How Does Invisalign Work?

Finding a teeth straightening treatment as an adult can be a challenge, especially since most people aren’t comfortable wearing traditional metal braces outside of their teen years. Whether you had braces as a teen and now need another treatment, or if you’ve never had orthodontic treatment before, you may be unaware of how far the industry has come in the past couple of decades.

Invisalign hit the market in July 2001 as a more convenient and discreet alternative to braces. Today, it’s still a household name, and millions of adults have used the treatment to achieve a more flattering smile. Known for being inconspicuous and more comfortable than braces, Invisalign is a highly successful brand. However, not everyone knows exactly how the treatment works.

If you’ve been considering Invisalign, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Invisalign process and help you decide whether Invisalign is the right choice for your teeth.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is similar to other clear aligners in its design and function, but a few key things set it apart. First, let’s go over how Invisalign works, and then we’ll discuss its unique features.

Like all clear aligners, Invisalign is a system of custom trays designed to straighten teeth. A dentist or orthodontist trained in Invisalign treatment takes a digital scan of your mouth and uploads it to Invisalign’s proprietary software called ClinCheck®. From there, your provider uses the software to calculate the exact amount of force necessary to complete each movement. This helps your doctor make more precise dental shifts, decreasing treatment time and improving patient comfort.

Based on this data, a series of trays are made to create a beautiful, functional smile in the least amount of movements. Each tray moves certain teeth in a very exact way. Once those movements have been made, you move to the next set of trays until treatment is complete.

Trays are worn for 22 hours per day and only taken out to eat and clean your teeth. If you are drinking anything other than water, the trays should be removed, too. That’s the basics of clear aligner therapy! Now that we have the basics down, what makes Invisalign unique? Aside from its patent SmartTrack® material, there are two key features to Invisalign treatment that sets it apart from other clear aligners on the market.

SmartForce® Attachments

Sometimes stubborn teeth need a little encouragement to help move. SmartForce® attachments are small, tooth-colored bits that your dentist can affix to your teeth before you begin treatment. They’re designed to help exert a little more force. SmartForce® attachments make more complicated tooth movements possible without any brackets, wires, or other appliances. Not every patient will need them, but it lets patients with more complicated bite issues use Invisalign who might not have been able to.

Mandibular Advancement Feature

Some patients who ask about Invisalign treatment have what’s called an overbite — a protrusion of top front teeth over the bottom one. The mandibular advancement feature can help your teen’s jaw move forward while they wear their aligners, eliminating the need for complicated orthodontic procedures. This feature incorporates wings on the backs of your teen’s aligners that help move the jaw forward.

We’ve talked about Invisalign, how it works, and what makes it unique, and you’ve decided you want to get Invisalign treatment. The next few sections will discuss treatment and how to get started. Let’s go!

Getting Started With Invisalign

The first step to getting started with Invisalign is choosing a provider. Fortunately, Invisalign is so popular that most dentists offer it through their practice, so if you already have a local dentist, there’s a good chance that they’re a provider! If not, it shouldn’t be difficult to find someone. Once you’ve chosen a provider, you’ll need to schedule a consultation so they can evaluate your teeth.

During your initial appointment, your dentist will take photos and x-rays of your teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. If so, they’ll take digital impressions of your teeth and send them to Invisalign’s dental lab. Invisalign’s lab will collaborate with your dentist to create a personalized treatment plan and custom aligners. It typically takes around four weeks to make and ship your aligners. Then, you can schedule an appointment to pick them up from your dentist’s office.

Before taking your new aligners home, you’ll have a chance to try them on and make sure they fit comfortably. Your dentist will also give you instructions for wearing your aligners during treatment. Most importantly, you should wear your aligners for 22 hours per day, only removing them to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Additionally, most dentists recommend brushing your teeth after meals and cleaning your aligners at least once per day.

At the end of your pick-up appointment, we recommend making a note of your dentist’s office hours and contact information. If you have any issues before your next visit, you’ll want to know how to get in touch with the office.

