Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign is a series of custom-fitted clear aligners that work to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.

Leveraging advanced 3D computer imaging technology during the initial consultation process, we will create a custom treatment plan based on your unique smile.

A series of custom clear aligners will then be manufactured to fit your teeth specifically during every stage of the Invisalign treatment process.

As your treatment continues, Invisalign clear plastic aligners are designed to move your teeth by small increments. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks replacing it with the next one in the series.

This process will continue until your teeth are in their prescribed, corrected positions. Your dentist will determine your needs and decide the duration of your Invisalign treatment.

Your specific requirements will be identified by your dentist, who will determine the duration of your Invisalign treatment.

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

USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight polyurethane resins go into each and every Invisalign aligner. They are BPA free.

Your dentist will schedule brief appointments with you every 4 to 6 weeks. You'll spend less time in your dentist's office than you would with braces as Invisalign aligners require no adjustments or tightening – you just switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks.

During these appointments, your dentist will review your progress and general oral health, answer your questions, and adjust your treatment as needed.

Invisalign's features include:

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

The duration of your treatment and the severity of your case will determine the cost of your Invisalign clear aligners. For instance, the more severe the misalignment, the more aligners you'll need and the more your treatment will cost.

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

You may find that Invisalign fits very seamlessly into your day-to-day life.

You can take your aligners out whenever you need to brush, floss, eat or drink. This means absolutely no dietary restrictions, and brushing and flossing is just as easy as ever.

Because Invisalign aligners can be removed, you can take them out to eat. For this reason, there are no dietary restrictions when it comes to Invisalign, so you can continue to eat all the foods you love!

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

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

Only your dentist can give you an accurate estimate of how many aligners you will require, based on a thorough evaluation of your bite during an initial consultation.

Yes! As long as you have healthy teeth and gums, you could be a potential candidate for Invisalign.

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

Yes! Teens can absolutely be candidates for Invisalign. In fact, Invisalign has created a line of aligners to meet the unique needs of this age group.

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 and remember to change their aligners when appropriate.

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

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

Each time you remove your aligners, rinse them to wash away any plaque and dry saliva that collect on them as this can result in bad breath and dental decay.

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

Brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in. Fantastic oral hygiene is key to maintaining healthy teeth and avoiding tooth decay and cavities. 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.

Clean your aligners with a clear, anti-bacterial soft soap. Clear anti-bacterial soap is an excellent and inexpensive way to ensure your aligners stay clean, fresh and free from harmful bacteria.

Brush your aligners gently so as not to scratch them, and then rinse off the soap. Then you're done!

You can remove your Invisalign aligners to play sports without worrying about causing damage to your aligners.

However, remember that you must keep your Invisalign aligners in for a minimum of 22 hours a day, so plan your schedule carefully.

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

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

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