Invisalign®

There are many options for patients who want to avoid metal braces! The most popular alternative orthodontic treatment is Invisalign®, which are clear plastic aligners designed to straighten teeth. After an examination of your teeth, your dentist will determine which option is best suited to your wants and needs.

According to the Invisalign® website, the cost for treatment is approximately the same as the cost for metal braces. A portion of this cost may be covered by your insurance. Please call us to set up a consultation and discuss potential payment plan options.

The first step is to schedule a consultation with your doctor, so they can devise a treatment plan that is best suited to your individual dental needs. Once approved, you will receive your first set of aligners. Your doctor will then regularly monitor the movement of your teeth and new aligners will be ordered according to the progress made in your treatment plan.

Invisalign® aligners are made of clear, flexible plastic. The company received a patent for this material – SmartTrack® – to be used exclusively for Invisalign treatment purposes. These aligners are FDA approved and nearly invisible!

Your doctor will give you an estimate regarding how long your Invisalign® treatment should take, which will depend on your specific needs. The average length of time for treatment is approximately 12-18 months. However, some patients may see results far sooner. Remember to wear your aligners exactly as instructed by your doctor to obtain the best results.

Your doctor will most likely recommend that you wear retainers following your Invisalign® treatment. This is a precaution that will prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positioning. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly to ensure long-lasting results.

You must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.

No. Unlike braces, you may eat whatever you like as long as you remove the aligners before eating. Prior to placing the aligners back on, it is important to brush your teeth and the aligners after you eat.

Like any orthodontic treatment, there is a short adjustment period. The more you speak with the aligners on, the quicker you will adjust.

There will be some pressure and minor discomfort for a day or two after each initial insertion. This is a sign that your teeth are moving sequentially into their final position.

It is recommended that you remove your aligners prior to chewing gum as the gum will stick to the aligners.

We discourage smoking with aligners as the cigarette smoke will tend to discolor them.

Brushing them with toothpaste will keep them fresh and clean.

Regular office visits are every five to six weeks. This will ensure that your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned.

All orthodontic patients are instructed to wear their retainers at night indefinitely. Sleeping with your retainers in at night will ensure a healthy bite and maintain the new position of your teeth.

Yes, if their teeth, including second molars, have grown in completely.

Invisalign® is a form of clear aligner therapy that uses a series of custom, removable trays to move teeth incrementally toward a planned result. Unlike traditional braces, aligners are virtually invisible and do not rely on fixed brackets and wires, which many patients find more discreet. Each tray represents a stage in a digitally planned treatment sequence, so movements are delivered gradually and in a controlled fashion.

Because the trays are removable, patients can continue normal eating and oral hygiene routines by taking aligners out for meals and cleaning. The digital planning process provides a visual simulation of expected tooth movement, allowing clinicians to refine the plan before fabrication. This combination of digital planning and removable appliances is what sets clear aligner therapy apart from conventional orthodontic options.

Many adults and motivated teens with mild to moderate alignment issues are good candidates for Invisalign®, including cases of crowding, spacing and certain bite discrepancies. Complex skeletal problems or severe tooth movement needs may still require orthodontic appliances or combined approaches, so a clinical evaluation is essential. Your clinician will assess tooth movement requirements, gum and bone health, and any restorative needs before recommending aligner therapy.

Suitability also depends on patient commitment to the prescribed wear schedule and oral care practices; consistent daily wear is critical to achieving planned results. Digital scans and imaging help determine whether clear aligners can address your specific concerns. If additional auxiliaries or refinements are needed, your provider will explain those options as part of a customized plan.

The initial visit begins with a thorough examination of teeth, gums and bite relationships to confirm that aligner therapy is appropriate and safe. Your clinician will discuss alignment goals, review any prior dental work, and address questions about the process, timeline and expected outcomes. Modern practices typically use an intraoral scanner to capture a precise three-dimensional model of the teeth and bite, which is faster and more comfortable than traditional impressions.

That digital model is used to create a step-by-step treatment simulation so you can preview the planned tooth movements and final outcome. This preview allows you and the clinician to make adjustments to goals or staging before aligner fabrication begins. The consultation also includes instruction on daily wear expectations, care routines and follow-up scheduling.

Treatment length varies by case complexity but many patients complete active aligner therapy within several months to about two years for more involved movement. The digital treatment plan outlines the number of trays and the estimated timeline, but actual duration depends on patient adherence and biological response to the movements. Clinicians typically recommend wearing aligners for most of the day—removing them only for eating and oral care—to maintain steady progress.

