Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign clear aligners are a series of customized plastic trays that are worn over your teeth, correcting their placement without the metal wires or brackets that come with braces. 

Based on your unique smile, we will develop a personalized treatment plan, using 3D computer imaging technology during the consultation process. 

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

Invisalign clear plastic aligners are designed to shift your teeth in small increments during your treatment. Each aligner is intended to be worn for about 20 to 22 hours per day for about two weeks, before you replace it with the next aligner in the series. 

The process progresses until your teeth are in their corrected, prescribed positions. Your dentist will determine the duration of your Invisalign treatment, based on your specific requirements.

Your individual needs will be identified by your dentist, who will then determine the duration of your treatment. 

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

The Invisalign aligners are made with BPA-free, USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight polyurethane resins. 

No adjustments are required with Invisalign aligners – you'll just change to a new set of aligners every two weeks or so. Therefore, you may only need to see your dentist for a brief appointment every four to six weeks to review your progress, answer any questions, and adjust your treatment, if necessary.

The features of Invisalign include:

• A low-profile appearance
• Removable for eating, brushing and flossing
• Do not require adjustment appointments
• Smooth construction

Cost of Invisalign treatment will depend on the severity of your case and the length of your treatment. The more severe the misalignment, the more aligners will be needed to correct your bite, contributing to treatment cost. 

In most cases, Invisalign treatment is comparable to traditional orthodontic methods, such as braces. 

Most people find that Invisalign fits very comfortably into their day-to-day lives. As the aligners are clear, low-profile and often hard to detect, many people will not realize that you are wearing them at all. They can be removed for brushing, flossing, eating and drinking. There are also no dietary restrictions.

However, it's important that you wear them for 20 to 22 hours each day for them to be effective.

Because Invisalign aligners are removable, there are no dietary restrictions, so you can keep eating all the foods you love! 

To avoid staining your clear aligners, we recommend removing them to consume beverages such as dark sodas, coffee or wine.

Your dentist will determine this answer based on your initial assessment and the severity of your misalignment. There will be a careful evaluation of your bite during the initial consultation. You will have an indication of the duration of your treatment and the number of aligners required following the consultation.

Yes! Anyone with healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for Invisalign clear aligners. 

Now more than ever, adults are seeking orthodontic treatment with options such as Invisalign.

Absolutely! Teens can definitely be candidates for Invisalign. In fact, Invisalign has created a line of aligners to address the unique orthodontic needs of teenagers. 

The features in Invisalign Teen that will help adolescents stay on track with their treatment include compliance indicators (small blue dots that fade away after the aligners have been worn for two full weeks). 

They also come with eruption tabs, which provide space for second molars and keep them from growing in crooked.

Your dentist will determine how often you need to change your Invisalign aligners, but patients usually switch them every two weeks or so.

Each time you remove your aligners, rinse them to wash away dry saliva and plaque, which can lead to bad breath and dental decay. 

Using denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, and/or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals, soak your aligners. 

Before putting your aligners back in, brush and floss your teeth. Excellent oral hygiene is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and avoiding decay and cavities. Failing to brush and floss correctly can trap bacteria and food debris between your aligner and your teeth, increasing your risk of bad breath and dental issues. 

Clean your aligners using a clear, anti-bacterial soft soap. This soap is a fantastic and inexpensive way to keep your aligners fresh, clear, and free from harmful bacteria.

Gently brush your aligners so they don't get scratched, then rinse off the soap. Then you're done!

Because you can remove Invisalign aligners, you can play sports without worrying about damaging them. 

You should keep in mind that the aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day, so schedule your time carefully. 

We also encourage our patients to invest in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, as orthodontic treatment can cause your teeth to loosen slightly as they move into their new positions, which can make them more vulnerable to damage.

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

Whenever you remove them, you should put your aligners in the case they come with to keep them safe.