Read here for some answers to the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign clear aligners from our Go Dental dental team in Calgary.
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions.
The Invisalign clear aligner system is a series of clear, custom fitted aligners that straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
Advanced 3D computer imaging technology is used in the consultation process to create a treatment plan based on your unique smile.
A series of custom clear aligners will be manufactured to fit your teeth precisely during each stage of the Invisalign treatment process.
Invisalign's clear, plastic aligners are designed to move your teeth in small increments as your treatment progresses. You will wear each clear aligner for about 2 weeks before they are replaced by the next one in the series.
The treatment process will continue until your teeth have reached their prescribed and corrected positions. The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on your smile's unique needs and will be determined by your dentist.
Your dentist will determine the duration of your Invisalign treatment based on your specific needs.
Factors that may determine the duration of your treatment include the misalignment of your teeth or jaw, the shape of your bite, and the amount of movement required to correct the problem.
The Invisalign aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. They are BPA free.
Since Invisalign clear aligners don't require adjustments or tightening, you will only have to attend short appointment with your dentist every 4 - 6 weeks and switch to the next aligners in the series every 2 weeks.
During these check-in appointments, your dentist will take the chance to review your progress and general oral health, answer any questions you might have, and make any required adjustments to your treatment as your require.
Invisalign aligners are:
The cost of your Invisalign treatment will depend on the severity of your specific case and the length of your treatment. For example, the more severe the malocclusion, the more aligners will be required in order to complete the treatment and the more it 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 comfortably into your day-to-day life.
You can take your aligners out whenever you need to eat, or brush and floss your teeth. That means absolutely no dietary restrictions, and brushing and flossing is just as easy as ever.
Invisalign clear aligners can be removed, meaning you can take them out when you wish to eat. Because of this, there aren't any dietary restrictions involved in Invisalign treatment! You can continue to eat all of the foods you love.
To avoid accidentally staining your clear aligners, we advise you remove them when drinking anything besides water, especially coffee, wine, or dark soda.
The answer to this question will depend on the severity of your misalignment.
Only your dentist can give you an accurate estimate of how long your treatment will take, based on a careful evaluation of your bite during an initial consultation.
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, in large part because options like Invisalign have become available.
Absolutely! Teens are able to be candidates for Invisalign treatment. In fact, Invisalign has a special line of clear aligners to meet teenagers' unique needs.
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.
They also come with eruption tabs that provide space for second molars and prevent them from growing in crooked.
Most patients change to their next set of aligners every two weeks or so. Your dentist will tell you exactly how often you should switch out your aligners.
Rinse your aligners each time you remove them to wash away dry saliva and plaque that can result in dental decay and bad breath.
Soak your aligners using denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, and/or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in. Good oral hygiene is key to maintaining healthy teeth and avoiding cavities and decay. 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 keep your aligners clear, 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!
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 a minimum of 22 hours a day, so plan your time carefully.
You'll also want to invest 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.
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.
Get in touch. We'd be glad to answer any other questions you may have.