More than 6 million patients have used clear braces, such as Invisalign, to successfully straighten their smiles. With help from the comprehensive dentistry specialists at Prestige Family Dentistry in Beaverton, Oregon, you can improve your smile as well! Find out how you can get a straight smile without metal braces by booking online or calling the Beaverton area office today.

Invisalign Q & A

How is Invisalign different than traditional braces?

Clear braces (including Invisalign) and traditional braces do the same thing — straighten your teeth — but they’re completely different methods. Traditional braces use a complex metal wire-and-bracket system to shift your teeth and roots. Clear braces, in marked contrast, use clear aligners crafted from a proprietary thermoplastic material (SmartTrack® in the case of Invisalign.)

Your aligners are fabricated using detailed digital images of your mouth. Prestige Family Dentistry designs the entire treatment plan ahead of time using their state-of-the-art computerized mapping system.

The smooth and flexible aligners are incredibly comfortable and easy-to-wear, which means no inner-mouth damage from wires or brackets like you could experience with traditional metal braces.

Though traditional braces are on your teeth permanently for the duration of your treatment, clear braces are removable. With clear braces, including Invisalign, you don’t have to change the way you eat or brush your teeth, because you remove your aligners for both things.

How often do I change my Invisalign aligners?

It depends on your specific treatment plan, but most clear brace users, change aligners out every one to two weeks throughout treatment. The exact number of aligner pairs that you’ll have in total depends on the duration of your treatment plan.

How many hours do I wear my clear aligners daily?

Each brand (including Invisalign) recommends wearing your aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Take your aligners out before you eat or drink and before brushing. It’s fine to remove your clear aligners for special occasions once in a while, but be sure to stick with your daily wear pattern of 20-22 hours a day otherwise.

How long does it take to get results with clear braces?

You could notice an improvement in only a few weeks, with steady progression throughout treatment. The total treatment time averages around 12-18 months for most patients.

Do I have to use a retainer after my clear braces treatment?

Prestige Family Dentistry highly recommends wearing a retainer following completion of your treatment. The clear braces (including Invisalign) give you the results you want, but the retainer helps you keep those great results. Right after movement, whether it’s traditional or clear braces, your teeth are still settling into their new places. This means they’re more likely to move at that time — but the retainer prevents it.

You can still be metal-free with your retainers, too. Vivera® retainers, made by Invisalign, are an example of transparent retainer just like your aligners, so you can continue your orthodontic treatment without anyone ever knowing. Generally, most patients wear a retainer for the same time that they wore clear braces, but every case is unique.

Are clear braces right for me?

Clear braces might be a good choice for you if you don’t want to commit to metal braces, either for comfort or aesthetics reasons. Of course, clear braces wearers need to be diligent about consistent wear. Some very young patients aren’t quite ready for the responsibility yet. But, in general, clear braces are a very convenient and easy option for both teens and adults to improve their smile.

To find out how clear braces, including Invisalign, can completely revamp your smile, call Prestige Family Dentistry, or click online scheduling today.