Trays are commonly changed every one to two weeks according to the provider’s protocol and the specific staging of movements. Regular monitoring visits or remote check-ins help ensure teeth are tracking as planned and allow timely refinements if progress deviates from the simulation. Staying on the prescribed schedule and attending follow-ups keeps the treatment on track and reduces the need for significant midcourse changes.

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is important during aligner therapy because trays cover teeth and can trap sugars and plaque if proper care is not followed. Remove aligners for meals and brush and floss before reinserting them to reduce the risk of staining, decay and gum irritation. Clean aligners daily using a soft brush and lukewarm water or a clinician-recommended cleaning product to preserve clarity and hygiene.

Avoid hot water or abrasive cleaners that can warp or scratch the plastic. Store aligners in their case when not in use to prevent loss or damage, and bring the case to appointments so replacements can be coordinated if necessary. If you notice persistent irritation, odor or visible deposits on trays, contact your dental team for guidance rather than attempting home remedies that could damage the aligners.

Mild pressure and transient soreness are common when starting a new set of aligners or when attachments are first placed, because the trays are exerting controlled forces to move teeth. This sensation typically peaks in the first few days after switching trays and subsides as teeth adapt to the new position. Over-the-counter pain relievers and soft foods can help manage temporary discomfort, and your clinician will provide specific recommendations based on your case.

Serious or prolonged pain is uncommon and should be evaluated, as it can indicate an issue with fit or an underlying dental condition. Regular monitoring allows clinicians to identify and address fit concerns quickly, and adjustments can be made to improve comfort while maintaining treatment progress. Clear communication with your dental team ensures any unexpected symptoms are managed promptly.

Attachments are small, tooth-colored composite bumps bonded to selected teeth to provide the aligner with purchase for specific movements, such as rotations or extrusions. They act like temporary handles that allow the tray to apply more targeted forces where needed, improving predictability for complex tooth movements. Attachments are discreet and removed once their role in the treatment is complete.

The decision to use attachments is made during treatment planning based on the digital simulation and the types of movements required. Your clinician will explain the purpose of any attachments and demonstrate how they interact with the aligners so you know what to expect. Because attachments can affect cleaning techniques, specific care instructions will be provided to maintain oral health around those areas.

Progress is monitored through scheduled in-office visits and increasingly through digital check-ins that allow clinicians to evaluate fit and alignment remotely. At these checkpoints the clinician compares actual tooth movement to the planned simulation and assesses oral health to determine whether refinements are needed. If teeth are not tracking as expected, additional trays, refinements or slight plan modifications can be fabricated to address the discrepancy.

Adjustments are a normal and expected part of individualized care and reflect a clinician’s commitment to precision rather than a failure of the system. Prompt communication about fit issues, discomfort or lost trays helps minimize delays and keeps the treatment timeline efficient. Your provider will outline the process for requesting replacements or initiating refinement stages so you understand how changes are managed.

Retention is essential to preserve the new tooth positions after active aligner therapy, because teeth can shift back toward their original positions as tissues and bone remodel. Retainers can be removable or fixed; removable retainers are typically worn full-time initially and then tapered, while bonded fixed retainers are adhered to the back of teeth when long-term stabilization is indicated. Your clinician will recommend a retention strategy based on your case, relapse risk and lifestyle factors.

Following the prescribed retainer schedule and attending post-treatment check-ups helps ensure results remain stable over time. Retainers require routine care similar to aligners—cleaning, safe storage and periodic inspection for wear. If a retainer is damaged or lost, contact your dental team promptly to arrange repair or replacement and avoid unintended movement.

To begin, schedule an initial consultation so a clinician can evaluate your teeth, discuss goals and determine whether clear aligner therapy is appropriate for your needs. During that appointment you may receive a digital scan and a preview of the proposed treatment plan, which provides a clear roadmap for estimated stages and outcomes. The team will also explain daily wear expectations, hygiene protocols and the follow-up schedule so you are fully informed before treatment begins.

At Artistic Family Dental the goal is to combine digital planning with clinical oversight to deliver efficient, health-focused treatment that aligns with your objectives. If you decide to proceed, the practice coordinates fabrication of your custom aligners and schedules instruction for insertion, care and monitoring. Contact the office to arrange an evaluation and learn more about the steps involved in starting care.