintain the correct position.
• Essix Retainer: A clear plastic (PVC) tray that covers the teeth. It’s affordable and nearly invisible but can scratch or break more easily.
• Fixed Retainer: A wire bonded to the backside of a few teeth, typically used after rapid or significant tooth movement to prevent relapse.

Tips for Retainer Care

• Avoid losing the appliance: Always keep it in its case when not worn.
• Remove for eating and drinking: Prevents damage to the retainer and buildup of debris.
• Clean thoroughly: Brush Hawley retainers with a soft brush; use denture or specialized cleaner for clear plastic retainers.
• Wear as directed: Essential for stabilizing the teeth’s new position.

Who Can Benefit From Orthodontics?

Orthodontic treatment benefits children, teens, and adults alike. Malocclusions (improper bites) can affect speech, chewing, and facial symmetry. Severe malocclusions can also contribute to TMJ problems, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. Seeking early treatment can prevent the need for more extensive (and expensive) procedures later.

Typical Problems Orthodontics Can Resolve

• Overcrowding: Not enough space in the jaw for teeth to fit properly.
• Overbite: Upper jaw protrudes, creating a “toothy” look.
• Underbite: Lower jaw protrudes, making the chin appear overly prominent.

Why Straighten Teeth?

Straighter teeth don’t just look better—they function more efficiently. Crooked teeth can make oral hygiene difficult, potentially leading to decay, gum disease, and jaw issues.

1. Periodontitis (Gum Disease): Misaligned teeth are harder to clean, increasing the risk of bacteria buildup.
2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: An improper bite can strain the jaw, causing pain and headaches.
3. Tooth Injury: Protruding teeth are more susceptible to damage.
4. Uneven Wear: Misaligned teeth may force some teeth to work harder than others.

Orthodontic treatment—whether through braces or aligners—can correct these issues, improving both oral health and appearance.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign treatment typically ranges from $3,500 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of your case and the length of treatment.

Your exact cost will be based on your personalized treatment plan. You’ll receive a clear estimate before starting, so you understand your expected investment.

If your dental plan includes orthodontic benefits, a portion of the treatment may be covered. We accept most major dental insurance plans and are a preferred provider with Delta Dental PPO and Premier, Regence, Premera, Lifewise, and Guardian Dentalguard PPO. If you’re out of network, we’re happy to bill your insurance company on your behalf. Our team will help you review your benefits and provide a pre-treatment estimate so you know what to expect out of pocket.

For added flexibility, financing through Sunbit and Cherry allows you to break treatment into manageable monthly payments. Applications are quick, and many patients are approved within minutes.

Meet Our Invisalign Providers

Daniel La Rota, DMD

Dentist | Burien, WA

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Daniel La Rota, DMD

Dentist | Burien, WA

Dr. Daniel La Rota is a general dentist trained in complex care and oral rehabilitation, including aesthetics, oral surgery, and implant reconstructions. He grew up in the southeast after his family moved to the States from Bogotá, Colombia (Y sí, ¡él habla español!). He moved to Kentucky and received his dental training at the University of Louisville.

Dr. La Rota then moved to Seattle to complete advanced training at the VA Puget Sound in Seattle, WA. This rigorous program focused on bringing complex care to our veteran population. Dr. La Rota is passionate about making his patients’ experiences relaxed, enjoyable, and educational. He loves spending time listening to patients and their goals and helping them learn more about their smiles using a modern approach to smile design and comprehensive care.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science – University of Alabama
• Doctor of Dental Medicine – University of Louisville
• Residency in Hospital Dentistry – VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Jonathan Everett, DDS

Dentist | Burien, WA

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Jonathan Everett, DDS

Dentist | Burien, WA

Dr. Jonathan Everett grew up in Washington State and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington. He completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at Washington State University and has been a dentist for almost a decade in the Pacific Northwest. Alongside general dentistry, his cosmetic work focuses on clear aligner treatment, porcelain veneers, and crowns.

He served as President of the American Student Dental Association, Student Council Vice President, member of the American Dental Association, and as a board member of DentPAC for the Washington State Dental Association.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry – Washington State University
• Doctor of Dental Surgery – University of Washington

Ready to Get Started?

We invite you to schedule a consultation at Burien Dental to discuss your orthodontic needs. Whether you’re interested in Invisalign or exploring other braces options, we can guide you toward a straighter, healthier smile. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve the smile of your dreams!

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign in Burien, WA