Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign is used to straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom-fitted aligners in place of traditional metal wires or brackets.

During the consultation process, our dental team will use iTero digital scanner technology to capture images of your teeth. These will be used to create a treatment plan based on your orthodontic issues and goals.

The images taken during planning will also be used to create a series of clear aligners that will fit your teeth precisely during each stage of the Invisalign treatment process.

During your treatment, each set of clear aligners will move your teeth in very small increments. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks before it is replaced by the next one in the series.

You will continue to switch to a new set for the entire duration of your treatment until your teeth are in their prescribed positions. The length of your Invisalign treatment will be determined by your dentist based on your specific needs.

The exact duration of your treatment will be determined by your dentist and can be impacted by a variety of factors.

Some of these factors include the misalignment of your teeth or jaw, the shape of your bite, and the amount of movement required to correct the issue.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of medical-grade, high molecular weight, thermoplastic polymers that are free of latex, parabens and Bisphenol A (BPA).

These materials are all FDA-approved and considered safe for long-term use inside the human body.

With Invisalign, visits for adjustments are not needed. This is because your treatment instead involves a simple switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks.

However, you will need to have checkups every four to six weeks. During these appointments, your dentist will take the opportunity to review your progress and general oral health, answer your questions, and adjust your treatment as required.

With Invisalign, you will find a variety of features like:

• A discreet, low-profile appearance
• Smooth outer texture for a more comfortable fit
• No need for tightening, just switch to your next set after two weeks
• Removable to make eating, brushing and flossing easier

The overall cost of your treatment with Invisalign will depend on several different factors. For instance, the more severe your misalignment is, the more aligners you'll need. This can impact the cost of treatment.

In many cases, the cost of Invisalign is comparable to that of traditional orthodontic treatment (braces).

If you are considering Invisalign, you may be pleased to know that patients of all ages find that clear aligners fit comfortably into day-to-day life.

You will be able to remove your aligners whenever you need to eat, drink, brush and floss. That means no dietary restrictions, and you'll be able to brush and floss thoroughly and consistently.

One of the many features of Invisalign is the ability to remove them when you'd like to eat. As a result, there are no dietary restrictions when it comes to Invisalign, so you can continue to eat all of your favourite foods.

To avoid staining your clear aligners, we recommend removing them when you consume beverages such as wine or dark sodas or if you are eating foods like berries. However, it is okay to wear them while drinking plain water.

Determining the number of sets of aligners you will need depends on the severity of your orthodontic issues.

Your dentist can provide you with an estimate of how many aligners you will need, based on a careful evaluation of your bite during an initial consultation.

Definitely. Any adult with a healthy set of teeth and gums can consider treatment with Invisalign.

More and more adults are deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment these days, in large part because options like Invisalign have become available.

Yes. Invisalign is a very popular choice among teenagers looking to have orthodontic treatment. There has even been a set of clear aligners specifically created for teens.

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. This can help prevent these molars from growing in on an angle.

On average, most patients switch to their new set of aligners every two or so weeks. Your dentist will provide you with a detailed treatment plan, including how often you should switch out your aligners.

There are a few steps that you can follow to properly clean your Invisalign clear aligners:

1. Rinse your aligners after taking them out to wash away dry saliva and plaque that can result in dental decay and bad breath.
2. Soak your aligners using a denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, and/or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals.
3. Brush and floss your teeth before placing your aligners back in your mouth. Failing to brush and floss properly can trap food debris and bacteria between your teeth and aligners, increasing your risk of dental problems and bad breath.
4. 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.
5. Give them a good rinse and put them back in.

You can remove your aligners when you are playing sports to help prevent any potential damage.

It is important to remember that you will need to wear Invisalign for at least 22 hours each day, so be mindful of this when planning sports and other activities.

You'll also want to invest in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, as orthodontic treatment can cause your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, and this can make them more susceptible to damage.

Yes! You can simply remove the aligners while you are playing your instrument. Don't forget to give them a little clean before popping them back in.

You will be given a storage case for your Invisalign clear aligners when you first receive them. You should place them in this case anytime you need to take them out. This will help protect them and reduce the risk of losing them.