Curious about clear aligners? Here's a comprehensive guide to Invisalign — how it works, what to expect, and who's a good candidate.
What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. Each set of aligners is worn for about one to two weeks before you move on to the next in the series. The aligners are manufactured using 3D imaging of your mouth, so every tray is a precise fit.
Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners are removable and nearly invisible when worn. Treatment is planned digitally — before you even receive your first tray, you can see a simulation of the projected tooth movement from start to finish.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Invisalign is highly effective for adults and teenagers dealing with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, or crossbite. It is generally less suitable for severe skeletal malocclusions that would require jaw surgery or complex tooth rotations.
Age is rarely a barrier — we treat patients from their mid-teens onward. The most important factor is compliance: because the aligners are removable, treatment success depends on wearing them for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your Invisalign journey begins with a digital scan and a personalised treatment plan. We place small tooth-coloured attachments on certain teeth to give the aligners leverage for more complex movements. These attachments are barely noticeable and are removed at the end of treatment.
You will visit us every six to eight weeks so we can monitor progress and hand over your next set of trays. Most straightforward cases are complete within 6 to 12 months; more complex alignments can take 18 to 24 months.
Daily Life with Invisalign
Remove your aligners to eat and drink anything other than plain water. This means no food restrictions — unlike with metal braces, you can still enjoy crunchy, sticky, or staining foods and drinks. Just remember to brush your teeth before reinserting the trays to avoid trapping food against your teeth.
Clean the aligners themselves with cool (never hot) water and a soft brush or the Invisalign cleaning crystals. Avoid toothpaste, which can scratch and cloud the plastic. Most patients report minimal discomfort — a mild pressure sensation when switching to a new tray is normal and usually passes within a day or two.
After Invisalign: Keeping Your Results
Once your active treatment is complete, you will wear retainers to hold your teeth in their new positions. Initially this means wearing retainers full-time, transitioning to nights-only after a few months. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back if not retained — this is true for any orthodontic treatment, not just Invisalign.
The good news is that Invisalign retainers look and feel identical to the clear aligners you wore during treatment, so the transition is seamless.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
The best way to know is to book a consultation. We use a digital scanner for a quick, comfortable impression — no messy putty — and can show you a projected treatment outcome before you commit to anything.
Invisalign at Shuster Dent is available for adults and teens. Contact us or book an appointment online to find out if clear aligner treatment is the right path for your smile.