Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about Invisalign clear aligners from the Norwood Dental Centre in Winnipeg.
Read on to see 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 the use of metal wires or brackets.
Advanced 3D computer imaging technology is used during the consultation process to create a treatment plan based on your unique needs and smile goals.
During each stage of your Invisalign treatment process, a series of clear aligners are manufactured to precisely fit your teeth.
Invisalign's clear plastic aligners are designed to move your teeth by tiny increments as your treatment progresses. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks before it is replaced by the next one in the series.
This process continues until your teeth are in their prescribed, corrected positions. The duration of your Invisalign treatment will be determined by your dentist and based on your specific needs.
Based on your needs, your dentist will determine the length of your Invisalign treatment plan.
Some factors that may influence the duration of your treatment include the alignment of your teeth or jaw, the shape of your bite, and the amount of prescriptive correction that your dentist deems necessary.
The Invisalign aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. They are BPA free.
Because there's no need to adjust or tighten your custom-fit Invisalign aligners – you just switch to a new set of aligners every two weeks – you will have brief appointments with your dentist every 4 - 6 weeks.
During these appointments, your dentist will take the opportunity to review your progress and general oral health, answer your questions, and make adjustments to your treatment as required.
Invisalign aligners are:
The cost of your Invisalign treatment plan will depend on the particulars of your case and the duration of your treatment. For instance, in the case of a severe malocclusion, the patient would require more aligners and a longer length treatment plan.
In many cases, the cost of Invisalign can be comparable to that of traditional orthodontic treatment (braces).
Integrating your Invisalign treatment plan into your everyday life can be comfortable and easy.
You can remove your aligners whenever you need to eat or brush and floss your teeth. That means you can still eat and drink your favourite foods and drinks, and brushing and flossing is just as easy as ever.
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!
To avoid staining your clear aligners, we recommend removing them when you consume dark-coloured beverages such as wine, coffee, or cola sodas.
The answer to this question will depend on the particulars of your case.
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 of advances in products such as Invisalign.
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 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 ('wisdom teeth') and prevent them from being misaligned.
Most patients change to their next set of aligners every two weeks or so, but as each case is different, 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 dried saliva and plaque that can result in dental decay and bad breath.
Soak your aligners using a denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, and/or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Be sure to 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 damaging them.
It is important to keep in mind that Invisalign aligners must be kept in for a minimum of 22 hours a day, so schedule sports/exercise accordingly.
You can also invest in a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth, as orthodontic treatments can cause your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, making them more susceptible to damage.
Yes! Simply remove your aligners to practice playing your instrument, and put them back in when you're done.
Your Invisalign aligners will come with a case, and to keep them safe, this is where you should put your aligners whenever you take them out.
Get in touch. We'd be glad to answer any other questions you may have.
