Invisalign FAQs
Your Questions About Clear Aligners Answered
Over 12 million people have improved their smiles with Invisalign treatment, making it one of the most popular orthodontic solutions. If you’re considering getting clear aligners and would like to know more about what the treatment involves, check out our list of Invisalign FAQs and answers below.Â
Invisalign uses advanced 3D technology to create your treatment plan from start to finish. The clear aligners are almost invisible to the naked eye and work by moving your teeth gradually over time. Their discreetness makes them an attractive orthodontic treatment for adults, teens, and children.
As their name suggests, Invisalign aligners are almost invisible and aren’t detectable to others in everyday social interactions. They are also removable, giving you the option to eat your favorite foods and brush and floss your teeth as usual.
Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit snugly around your natural teeth, with smooth edges for added comfort. The lack of metal brackets and wires also makes them exceptionally more comfortable than traditional braces.
Finally, Invisalign treatment is completed predominantly at home. You won’t need to visit the dentist every few weeks to have your braces tightened, as you will simply graduate through each aligner every couple of weeks. As an added bonus, you’ll be able to see the virtual results of your treatment before your aligners even arrive!
Your smile is unique, so the cost of your Invisalign treatment will be too. Average costs for Invisalign are usually between $3,000 and $8,000, but there’s no way to tell how much your treatment would be without an appointment.
To find out how much your Invisalign treatment might cost, you can book a free consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists.
Invisalign aligners are made from transparent polycrystalline alumina – a strong and flexible material, developed by NASA, that offers supreme comfort compared to metal braces.
As Invisalign treatment doesn’t involve brackets and wires that can catch on the tongue and mouth, it is generally much more comfortable than traditional braces.
Some people experience minor discomfort when they first wear each new aligner tray, but this usually subsides within a few days. This is completely normal, and it is a sign that the treatment is working.
You must wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day. They must only be removed for eating, drinking fluids other than water, and brushing and flossing your teeth. You may also remove your Invisalign aligners when participating in sporting activities requiring you to wear a mouth guard.
Most patients report no effect on their speech when undergoing Invisalign treatment. However, a small minority do experience a slight lisp in the first few days of starting treatment. This quickly subsides after an initial adjustment period as you get used to wearing the aligners.
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that the treatment requires much fewer dental appointments than traditional metal braces.
Once you start your treatment, you’ll only need to visit us every 4-6 weeks, and this is just to ensure the treatment is going as planned.
Invisalign can generally fix the same mild-moderate malocclusions as traditional braces, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Gapped teeth (diastema)
- Open bite
- Under bite
- Over bite
- Cross bite
Invisalign may not be suitable for particularly complex cases of malocclusion. It is always best to book an appointment with our dentist to find out if Invisalign is the best course of action.
Invisalign is suitable for most people whose adult teeth have fully erupted, and there is no minimum age for the treatment. However, there are special modifications for Invisalign Kids and Invisalign Teens, which you can learn more about by booking an appointment with our dentist
Yes! Many patients prefer to opt for the discreetness of Invisalign. If you’d like to make the switch, please book an appointment with our dentist.
No. You must remove the aligners before eating, drinking fluids other than water, and chewing gum.
Smoking can stain and discolor your aligners and is very bad for your oral health. For this reason, we discourage smoking while undergoing Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear aligner trays that are molded to the shape of your mouth and teeth at each stage of the treatment. The aligners work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth to move them toward the appropriate position. Your teeth gradually become straight as you graduate from tray to tray every few weeks.Â
Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear aligner trays that are molded to the shape of your mouth and teeth at each stage of the treatment. The aligners work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth to move them toward the appropriate position. Your teeth gradually become straight as you graduate from tray to tray every few weeks.Â
As Invisalign treatment doesn’t involve brackets and wires that can catch on the tongue and mouth, it is generally much more comfortable than traditional braces.Â
Some people experience minor discomfort when they first wear each new aligner tray, but this usually subsides within a few days. This is completely normal, and it is a sign that the treatment is working.
Yes, in almost every way! While at-home aligners may seem like a cheaper, more convenient option, they are not supervised by a professional (which is essential in more complex cases). Additionally, you might need attachments to help move your teeth, which can only be installed by a dentist.Â
Invisalign may cost a little more than at-home aligners, but it is most certainly worth it for the peace of mind that your treatment is going to plan.Â
Yes, Invisalign can change your jawline as it moves the teeth. Depending on the complexity of your case, your dentist may recommend moving your jaw before undergoing Invisalign. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best course of action during your consultation.Â
As dental bridges link two or more teeth together and prevent tooth movement, they may pose a problem to Invisalign treatment. However, it is possible to work around them, and many of our patients have undergone Invisalign treatment successfully with dental bridges. We’ll advise you on whether Invisalign treatment is right for you during your appointment.Â
Dental crowns don’t usually impede Invisalign treatment. However, the tooth-colored attachments that are sometimes required to move the teeth are more difficult to bond to crowns. This doesn’t usually affect the treatment, as our dentists will typically reposition the attachments to other teeth. We will do a full assessment of your suitability for Invisalign treatment during your initial consultation.Â
Align Technology – the manufacturer of Invisalign – does not recommend Invisalign treatment for anyone who has symptoms of TMJ. There are a number of causes of TMJ issues, and orthodontic appliances can worsen symptoms in some cases. We will be more than happy to assess your suitability for Invisalign treatment – all you have to do is book an initial consultation.
Yes! As long as x-rays and scans are taken before conception, then you can continue your Invisalign treatment. If you have any doubts or questions, you can book an appointment with our Invisalign dentist.
No. As you will be removing your Invisalign trays to eat and drink fluids other than water, there are no dietary restrictions. However, it is extremely important to maintain good oral hygiene with Invisalign, in order to help keep your aligners clean and free from smells and stains. We recommend brushing and flossing after every meal – before you put your aligners back in.Â
Invisalign aligners can be cleaned easily and quickly by brushing and rinsing with lukewarm water and toothpaste. Do not use hot water during cleaning, as this can melt the aligners.Â
Because you typically need to move onto a new aligner tray every 2-3 weeks, a simple clean is usually more than enough. You may want to use Invisalign cleaning crystals or retainer tablets if they become stained or smelly. We recommend brushing and flossing your teeth before re-inserting your aligners, as this helps to keep them fresh and clean.Â
One of the best things about Invisalign trays is that they are hard to see, but that also makes them easy to lose! Should you misplace one of your aligner trays, you should reach out to us as soon as possible. To prevent your teeth from shifting too much, we usually recommend wearing the previous aligner tray or moving on to the next one. We may have to order a replacement aligner, though this is a rarity.Â
Remember, you should wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, and only remove them to brush and floss. Doing so decreases the likelihood of losing one.Â
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