A virtually invisible alternative to braces, Invisalign® is designed to help you achieve your best smile.
If you’re after a healthy, straight smile then Invisalign could be an ideal option for you. Invisalign helps you achieve a great smile that transforms your appearance, which can help you feel more confident.
Invisalign has helped transform millions of smiles worldwide. It’s an almost invisible braces alternative that will help you achieve a proper bite and a healthy smile.
What is it?
Invisalign works to straighten your teeth through using a series of clear, comfortable and removable aligners, which are like a very thin mouthguard or tray. Each aligner is slightly different, which moves your teeth gradually into the desired position.
Having straight teeth is important to keep your mouth clean and healthy while preventing future problems. Invisalign uses advanced 3D software, to allow you to see the end results of treatment before you even start. It won’t interfere with your lifestyle. It has even been proven to be as effective as traditional braces for treating a wide variety of orthodontic issues.
Orthodontists and dentists complete highly specialised training to become qualified Invisalign providers.
Need to know
Appointments
- You will need regular appointments
- At the first consultation visit your dentist or specialist will examine your teeth
- You will also have regular progress appointments, usually once every 4 to 6 weeks, to make sure that your treatment is going as planned
How long it takes
- The consultation will usually take around 30 to 60 minutes
- Progress appointments will usually take around 30 minutes or less
You may be asked about
- Your dental history and medical history
Before your appointment
- No special preparation needed
After your appointment
- You will need to follow the care instructions from your dentist or orthodontist
- You will need to remove your Invisalign aligners for eating, brushing and flossing
Quick tip
Remember to rinse your aligners every night and brush them gently with your toothbrush to keep them fresh and clean. Use the Invisalign cleaning system to keep your aligners clear.
Have questions?
The price of Invisalign will vary depending on your specific needs. The cost will also vary according to your treatment goals, the time treatment will take and the difficulty of your case. At your consultation visit with your orthodontist or Invisalign-certified dentist, they will determine the cost of the treatment.
You may experience some discomfort or pressure for a few days with each change of aligners. This is completely normal and is a sign that Invisalign is doing its job – moving your teeth to their new, straighter position. Any pain or discomfort you experience with Invisalign is noticeably less than the pain metal braces can cause.
Invisalign aligners may affect your speech in the short term, and you might have a slight lisp for a couple of days, similar to other orthodontic treatments. This should disappear once your tongue gets used to having the aligners in your mouth.
You will need to remove the Invisalign aligners to eat and drink, which means you can eat anything you would without them. Unless your dentist specifically tells you to avoid certain foods, you can eat anything you would normally. This is a big difference between Invisalign and traditional braces. However you should avoid chewing gum as it will stick to the aligners. It is also important to brush your teeth after every meal prior to reinserting the aligners to avoid bad breath and poor hygiene.
The length of your treatment will depend on the movement you require and can only be determined by your dentist or orthodontist. The length of time required for adolescent patients may vary and can be determined by your dentist or orthodontist.
Aligners are most effective when worn at least 20 to 22 hours a day. They should only be removed for eating, and brushing and flossing your teeth.
Invisalign is a great option for people who have already been through the process of traditional braces, but have since had their teeth move. Invisalign is also a good solution for adults who want to avoid the awkwardness and anxiety of traditional braces. Invisalign gives an almost invisible solution for re-aligning your teeth. Sometimes dentists and orthodontists also treat patients with a combination of braces and Invisalign.
Because of how bridgework and Invisalign each work, this would probably be impossible to achieve. Invisalign works by moving each tooth separately, while bridgework involves connecting one or more teeth to surrounding teeth. It would be very difficult to get these two treatments to work in sync with each other.