ANSWERING THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INVISALIGN CLEAR ALIGNERS

INVISALIGN® FAQS

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS POPULAR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

HELPING TO EDUCATE PATIENTS ON INVISALIGN TREATMENT

THE TOP 10 MOST ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INVISALIGN TREATMENT

If you’ve been wondering if Invisalign treatment is right for you and what it entails, you’re not alone. This type of orthodontic treatment has gained popularity among teens and adults alike wanting to achieve a straighter smile discreetly. Before beginning treatment, you may have many questions running through your head, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most common questions we receive about this treatment plan in hopes of further educating our patients and helping them determine the best treatment for them.  

TOP 10 INVISALIGN FAQS

The Invisalign treatment involves straightening your teeth, filling in gaps, and aligning your bite with the help of clear, custom-fitted aligners. They’ll slowly move your teeth into place and will be switched out approximately every weekly depending on your specific treatment plan and mouth. They do not feature metal brackets or wires but rather flexible, durable, medical-grade plastic that, according to the Invisalign website, does not feature latex, parabens, phthalates, glutaraldehyde, epoxy, or BPA.

While every patient’s treatment plan varies, it is typically estimated that Invisalign treatment will take 6-18 months. Traditional braces typically take longer.

When you first start wearing your clear aligners, you may experience some discomfort or pressure, but this shouldn’t last longer than a couple of days. Just remember that every patient reacts to treatment differently. Some patients may experience some discomfort and pressure again when their aligners are switched to new ones, whereas others may not.

You do not need to restrict your diet with Invisalign aligners seeing as you take them out to eat. Remember to always remove your aligners to eat or drink anything but water as they can get damaged or discoloured. You should also brush and floss before you put them back in your mouth as debris in your teeth can also cause discolouration.  

Every patient’s treatment plan varies, however, we typically recommend booking check-up appointments while receiving Invisalign treatment approximately every 4 weeks. During these check-ups, we’ll ensure your teeth are clean and that treatment is working as planned. This is when you may also receive a new set of aligners to continue encouraging your teeth to shift into the desired position.

In most cases, Invisalign treatment costs around the same, if not less, than traditional braces, however, your specific cost will be determined based on the timeline you’ll be wearing them, how many aligners you’ll need, and how complex your case is. Some dental insurance plans cover the cost of Invisalign treatment – we can coordinate with your insurance provider and offer direct billing services. We’re very flexible and can discuss payment plans with you if necessary.

Some patients may have trouble with their speech when they first begin wearing their aligners, but you should get used to them in no time and go back to speaking clearly within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Cleaning your aligners is easy! There are a couple of different ways we recommend cleaning them – firstly, you can buy Invisalign cleaning crystals, which are specifically made by the Invisalign company and meant for sanitizing your aligners. All you have to do is place your aligners in a lukewarm cup or bowl of water and mix in one pack of cleaning crystals. Let it stand for 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water, and they’re good to go! Or, you can do the same with denture cleaners such as Polident. If you don’t have any cleaners, you can very gently brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Do not rinse or clean them with hot water as this can warp the material, do not use harsh soaps as this can discolour them, and do not use a hard-bristled toothbrush as this can scratch/damage them.

While Invisalign treatment isn’t used to fully treat TMJ, it can assist with treating it. Misaligned teeth are often associated with TMJ disorder, therefore, shifting the teeth into place and relieving pressure on the jaw and surrounding muscles with Invisalign aligners can help reduce TMJ symptoms like headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty chewing.

It’s recommended to avoid smoking or chewing gum while wearing Invisalign. Smoking can discolour and stain the clear aligners, making them more visible. Additionally, chewing gum can stick to the aligners, causing damage or warping their shape. If you smoke or chew gum, it’s best to remove the aligners first. Be sure to brush your teeth and clean the aligners before reinserting them to maintain oral hygiene.

CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Ready to start discussing Invisalign treatment in person? Book a free consultation with our team today! We’ll happily go into more detail about how the Invisalign treatment process works, if it’s the right treatment option for you, and more. We’re open 6 days of the week and offer convenient appointments – whatever works best for you works for us! We look forward to discussing this treatment plan with you and helping you achieve your smile goals. 

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