Invisalign treatment consists of a series of custom-made clear plastic aligner trays that you wear over your teeth with the purpose of gradually moving teeth into the correct position that your dentist has outlined for you. Invisalign works the exact same as traditional metal braces, but as opposed to braces, Invisalign has a reduced visual impact and is able to be removed at will. The plastic trays are customized to your teeth using a very specific plan designed by you and your dentist. The trays will be changed out every few weeks to fit your teeth as they slowly move into position. An added benefit is that your Invisalign trays can be temporarily removed from the mouth for important occasions.

Your dentist will first create an initial treatment plan before starting the aligner trays. Next, 3D digital images will be taken of the entire jaw, in order to look at your mouth in detail as well as see what your face might look like in future years. The technology can also show how the Invisalign trays will change facial aesthetics once completed. Once the planning is complete, a unique set of Invisalign aligners are created to fit your mouth. They are made of comfortable, smooth and clear plastic that you will begin to wear over your teeth. The Invisalign aligners will apply a controlled pressure to different parts of your teeth, allowing specific teeth to be moved with each new set of aligners that will be worn. The total amount of aligners required to be worn varies between patients, but typically there will be 20-29 aligner trays, with each set worn for approximately 2 weeks at a time before changing to the next set. You will need to visit your Pathways Dental Clinic dentist every 4-6 weeks in order to track your progress as well as to review your new aligner trays.

The cost of Invisalign treatment will vary from patient to patient, depending on each patient’s teeth alignment requirements. At Pathways Dental Clinic, your NE Calgary dentists will review with you and break down your treatment plan in detail, including costs and financing options, before starting any treatment. If you have any questions about treatment cost, please call us at (403) 455-5565 and our Calgary dental team will be happy to help.

While Invisalign treatment will be different for each patient depending on their orthodontic needs, general treatment time is between 9-15 months. You and your Calgary dentist will work closely together to create a treatment time plan that is specific to you and your needs. Typically there will be around 20-29 aligner trays, each set being worn for around 2 weeks at a time before switching out to the next set in the series. You will be asked to see your Pathways Dental Clinic dentist every 4-6 weeks in order to monitor your progress and determine if it is necessary to wear the aligners for longer or shorter periods of time. For best results, we recommend that Invisalign aligners be worn for 20-22 hours every day for the entire duration of your treatment. If you have any questions about your Invisalign treatment, please call us at (403) 455-5565 and we will be happy to help!

If the idea of wearing traditional metal braces is discouraging because of the look of the metal, Invisalign might be the right option for you! Invisalign trays are made of clear plastic, making them virtually invisible to everyone else. People may not even notice you are wearing the trays. Another benefit of Invisalign is the fact that they are removable. As opposed to traditional metal braces, you are able to remove the Invisalign trays when you eat and drink, without having food getting stuck in your trays, making flossing and brushing a lot easier. Invisalign does not use brackets to attach to teeth, making it a possibly more comfortable option when compared to traditional metal braces which can sometimes cause sores in the mouth. Invisalign is a great and effective orthodontic treatment option to straighten teeth that has a reduced visual impact when compared to traditional metal braces

You should clean your aligners every day, incorporating cleaning into your daily oral hygiene routine. While many people might assume that the best way to keep aligners clean is to use toothpaste, it should be avoided as it could create scratches or stains on your aligner trays. Instead, you should clean your aligners using a toothbrush with soft bristles, gently brushing your trays with clear antibacterial soap. Always make sure to avoid heavily scented or coloured soap, and always use cold water when brushing and rinsing as hot water will change the shape of your aligners. Try to store your aligner in a protective case when not wearing it in order to avoid it getting dirty when not in the mouth.

You will brush and care for your teeth as you normally would, removing the clear aligner trays from your mouth before you do so. It is recommended that you incorporate cleaning your invisalign into your daily hygiene routine. Try to stick to a cleaning method that you can do daily, brushing your teeth first and then moving on to cleaning the aligners, or vice versa.