Invisalign® is a custom-made set of clear plastic aligners which are comfortable and invisible as compared to traditional braces. If you are looking to straighten your teeth using the latest technology, Invisalign® is your best choice. Invisalign aligners are often called ‘invisible braces’.

Patients who can wear the Invisalign aligners for at least 20- 22 hours a day are eligible for Invisalign®. It is also the most recommended treatment for older teenagers and adults.

Custom aligners are created after taking a mould of your teeth which can be used to create a digital scan or by scanning your teeth directly using the latest imaging technology. These scans are used to create your custom aligners. Aligners are shaped such that they apply pressure in the right places to shift the alignment of the teeth. Based on your orthodontist’s recommendation, your aligners might need to be changed every one or two weeks.

A significant number of patients who have previously opted for traditional braces have switched to Invisalign® which is a more discrete solution to improve their smile further. The best person to guide you would be your Invisalign provider after the initial consultation. Please make sure to let your provider know of any other dental work you’ve had done.

It may take a day or two for your mouth to get the feel of the Invisalign aligners. This depends on person to person and is a temporary effect. Though it is recommended to keep the aligners for 20-22 hours per day for best outcomes, you may remove them for important occasions like weddings, job interviews etc. 

However, removing the aligners for the purpose of smoking or using tobacco is a bad idea as the aligner trays get impacted and leads to overall wellness of your mouth and other organs as well.

Following an Invisalign^® treatment, the steps to be followed are:

• Wear your retainer
• Clean your retainer
• Schedule regular dental checkups

Invisalign^® can help with the following problem areas

• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Excess overjet
• Gaps between teeth
• Crossbites
• Under bites
• Deep bites

Yes, your teeth will move back if you do not wear a retainer. Retainers maintain the tension on your teeth to hold them in place after the Invisalign® treatment.

There are various options if you lose or damage an aligner. In some cases, your orthodontist can provide you the next set of aligners after conducting a thorough examination. However, in some cases, if your teeth have not moved enough to fit the next set of trays as part of the treatment plan, your orthodontist can get you the same set of aligner trays to continue the course of treatment which can cost around $100.

It is essential to wear the retainer for around 22 hours a day after Invisalign. This should continue for nearly 6 months – for some people it might be longer than 6 months. After a couple of months of following the above routine, the patient’s teeth will be adjusted to the new alignment. The orthodontist may now suggest the patient to put on the retainers only at night. 

It is advisable to wear the retainer as long as the duration of the orthodontic treatment or as prescribed by the Orthodontist.

Invisalign® aligners are usually made from acrylic material or plastic and fit firmly over the patient’s teeth. It is nearly invisible and also does not disrupt normal day-to-day activities.