Invisalign FAQs

The Invisalign clear aligner system is a series of clear, custom-fitted aligners that straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.

During your consultation process advanced 3D computer imaging technology will be used to create a treatment plan based on your unique smile.

A series of custom clear aligners will be produced to precisely fit your teeth during each stage of the Invisalign treatment process.

Invisalign's clear plastic aligners are designed to move your teeth in small increments throughout the duration of your treatment.

Each aligner in the series is worn for about two weeks before it is replaced with the next one in the series. This process will continue until your teeth are in their corrected positions.

Cost will depend on the severity of your case and duration of your treatment. For instance, the more severe the misalignment, the more aligners you'll need in your series and your treatment will costs will increase.

In many cases, the cost of Invisalign is comparable to that of traditional braces.

Invisalign aligners are:

• Removable for eating, brushing and flossing
• A more discreet solution than traditional braces
• Smooth construction for enhanced comfort
• Not requiring of adjustment appointments

What are Invisalign aligners made of?

The duration of your Invisalign treatment will be determined by your dentist based on your specific needs.

Factors that may determine the duration of your treatment include the misalignment of your teeth or jaw, the shape of your bite, and the amount of movement required to correct the problem.

You will be provided with your prescribed series of aligners so that you can switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks. Since Invisalign aligners require no adjustments or tightening you will only need to schedule brief follow-up appointments every 4 - 6 weeks.

During these appointments, your dentist will take the opportunity to review your progress and general oral health, answer your questions, and make adjustments to your treatment as required.

You may find that Invisalign fits very comfortably into your day-to-day life and maintain your oral care routine.

You can remove your aligners whenever you need to eat, or brush and floss your teeth. Therefore, you will have minimal dietary restrictions, and you can easily brush and floss your teeth.

The answer to this question will depend on the severity of your misalignment.

Only your dentist can give you an accurate estimate of how long your treatment will take, based on a careful evaluation of your bite during an initial consultation.

Most patients change to their next set of aligners every two weeks or so. Your dentist will tell you exactly how often you should switch out your aligners.

There are several options available to help you keep your aligners clean.

• Rinse your aligners each time you remove them to wash away dry saliva and plaque that can result in dental decay and bad breath.
• Soak your aligners using denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, and/or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals.
• Clean your aligners with a clear, anti-bacterial soft soap. Clear anti-bacterial soap is an excellent and inexpensive way to keep your aligners clear, fresh, and free from harmful bacteria.
• Gently brush your aligners with a soft tooth brush, so that you don't scratch them.

It is important to brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in your mouth. Good oral hygiene is key to maintaining healthy teeth and avoiding cavities and decay. Failing to brush and floss properly can trap food debris and bacteria between your teeth and aligner, increasing your risk of dental problems and bad breath.

Your Invisalign aligners will come with a case, and this is where you should put your aligners whenever you take them out to keep them safe.

Invisalign aligners are removable so you can play sports without worrying about causing damage to your aligners.

However, keep in mind that Invisalign aligners must be kept in your mouth for a minimum of 22 hours a day, so you will need to plan your time carefully.

Since orthodontic treatment can cause your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, your teeth can susceptible to damage. Therefore, you may also want to invest in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth.

Yes! Simply remove your aligners to practice playing your instrument, and place them back in when you're done.

Yes! Anyone who has healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for Invisalign.

Because Invisalign has become more accessible, more and more adults are deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment to improve their teeth and smile.

Yes! Teens can certainly be candidates for Invisalign. In fact, Invisalign has created a line of aligners to meet the unique needs of teenagers.

Invisalign Teen aligners have compliance indicators on them (small blue dots that fade away after the aligners have been worn for two full weeks) to help teens stay on track with their treatment.

They also come with eruption tabs that provide space for second molars and prevent them from growing in crooked.