Invisalign® FAQ's

Invisalign treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. No brackets and wires, and none of the restrictions that come with metal braces.

Invisalign clear aligners are made of flexible plastic — specifically, a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® created exclusively for Invisalign treatment. Invisalign clear aligners are FDA-approved and contain no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten. They are thin, clear, and fit snugly over your teeth, making them virtually invisible.

Your doctor will create a unique, digital treatment plan that maps out the exact movements of your teeth. Your Invisalign clear aligners are then designed to apply the right amount of force to the right place at the right time based on your plan. Your doctor will be with you every step of the way to monitor your progress and ensure your aligners fit correctly.

Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible — people may not even notice you’re wearing them. You can remove them to eat and drink, to brush and floss, or for special occasions. There are no metal brackets or wires that could irritate your mouth or break, sending you to your doctor for an emergency visit. Unlike other brands, Invisalign clear aligners are made from patented SmartTrack material, which is more comfortable and provides a better fit. Invisalign aligners are also trimmed based on your gum line for comfort and appearance. As the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, Invisalign has improved over 8 million smiles.

Every smile is unique, which is why your Invisalign treatment starts with a consultation. During your consultation, your doctor will help you determine what Invisalign treatment can do for your smile. We cannot guarantee a particular treatment outcome, but encourage you to share your treatment goals with your doctor at your consultation.

Yes! Invisalign treatment can be a great solution to discreetly improve your smile. The innovations and technological advancements make it possible to fix nearly all common teeth-straightening and bite issues, from simple to complex. At your consultation we will do a full examination of your mouth to ensure treatment is suitable – a specialist referral may be needed for the most difficult treatment cases.

Invisalign treatment starts with a consultation. We will evaluate your smile and then map out a precise, customised digital treatment plan that showcases the step-by-step transformation of your smile – This is called your Clincheck. Once you approve your Clincheck, your unique aligners will be created. You will wear each set of aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, changing to a new set of aligners every 1 to 2 weeks, as directed by your doctor. Each set of aligners will gently and gradually shift your teeth into place, according to your treatment plan, until you reach your beautiful new smile. 

During your consultation, we will discuss your teeth-straightening goals with you and examine your smile in order to determine your specific needs. We may also talk to you about how quickly you can reach your new smile, as well as treatment cost. We will most likely recommend scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning before you begin Invisalign treatment to make sure your teeth and gums are in top health and to avoid unnecessary risks.

We will tell you how often you should change to new aligners (this can vary based on your individual treatment plan). We usually recommend changing Invisalign clear aligners weekly or every other week.

The length of treatment depends on multiple factors, like how complex your case is and how often you wear your aligners. We will determine exactly how long your treatment will take based on your specific needs. On average, Invisalign treatment time is 6 to 18 months, though you can start seeing results in a matter of weeks.

For the best results, wear your Invisalign clear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, taking them out just for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.

We will schedule regular appointments, usually about once every four to six weeks. The goal of these visits is to ensure your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned.

Your Invisalign treatment may require SmartForce® attachments, small tooth-coloured shapes that are attached to your teeth. These shapes serve as handles, giving the aligners something to gently push on in order to move your teeth with the right amount of force, and are what make complex tooth movements possible without braces. Invisalign clear aligners fit smoothly and tightly around them, so they’re barely noticeable. 
While not everyone who uses Invisalign clear aligners will need SmartForce attachments, if you need them, your doctor will attach them to your teeth at the start of or during your treatment and remove them when they are no longer needed.

In most cases, the cost of Invisalign treatment is similar to the cost of braces. We will determine the cost of your treatment based on how complex your case is and how many aligners you need. There are several options to make Invisalign treatment more affordable for you, such as monthly payment plans.

Invisalign treatment is the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, backed by more than two decades of innovation. Unlike braces, Invisalign clear aligners are removable and virtually invisible. There are no wires and brackets, so you don’t need to change the way you brush and floss. No other clear aligner is made from SmartTrack material. This groundbreaking technology helps move your teeth more predictably and can help you get the smile you want up to 50% faster.

