Common questions about Invisalign answered

The average person is rarely happy about needing to have their teeth straightened.

And, when it comes to straightening your teeth as an adult, you will likely want to know a bit more about the options that are available to you. You will be glad to learn that if you are looking for an option that straightens your teeth with minimal visual impact and is more comfortable, you can now have this in an orthodontic tool that works!

Known as Invisalign, this aligner has changed the face of orthodontic care for adults, and now, our team at the Spa Dental are happy to offer it to our suitable patients at an affordable price.

But how does Invisalign work, and how long does it take? The answers to those questions and more are explored in the following FAQ section.

How do the invisible aligners work?

Invisalign works by using its custom-fitted shape to push your teeth into the desired location gradually.

Our dentist in Parramatta will need to take an intraoral scan of your mouth, and then, using computer technology, we will map how your teeth will need to move in order to reach the desired aesthetic goal. A 3D printer will then print the aligners, and they will be sent to our surgery. There will usually be between 12-16 aligners, and for them to work, you will need to wear each aligner for around 2 weeks, for around 22 hours a day.

How long does it take for invisible aligners to straighten teeth?

The length of time required for an aligner to straighten your teeth will vary.

On average, treatment with invisible aligners can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months, with most patients seeing noticeable improvements within the first few months of treatment. For more complex cases, treatment may take longer, up to 24 months or more.

It’s important to note that the length of treatment can also be influenced by how well you follow the treatment plan set down by our team.

Can aligners treat an under or overbite?

Invisible aligners can be very good for correcting certain types of overbite and underbite issues, depending on their severity.

Our team will need to assess the complexity of your orthodontic issue, but please note that more severe cases of overbite or underbite may require other types of orthodontic treatment, such as traditional braces, headgear, or other appliances, to correct them.

Are there any benefits of using invisible aligners?

Yes, there are lots!

The first is that, obviously, the aligners are clear, so there will be minimal (if any) impact on your appearance from wearing them. Next, they are easy to care for; you simply take them out to clean your teeth and can rinse them under cold water. There are fewer appointments required with our team, and you can even download an app for your smartphone to send our team weekly photos, allowing us to track how the treatment is going.

Are they expensive?

The cost of wearing invisible aligners varies greatly and can be influenced by how many aligners are needed, how often you visit us, and whether or not any replacement aligners are needed.

But, for a more accurate breakdown of how much the aligners will cost, you will need to visit our team.