Invisalign & Clear Aligners
Read through the FAQs below for answers to the questions our Lower Mainland BC dentists are asked most often about Invisalign.
While it is generally reported that Invisalign is considered to be more comfortable and hurt less than traditional braces, there is always a chance that patients will experience some discomfort. Our Straight Smile team is here to explain.
You never age out of your ability to straighten your smile with orthodontics like Invisalign. If you are concerned about the effectiveness of Invisalign as you get older, our Straight Smile Dentists are here to explain why you should not worry.
The Invisalign system is a treatment option to straighten your teeth and change the appearance of your smile without relying on metal braces. Using 3D computer imaging technology, Invisalign can create a prediction of your treatment plan, from the initial position of your teeth to the final desired position.
Based on this plan, a series of clear plastic aligners will be made to fit your teeth during each stage of your treatment process. These clear aligners are difficult to detect to the casual observer when worn, and you can remove them to eat, brush and floss your teeth.
A series of clear plastic aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth, and to move them little by little as your treatment progresses. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before it is replaced by the next in the series. This continues until the final position of your teeth is reached. Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor based on your specific needs. Learn More »
Your Invisalign treatment time will be determined by your doctor based on your specific needs. If your misalignment is mild, it could only take a few month. If it's more severe, it could take up to a year or more. Invisalign treatment in general takes about the same amount of time as treatment with traditional braces does. Learn More »
Your dentist may schedule appointments with you every 4 - 6 weeks. Since Invisalign aligners require no adjustments or tightening (you just switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks instead), this appointment will be relatively brief.
Your dentist will just use these appointments to monitor your progress and general oral health, answer your questions, and potentially make adjustments to your treatment if you are ahead of or behind schedule.
The Invisalign aligners are made with USP Class VImedical-grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins and are BPA free.
Invisalign aligners are...
Many people find that Invisalign fits well into their lifestyle! First of all, because they can be quite difficult to see when worn, many people won't even notice you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Secondly, you can take your aligners out whenever you need to eat, or brush and floss your teeth. That means no dietary restrictions, and brushing and flossing as just as easy as ever.
This will depend on the severity of your case and duration of your treatment. In short, the more severe the malocclusion, the more aligners you'll need and the more treatment will cost. Ultimately, though, the cost of Invisalign is often comparable to that of traditional orthodontic treatment (braces).
To get a better idea of how much your treatment will cost, download our handy Cost Calculator! But please note, only your dentist can give you an accurate idea of how much your unique treatment will cost.
Yes! Anyone who has healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for Invisalign. More and more adults are deciding to undergo orthodontic treatment these days, partly because lower profile options like Invisalign have become available.
Yes! Teens can certainly be candidates for Invisalign. In fact, Invisalign has created a line of aligners to meet the unique needs of teenagers.
Invisalign aligners are removable, meaning you can take them out to eat. As a result, there are no dietary restrictions when it comes to Invisalign, so you can continue to eat all the foods you love!
Invisalign aligners can stain, however, so make sure you take them out to drink things like wine, coffee, or dark pop.
Invisalign aligners are removable so you can play sports without worrying about causing damage to your aligners. However, keep in mind that Invisalign aligners must be kept in for about 22 hours a day, so plan your time carefully.
We also recommend investing in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, as orthodontic treatment can cause your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, and this can make them more susceptible to damage.
Yes! Simply remove your aligners to practice playing your instrument, and pop them back in when you're done!
This will depend on the severity of your misalignment. Only your dentist can give you an accurate estimate of how long treatment will take, based on a careful evaluation of your bite during an initial consultation.
Most patients change to their next set of aligners every two weeks or so. Your dentist will tell you how often you should switch out your aligners.
Your Invisalign aligners will come with a case, and this is where you should put your aligners whenever you take them out to keep them safe.
We Strive to Be Your Cosmetic Service & Invisalign Providers in BC.