The manufacturing is really cool and went hand-in-hand with the advances in 3D printing 20+ years ago. We use a 3D scan and then use CAD CAM software to program in specific movements that I want on each tooth. Each tooth can move a maximum of 0.25 mm/direction of movement/tray. Then acrylic models of the teeth are 3D printed, with these sequential movements built in. Afterwards, the plastic is melted and sucked down on each model of the upper and lower teeth. Finally, the plastic is trimmed around the acrylic models and the models are removed, leaving a clear tray.​

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How long does Invisalign treatment take?

The length of Invisalign treatment varies depending on the complexity of your case. Most patients complete treatment in 10–18 months, although some minor corrections can take as little as a few months. Braces, in general, are more efficient at tooth movements. This is a common advertising push that Invisalign or clear aligners are magically faster. There are a few types of tooth movements like rotated lateral incisors or canines that take longer with aligners. Anytime a tooth has to be brought down or extruded, the trays have a hard time “grabbing” the tooth. The lateral incisors are more conically shaped teeth and some patients have small incisors. Even when I place attachments on the teeth to anchor them, it still takes a while. Just for comparison, to extrude a tooth 1 mm with braces would take about 3-4 weeks. To extrude with aligners would take about 3-4 months. Aligning high canines or rotating canines also take longer. Canine teeth have the longest roots in the mouth and therefore move slowly. So the time really depends on exactly what movements we need to do with the aligners. I'm pretty accurate on my time estimates so we will discuss at your consultation appointment. 

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Is Invisalign as effective as braces?

Yes—Invisalign can be just as effective as traditional braces for many orthodontic problems, including crooked teeth, gaps, crowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites with Invisalign. See our Invisalign Teen cases for overbite correction with Invisalign and severe crowding cases for adults. 
 

How many hours per day do I need to wear Invisalign?

For the best results, Invisalign aligners should be worn 20–22 hours per day. They should only be removed when eating and brushing your teeth. You definitely need to take them out to eat but some patients choose to drink with the trays in. The trays will take on the color and flavor of whatever you are drinking. For example, piping hot coffee is not a great idea with the trays in since the hot liquid can distort the plastic but iced coffee through a straw works well.

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Can I wear my Invisalign only at night when sleeping?

No! There is some misleading advertising and misconceptions around wearing the trays for the recommended 22 hours/day. Some companies claim that you can only wear the trays at night to achieve the same movements. This might be true for very small movements (like closing up a hairline space) but physiologic tooth biology does not correlate with these claims. The way teeth move through the jaw bone requires consistent pressure on the teeth for at least 14-16 hours before the bone cells start “working.” The remainder of the hours in the day is when the teeth actually move.

 

For all of my fellow science nerds, tooth movement occurs with bone resorption on the surface area of the root in the direction of movement followed by bone deposition on the other side. These cells need time for this to happen, especially with more challenging tooth movements, such as rotations. Who knew bone biology was so interesting!? ;) Whew! 

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Is Invisalign painful?

Most patients experience mild pressure or soreness for a day or two when switching to a new set of aligners. Since the trays are changed every week with sequential movements, the pressure on the teeth is incrementally smaller and way more comfortable than braces. Braces are “tightened” all at once and the pressure levels are more initially, making them more uncomfortable. I just don't get a lot of complaints about pain with aligners. I recommend switching your trays at night before bed so you can sleep through any tightness or pain the first new tray.

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Can I eat normally with Invisalign?

Yes! One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that there are no food restrictions. The teeth and the trays are easy to keep clean – there is no food that gets stuck in the trays since you are taking the trays out.

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How do I keep the Invisalign attachments from staining?

A tooth-colored composite material is used for the clear aligner attachments; however, Invisalign attachments can get stained from food or drinks consumed. This can make the button more noticeable and give a yellowish appearance. At VCO Orthodontics in Arlington, these are some of our tips we share with our patients to help prevent the staining of the Invisalign attachments. I recommend avoiding eating or drinking anything that naturally stains your teeth. Staining is more common if you drink a lot of dark liquids like coffee, tea, or red wine, or eat foods with a strong pigment like turmeric or curries. Blueberries and cherries will also stain Invisalign attachments. For darker beverages, it does help to drink through a straw to avoid the discoloration of the Invisalign attachments. It is also important to avoid drinking or eating with the trays in. It is best to take the trays out when drinking anything with color. The drink can get trapped between the teeth and the aligners, making discoloration occur faster.

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How can I make my Invisalign attachments whiter? My teeth look stained and yellow. 

While the Invisalign attachments may stain over the course of your treatment, they do not cause any type of damage or staining to your teeth themselves. I will polish off the attachments at the end of treatment and this will remove any staining around the buttons or attachments. You can also come in and see me anytime during treatment to polish off your attachments to make them white again. The biggest culprit of staining is coffee. You can talk to me about teeth whitening options at the end of treatment. We do recommend waiting to whiten your teeth until after the attachments are removed.

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How often will I need to visit the orthodontist during Invisalign treatment?

Most patients visit us every 8-12 weeks during Invisalign treatment. These appointments allow me to monitor progress and provide your next sets of aligners. This is important since we are checking on the health of the gums and making sure the teeth are tracking. If the teeth are not moving as expected, we will do Refinement scans and revision trays to ensure that teeth are moving efficiently. I have a lot of patients that travel for long periods of time or are away for the summers - it's not a problem with Invisalign and I can mail you new trays. This is a huge benefit for my Foreign Service and Military patients that are not local for months at at time. I make it work with your schedule. 
 

How much does Invisalign cost?

If you have dental insurance with orthodontic benefits, clear aligners or Invisalign® is partially covered under your dental insurance. We work with almost all insurances: Delta Dental, Metlife, Aetna, Cigna, Guardian, Principal, Blue Cross Blue Shield, GEHA, and many more! 

 

We will conduct a complimentary benefits check and will file all insurance paperwork to make things hassle-free for you. We offer in-house 0% interest free payment plans, and we try to accommodate every budget. 

 

Our fees are all-inclusive with retainers, and there are never any surprise charges!