Yes, Invisalign clear aligners can treat nearly all common teeth-straightening issues, from simple to complex. Many people who formerly had braces choose Invisalign treatment as the discrete solution to improve their smile when they find that their teeth have shifted back.

It depends. Talk with your us about the dental work you’ve had done, including veneers and crowns, and we will evaluate your individual needs.

Invisalign clear aligners are designed to move each tooth individually. Because bridgework connects two or more teeth, clear aligners may not be effective. However, there can be exceptions to this so book a consultation.

Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible from normal conversational distance. Others may not even notice you’re wearing them, making Invisalign treatment a seamless fit with your lifestyle.

Yes, you can remove your Invisalign aligners for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. You can take them off for special occasions, like a wedding, job interview, or for playing your favourite sport or instrument. Just remember to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day to get the best results.

None! Invisalign clear aligners are removable, so there are no food restrictions at all (hello popcorn!). With traditional wires and brackets, there’s a long list of foods you unfortunately can’t enjoy because they can damage or get stuck in your braces.

Invisalign treatment moves your teeth by applying gentle, constant force, but some people do feel temporary discomfort for the first few days of wearing a new set of aligners. Typically, people describe it as feeling “pressure” and it’s normal — it’s a sign your Invisalign clear aligners are working and transforming your smile. Please see your doctor if you have any concerns or experience continued discomfort.

You need to wear your Invisalign aligners 20 to 22 hours a day to get the results you want.

We discourage smoking while wearing Invisalign aligners because it can stain them.

No, chewing gum will stick to your Invisalign aligners. We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, including chewing.

It is very unlikely that your aligners would ever fall out, no matter what you are doing: sleeping, talking, laughing, etc. Invisalign clear aligners are designed to fit snugly around your teeth, so this should not be a cause for concern.

The answer depends on how long you’ve gone without wearing your Invisalign aligners. If it’s only been a short time, your aligners should still fit, but they might feel uncomfortable. If it’s been a longer time, talk to us about your unique situation.

The best way to clean your aligners is to use a specialised aligner cleaner. You can also brush them with a toothbrush and toothpaste and rinse them in lukewarm water. Never use hot water on your aligners — it could permanently warp the plastic.

That’s why it’s important to brush after every meal, before placing your Invisalign aligners back in your mouth.

It is very important to always ensure your aligners are clean and hygienic before placing them in your mouth. Aligner cleaning tablets keep your aligners clean, hygienic, and clear — they even remove plaque in as little as 15 minutes. Please do not use hot water at any time on your aligners — it could permanently warp the plastic.

If you lose or break an Invisalign aligner, immediately let us know. We will work with you to ensure you stay on-track with your treatment plan, which may involve wearing a previous set of aligners, your next set of aligners, or ordering replacements aligners.

We recommend that anyone who has completed orthodontic treatment, whether with braces or Invisalign treatment, use a retainer to prevent teeth from gradually shifting back toward their initial position. This is the only way to ensure you can keep the new smile that you love

While there are many different types of retainers, we recommend Vivera® retainers. They are produced by Invisalign and we believe they are the best quality retainers on the market. They are virtually invisible and made from a proprietary material 30% stronger than other leading clear retainer materials, which helps you keep your new smile. Your Vivera retainers will be custom-made from an impression or scan of your teeth using the same state-of-the-art technology used for Invisalign clear aligners.

We will give you specific instructions on how often you need to wear your retainers. Typically, you wear your first set full time, then based on our recommendation you may gradually reduce how much you wear them until you only wear them at night. We may also recommend a ‘Fixed retainer’ which is a thin wire attached to the back of the teeth for extra protection from unwanted movement.

If you lose or break your retainers, or simply run out, just get in touch with us. We can work with you on purchasing a new set of retainers, so you can keep showing off that smile!