Invisalign

To get the best results from Invisalign, consistency is key. You’ll need to wear your aligner trays for at least 20–22 hours each day. The only time you should take them out is when you’re eating or cleaning your teeth.

While this may seem like a lot, most patients find they quickly forget they’re even wearing the trays because they’re so comfortable. Remember, unlike traditional braces, Invisalign gives you the flexibility to remove your aligners when needed.

Surprisingly, Invisalign often works faster than traditional braces. On average, our Invisalign treatments take about 6 months to achieve the same results that traditional braces take about one to two years to deliver. However, your treatment time will depend on your specific needs and how closely you follow your treatment plan.

You may have heard of an “Invisalign lisp.” It’s possible that you may develop a slight lisp when you first start wearing Invisalign. The aligner trays slightly change the space inside your mouth and cause your tongue to move differently when you speak.

The good news is, this is temporary. Most patients adjust within a few days, and the lisp goes away on its own. If you do notice a lisp, practicing speaking aloud can help your tongue adjust faster.

No, you should remove your aligners before eating or chewing gum. Eating with the trays in can damage them or cause food to get trapped inside, which can lead to bacteria buildup and affect your oral health. Gum can also stick to the trays and distort their fit.

It’s best to only drink water while wearing your aligners. For all other foods and drinks, simply take the trays out, enjoy your meal, and brush your teeth before putting them back in.

Keeping your aligner trays clean is simple. Every night, remove them and gently brush them with your toothbrush. You can also soak them in a denture cleaner, Retainer Brite^®, or Invisalign^® cleaning crystals to ensure they stay fresh and sanitized.

For a quick clean, you can even use a clear anti-bacterial soft hand soap. Just make sure to avoid using toothpaste on your aligners, as it can scratch the clear plastic.

Misaligned or crowded teeth can make it difficult to properly clean between them, leading to plaque buildup, gum inflammation, and eventually gum disease. By correcting tooth alignment, Invisalign makes it easier to brush and floss well so bacteria and plaque don’t accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.

The removable aligners also allow you to stick to a good oral hygiene routine throughout your treatment, something that’s challenging with traditional braces. This helps keep your gums healthier and can reduce your chances of developing gum disease in the long term.

Yes, you can whiten your teeth during Invisalign treatment! Since the aligners are removable, you can use whitening products between wear times. Some patients even use their aligners to hold whitening gel in place, though it’s best to consult with your dentist first to make sure this option is right for you.

Yes, children and teenagers can use Invisalign, but it depends on their specific dental needs. Invisalign offers a special program called Invisalign Teen, designed for younger patients. However, a consultation with an orthodontist or dentist will help determine if it’s the best treatment option for your child based on their dental development and commitment to wearing the aligners.

It’s normal to feel slight discomfort when you switch to a new set of aligners, as they’re applying gentle pressure to move your teeth. However, if the discomfort lasts more than a few days or feels excessive, contact your dentist. They may adjust the fit or provide tips for managing the discomfort.

The cost of Invisalign varies depending on the complexity of your case and the number of aligners needed to achieve your desired results. Several factors influence the overall investment, including treatment duration and your specific orthodontic goals. We encourage you to schedule a consultation where we can evaluate your specific needs, discuss your treatment options and provide a detailed plan tailored to your specific needs and budget.

Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear plastic aligners that gradually shift your teeth into proper alignment. Each aligner in the sequence moves teeth slightly, and you progress to the next aligner every two weeks as your teeth adjust to their new positions. By wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily and switching through the complete series, your teeth move into the desired alignment over the course of your treatment.

Most patients complete Invisalign treatment in 12 to 18 months, though your specific timeline depends on the complexity of your case and how consistently you wear your aligners. Minor corrections might finish in as few as six months, while more extensive realignment could extend beyond 18 months. Your personalized treatment plan will provide a clear timeline estimate based on your unique orthodontic needs and goals.

Yes, Invisalign effectively corrects many types of bite issues including overbites, where upper teeth extend too far over lower teeth. The aligners apply controlled pressure to reposition both upper and lower teeth into proper alignment, addressing the structural cause of the overbite. During your consultation, our dental team will evaluate your specific bite issue and determine if Invisalign is the appropriate solution or if alternative treatments might be more suitable.

Invisalign typically causes minimal discomfort compared to traditional braces, though you may feel pressure and slight soreness during the transition to a new set of aligners. This sensation indicates the aligners are working to move your teeth and usually subsides within a day or two. The smooth plastic aligners won’t create painful sores inside your mouth like metal braces that can cut or irritate soft tissues.