What To Expect During Treatment

Depending on the severity of your case, your Invisalign treatment will last about 12-15 months. During this time, you’ll visit your provider every 4-6 weeks to monitor your progress. If everything looks good, you’ll move to the next set of trays. If it doesn’t, your dentist may have you wear your current set for a little longer. Each new set of aligners will slowly move your teeth until they’ve reached the desired position. You may experience some discomfort after changing aligners, but the soreness usually subsides after a couple of days.

It’s extremely important to follow your dentist’s instructions throughout treatment. As we previously mentioned, you should wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day to make sure you finish treatment on schedule. Remember, constantly removing your aligners could prolong your treatment time.

It’s also essential to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water. Invisalign trays aren’t designed to withstand the force of chewing or biting. If they get broken, heavily stained, or damaged, you’ll need to order replacements and wait for them to arrive in the mail. So, play it safe and follow your dentist’s instructions carefully to make sure your treatment is safe and successful.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign is a versatile and thorough treatment option, but it’s not right for everyone. It can treat almost any condition that braces can, including most cases of crowding and spacing. Even patients with more complex misalignments or bite issues are typically good candidates for Invisalign.

As we previously discussed, SmartForce attachments are the most common way for dentists to supplement Invisalign treatment. They help your aligners make more detailed movements and can be used to treat more complex misalignments.

Unfortunately, Invisalign is not a good fit for anyone who has existing dental work like bridges or implants, severely rotated teeth, large gaps, or significant overbites or underbites caused by skeletal issues.

It’s also worth mentioning that since you’ll have to remove your trays to eat, you may need to limit your snacking to make sure you’re wearing your aligners for the required 22 hours per day. Taking them out for too long or forgetting to put them back in could prolong your treatment.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign doesn’t have a flat price. Your cost depends on the complexity of your case and which dentist you choose. Each dentist has slightly different rates, so some may be cheaper than others. Plus, more complex misalignments require more aligners to correct. On average, you can expect to pay around $5,000.

If you don’t have thousands of dollars lying around, you’re not alone. And it might be more convenient for you to pay for treatment over time. Most dentists offer financing plans to help make the cost of treatment more manageable. Some are in-office plans set up by the dentist, and some offices offer third-party financing through companies like LendingClub or CareCredit. Keep in mind most financing programs require a credit check or a hefty deposit, and your approval isn’t always guaranteed.

Your dental insurance may have orthodontic coverage. Many plans cover a percentage or specific dollar amount, but they generally only cover one round of orthodontics per person, so if you don’t wear your retainer and need retreatment, it may not be covered.

Contact your provider to find out the details of your plan. If you do have coverage, your dentist’s office can likely handle the paperwork for you and walk you through the reimbursement process.

Pros & Cons of Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign is the #1 clear aligner brand, but like any other dental treatment, it has both pros and cons. While Invisalign is a well-established and widely respected brand, there are some drawbacks to treatment. These are our top pros and cons of Invisalign:

Alternative Clear Aligner Options

Invisalign currently leads the clear aligner industry, but it’s not the only option available. There are additional treatments, both in-office and at-home, that could be the perfect fit for you. If you’d prefer to stick with an in-office treatment, ClearCorrect is the most popular Invisalign alternative. The treatment plan is almost the same as Invisalign, and most dentists and orthodontists offer it in their practice. ClearCorrect is typically slightly cheaper than Invisalign, costing $3,000–$6,000. Plus, ClearCorrect was founded in 2006, so it has almost an equally impressive track record.

If the major drawback of Invisalign for you is the required office visits, you may be happier with an at-home clear aligner service instead. Home aligner treatment was introduced in 2014 as a faster and more convenient alternative to Invisalign — at less than half the cost. With home aligners, you can complete treatment in roughly 6 months, with a dentist monitoring your treatment remotely.

Final Thoughts

Invisalign is one of the most recommended and well-established alternatives to braces available. It has transformed millions of smiles and doesn’t show signs of slowing in popularity. Still, you should weigh the pros and cons for yourself to decide whether it’s the right treatment for you.

If you’ve been considering getting Invisalign, schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss your options. They’ll let you know whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and help you choose the best treatment for your teeth.