9 Invisalign Faq’s – Your Questions Answered

The other consideration regarding material, as well as its ability to do the job, is comfort. Other aligners such as smile direct are not made of the same material composition as Invisalign. If the aligner material relaxes, not only will it lose energy to exert the necessary forces, but it could start slipping. If they do come loose, they can then rub against the cheeks and gums and cause sores and further discomfort. To compensate for this, aligners are sometimes fitted extremely tightly, making it slightly painful and causing some discomfort each time a new aligner is used.

Invisalign aligners however are highly elastic, conforming more accurately to tooth structure for increased control and comfort. Invisalign individually designs each aligner to precisely match the shape of your teeth to minimise gum irritation. Invisalign generally causes less pain and discomfort than regular braces also.

Ultimately, the faster you change between aligners, the faster you will progress and the sooner you will reach your goal. With aligners that become loose after a few days of wear, the pressure declines, and tooth movements slow down. This means that for Smile Direct Club, you have to wait around two to three weeks to get a new aligner.

Invisalign treatment has, however, solved the problem of stress relaxation associated with other aligners. The innovative material that is used in Invisalign aligners retains its shape and applies a gentle and constant force, meaning that, depending on your individual circumstances, you may be able to change aligners every one to two weeks instead of every two to three. Depending on the complexity of your case, you could complete your treatment in as little as 6 months and start to see results in a matter of weeks. Complex cases can vary anywhere between 6-18 months.

After Invisalign treatment has finished some patients may need to wear their retainers 24/7 for up to 6 months. Whilst others only wear their retainers at night when they sleep

You should not drink any hot tea or coffee whilst wearing them as the aligners can stain, and plastic aligners may become warped and change shape. Sugary beverages and wine should also be avoided when wearing retainers as this can not only stain the aligners but can cause plaque accumulation and trigger decay as the liquid can seep between the aligners and teeth surfaces. The only time you do not need to remove them is when you are drinking water. It is important that you remove your aligners before eating and drinking.

It is difficult to say exactly how much an Invisalign treatment plan will cost as this is all dependent on the issues that are being corrected, the duration and complexity of each case. The average cost of clear aligners ranges from $2,500-$8500 depending on the severity of the case. However, an estimated figure of a 6-month treatment with 10-14 aligners may cost from $4,000 to $7,000 whereas a full 12-18+ month treatment can cost anywhere between $5,000-$8,500. At The Smile Designer treatment plans are developed with you to ensure you are comfortable with the course of action. With excellent dental care at an affordable price, you can rest assured your dental payments will give you the best value for money. We offer flexible payment options to suit your needs.

Here at The Smile Designer, we have invested in state-of-the-art technology to provide you with the results you need and to visually understand your treatment. We use a 3D imaging cerec scanner. These digitally designed aligners are created based on the molds of your teeth, therefore, customizing a specific treatment plan for everyone. The series of aligners that you receive are all shaped slightly different from one another and each aligner has its purpose. Unlike metal braces which need to be adjusted, Invisalign treatment allows for a quick in and out visit to your dentist every 6 weeks where you will receive your next batch of clear aligners. Each aligner is designed to put the necessary pressure on the teeth to shift and move the alignment of your teeth into the desired position. Invisalign aligners are changed up every 2-3 weeks as instructed by your dentist.

Cleaning aligners are particularly important, as we do not want any cavities forming. Removing aligners when eating and drinking and ensure you rinse your aligners between meals in social settings with warm water. We recommend that you brush your aligners morning and night.

Short answer yes! We offer In-chair dental whitening at The Smile Designer, and also offer a complimentary take-home kit with your Invisalign treatment. Although it is best to wait until the end of your Invisalign treatment as we do not want any whitening agents to cause more sensitivity while getting used to the aligners.