FAQs About Invisalign

An Invisalign aligner is a custom-made, clear plastic tray designed to fit snugly over your teeth. Manufactured from SmartTrack® material—a medical-grade, BPA-free thermoplastic—these aligners apply gentle, continuous pressure to guide your teeth into their ideal positions over time without the need for metal brackets or wires.

The duration of treatment varies depending on the complexity of your dental alignment. On average, adult treatment takes between 12 to 18 months. However, minor adjustments can take as little as 6 months, while complex cases may take longer. Your provider will give you a precise timeline during your initial consultation.

Yes, for the vast majority of patients, Invisalign is just as effective as traditional metal braces. It successfully treats crowding, gaps, and various bite misalignments. However, extremely severe skeletal jaw discrepancies or complex tooth rotations may occasionally require traditional orthodontic intervention.

Invisalign aligners are widely considered much more comfortable than metal braces. Because they are custom-molded to your gumline and smooth to the touch, they eliminate the risk of painful cuts, scratches, or irritation to your cheeks and gums often caused by brackets and wires.

To achieve optimal results within your projected timeline, you must wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. They should only be removed when you are eating, drinking anything other than plain water, or performing your daily oral hygiene routine.

No, you should always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides cool water. Chewing food with the trays in can crack or warp the plastic, while colored or sugary beverages can stain the aligners and trap harmful bacteria or sugars against your enamel, increasing the risk of cavities.

Cleaning your aligners is simple. Rinse them with lukewarm water every time you take them out. Brush them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, liquid antibacterial soap or a specialized Invisalign cleaning crystal solution. Avoid using hot water, as it can permanently warp the plastic shape.

Yes. Thanks to continuous technological advancements and the use of “attachments” (small, tooth-colored dots bonded to your teeth to give aligners extra leverage), Invisalign can now correct complex issues, including severe crowding, deep overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.

The cost of Invisalign is comparable to that of traditional braces and depends heavily on the complexity of your case and the number of aligners needed. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost, and most practices offer flexible, interest-free monthly financing options to fit your budget.

Invisalign is not painful, but you will feel temporary pressure and mild soreness for the first day or two after switching to a new set of aligners. This sensation is completely normal and simply indicates that the aligners are doing their job and safely moving your teeth.

One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is that the trays are entirely removable. You can take them out for meals, oral hygiene, and occasional special events like a speech, wedding, or photo shoot. However, discipline is key; leaving them out for too long will stall your progress.

If you consistently fail to wear your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day, your teeth will not move according to schedule. This can result in your current trays tracking poorly, extending your overall treatment time, or requiring a mid-course correction and new dental scans.

Typically, you will need to schedule progress checks every 4 to 6 weeks. During these brief appointments, your dentist will monitor your tooth movement, ensure your treatment is on track, and provide you with your next few sets of aligners.

When you first start wearing aligners, you may notice a very slight lisp as your tongue adjusts to the plastic trays. This minor speech impediment is temporary and usually disappears within a few days as you practice talking and reading aloud.

Patients with crowns can easily undergo Invisalign treatment. However, dental bridges connect two or more teeth together, which can prevent individual teeth from moving. Your dentist will evaluate your bridge work to see if a customized treatment plan can work around it.

While both options are discreet, clear braces utilize ceramic or porcelain brackets bonded directly to your teeth, connected by a metal wire. They remain fixed in place. Invisalign, on the other hand, consists of completely removable, smooth plastic trays that contain absolutely no brackets or wires.

If you have fully erupted adult teeth, healthy gums, and the discipline to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day, you are likely an excellent candidate. A comprehensive digital scan and evaluation by a qualified dental professional are necessary to confirm eligibility.

Absolutely. Invisalign is highly effective at treating a wide array of malocclusions, including overbites, underbites, open bites, and crossbites, by using specialized elastics and attachments that guide both the teeth and the jaw into alignment.

Yes, wearing a retainer is mandatory after any orthodontic treatment. Retainers prevent your teeth from naturally shifting back to their old, crooked positions. Initially, you will wear your retainer full-time, eventually transitioning to nighttime-only wear.

Getting started is easy! Simply schedule an initial consultation. Your dentist will take 3D digital impressions of your mouth, map out a precise, step-by-step treatment plan, show you a virtual preview of your future smile, and order your custom trays.

When choosing a provider for clear aligner therapy, expertise matters. Dr. Alireza Moshaverinia is a world-renowned, board-certified prosthodontist who infuses advanced biomaterials science and artistic precision into every smile transformation. At Encino Advanced Dentistry, Invisalign is approached not just as an orthodontic correction, but as a comprehensive cosmetic and functional enhancement. Using state-of-the-art iTero digital scanners, Dr. Moshaverinia meticulously maps out each tooth movement to complement your natural facial symmetry, guaranteeing a seamless treatment experience that delivers breathtaking, stable, and highly predictable results.
 
Ready to unlock the straight, healthy smile you have always dreamed of? Visit Encino Advanced Dentistry for a comprehensive consultation and experience the very best in advanced, personalized orthodontic care. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 5363 Balboa Blvd, #434 Encino, CA 91316. We serve patients from Encino CA, Tarzana CA, Van Nuys CA, Sherman Oaks CA, Calabasas CA, and surrounding areas.