Align Orthodontics > Orthodontic Treatments > Invisalign > Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

Invisalign FAQ

You may be very curious and interested in Invisalign. Here we try to answer many of the common questions people ask us regarding Invisalign Treatment.

  1. What is Invisalign?
  2. How does Invisalign work?
  3. What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?
  4. How long does treatment take?
  5. Does insurance cover Invisalign?
  6. How many people are in treatment with the Invisalign System?
  7. Is Invisalign FDA approved?
  8. Will wearing Invisalign aligners affect my speech?
  9. How often will I have to wear my aligners?
  10. How much does Invisalign cost?
  11. Does Invisalign really work?
  12. Do Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
  13. Will smoking stain the aligners?
  14. What’s the best way to clean my aligners?
  1. What is Invisalign? Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that allows doctors to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible, plastic appliances called aligners. Back to top
  2. How does Invisalign work? The patient meets with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist, such as Dr. Henry, who takes orthodontic records of the patient’s teeth, including impressions, and fills out an Invisalign treatment planning or prescription form and sends all the material to Align Technology.At Align, a computer model of the patient’s teeth is created from the impressions. Align then uses its advanced, 3-D imaging software to generate a graphical representation of the doctor’s treatment plan-almost like an animated movie of the way the patient’s teeth will move from the current position to the final desired position.The doctor reviews and approves the rendering of his treatment plan (the 3-D movie) on a secure portion of Align’s website. Align Technology produces a series of clear, plastic aligners that correspond to the stages of tooth movement in the 3-D movie.The patient wears each stage of aligners for approximately two weeks before switching to the next set in the series. Week by week, the patient’s teeth are straightened millimeter by millimeter. Back to top
  3. What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?
    • Nearly invisible: You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.
    • Removable: You can eat and drink what you want.
    • Better oral hygiene: You can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth.
    • Comfortable: There are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasion. Back to top
  4. How long does treatment take? Like traditional braces, the length of treatment depends on the complexity of the case. Treatment time is typically about the same as conventional braces – about a year. Back to top
  5. Does insurance cover Invisalign? Typically, an insurance policy that covers traditional braces also covers Invisalign to the same extent. In addition, many doctors offering financing through companies such as Chase® or CareCredit® as well as in-office financing. Back to top
  6. How many people are in treatment with the Invisalign System? More than 1 million patients worldwide have entered treatment with Invisalign. Back to top
  7. Is Invisalign FDA approved? Invisalign has FDA clearance as a Class II medical device. Back to top
  8. Will wearing Invisalign aligners affect my speech? Some people are affected more than others, but most adjust in a short period of time to the feeling of the aligners and do not have permanent changes in their speech. Back to top
  9. How often will I have to wear my aligners? Invisalign only works while you’re wearing the aligners. It’s recommended that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night, except to eat, brush, and floss your teeth. Back to top
  10. How much does Invisalign cost? Cost is always a concern, and only your doctor can determine the price of treatment. It is typically in the same range as ordinary metal braces, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the requirements of your case. Back to top
  11. Does Invisalign really work? Yes! In orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, Invisalign has been proven effective at straightening teeth. Back to top
  12. Do Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)? No! Invisalign aligners and Vivera Retainers do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers. These aligners and retainers are made with USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any medical device, you should consult with your health professional about your aligner or retainer treatment and any applicable risks of use. Back to top
  13. Will smoking stain the aligners? We discourage smoking while wearing aligners because it is possible for the aligners to become discolored. Back to top
  14. What’s the best way to clean my aligners? The best way to clean your aligners is to use the Invisalign cleaning kit, available for order at www.invisalignstore.com. As a secondary method, however, your aligners can also be cleaned by brushing them and rinsing them in lukewarm water. Back to top

 

Learn More About Invisalign:

Other orthodontic treatments available: