Invisalign Clear Aligners FAQ

It’s never too late to straighten crooked teeth. If you have ever felt self-conscious about your smile, you owe it to yourself to schedule an appointment with one of our Invisalign dentists. As the name suggests, Invisalign is nearly invisible aligners designed to move your teeth little by little into a beautiful healthy smile. Continue reading to learn if Invisalign braces are right for you.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Wish you could straighten teeth without braces? Invisalign fits over your teeth and exerts enough pressure to safely move teeth into optimal alignment. Our dentists use advanced 3D computer imaging to take pictures of your teeth, gums, and jaws. Your dentist then creates the best treatment plan for your smile.

Once you have a treatment plan, a series of clear aligners are custom made. You will wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks before it is replaced by the next in the series. Each set of aligners you wear will bring you closer to your ideal smile.

How Often Must I Wear Aligners?

You must wear your Invisalign aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. Otherwise, your teeth will not move according to schedule. Only remove your aligners to brush your teeth and eat.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?

Many of our patients appreciate that Invisalign is subtle enough to go undetected by family, friends, and co-workers. If you would feel self-conscious wearing metal braces, ask your dentist about Invisalign.

Unlike teeth braces, you’ll be able to continue eating your favorite foods during Invisalign treatment. Simply remove your aligners to eat and drink. However, you will need to brush and floss your teeth after meals to prevent staining your clear aligners.

It’ll be much easier maintaining your oral health when you’re able to brush and floss normally. People with metal braces often have a hard time cleaning teeth around wires and brackets.

How Long Does It Take Invisalign to Straighten Teeth?

In general, our adult patients achieve their best smiles within 12 months. However, keep in mind that the length of your treatment will depend on the complexity of your case. Each patient is different.

How often do I need to see the dentist during treatment?
Depending on the complexity of your case, your dentist will need to see you every 4 to 6 weeks to monitor your progress. If you’ve been diligent about wearing your aligners, your dentist will be able to give you the next set of aligners in the series.

Does Invisalign Hurt?

Invisalign works by exerting pressure on teeth to safely move them into optimal alignment. While you will experience temporary discomfort within the first couple of days of wearing new aligners, the pain will go away. The pressure you feel is a sign that your teeth are moving to their final destinations. Many of our patients feel that the temporary discomfort is worth having a beautiful healthy smile.

Will Invisalign Restrict My Diet?

No. Invisalign aligners are removable, which means you can continue eating your favorite foods. However, make sure you brush and floss your teeth after meals to avoid staining your clear aligners.

Our dentists are dedicated to helping you achieve your best smile with Invisalign and other cosmetic dentistry services. To schedule your appointment with our Ann Arbor Invisalign dentists, call New Era Dental at 734-339-2131.