To be effective, Invisalign or clear aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, every day until your treatment is complete. Invisalign or clear aligners should only be removed for meals and when you brush and floss your teeth.
Clear aligners are customized orthodontic treatments that are designed to align teeth and jaws for comfort, functionality, and good oral health. Aligners are changed about every two to 3 weeks throughout the treatment so that certain teeth can be moved at certain times. Your entire treatment plan is designed by your clear aligner provider before the process begins and your progress is monitored through periodic check-ups with your dentist. With clear aligners, the bulk of the responsibility for treatment success is on the patient. You must be dedicated to the treatment and wear and change the aligners as indicated by your dentist for the clear aligners to do their job.
Because orthodontics by definition are intended to alter a person’s bite and the position of their teeth, there will of course be some discomfort when you wear clear aligners. Most patients describe a feeling of pressure as they put each new set of aligners in place every few weeks, but this is a good thing. You want to feel pressure on your teeth to confirm that the aligners are properly in place and moving your teeth as intended. What clear aligners do avoid for all patients is the pain of the sharp wires and brackets of traditional metal braces.
No, you should not eat while wearing clear aligners. Drinking water is the only thing that should be ingested while the aligners are in your mouth in order to avoid damaging your aligners through chewing or staining the aligners with dark foods and beverages. Clear aligners can and should be removed every time you want to eat.
Yes, it is important to clean your aligners. Some people believe that since the aligners are changed out every few weeks, upkeep of the aligners that are currently in rotation is not necessary. But the aligners can quickly go from invisible to visible if they are covered with food, bacteria, plaque, and saliva. You should rinse your aligners every time you remove them from your mouth, and before you put them back in your mouth. It’s also a good idea to clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in after a meal so that food particles are not trapped between your enamel and the snug-fitting aligners. Depending on your specific brand of aligners (Invisalign, Six Month Smiles, or Sure Smile), your provider will recommend the best cleaning method for your aligners which may include soaking, brushing (gently and without abrasive toothpaste), and special cleaning solution based on your specific brand of aligners.
While every clear aligner provider will have their own pricing sheet that is typically affected by your dentist’s experience level, geographic location, and the complexity and length of your case, there are usually different levels of clear aligners offered which your dentist will discuss with you during your consultation.
If you are dealing with severe crowding or spacing issues, don’t be surprised if your treatment takes longer than the average 12 months. If you do not have dramatic alignment problems but are seeking a major change in your smile that eliminates all signs of crooked or misaligned teeth, your treatment may be less intensive. The cost of your Invisalign will reflect the treatment time.
Generally speaking, clear aligner prices are comparable to the cost of traditional metal braces and can range between $5,000 and $7,000 total. Because of the level of experience we have in providing clear aligners to our Buford, Georgia patients, our all-inclusive clear aligner treatments cost about less than what most orthodontic specialists charge. Our product is no different, the treatment is just as customized, but we are able to provide a competitive rate because of our level of expertise. We offer quick treatments with great results because of our exceptional status with clear aligner name brands such as Invisalign, Sure Smile, and Six Month Smiles.
