What is Invisalign treatment?

Invisalign treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, there are no brackets and wires, nor are there the same restrictions that usually come with fixed metal braces.

What are Invisalign aligners made of and what do they look like?

Invisalign clear aligners are made of flexible plastic — specifically, a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack® created exclusively for Invisalign treatment. They are FDA-approved and contain no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten. They are thin, clear, and fit snugly over your teeth, making them virtually invisible.

How does the straightening process work?

I’ll create a unique, digital treatment plan that maps out the exact movements of your teeth. Your Invisalign clear aligners are then designed to apply the right amount of force to the right place at the right time based on your plan. We’ll check in every 8 weeks or so to monitor your progress and ensure your aligners are fitting as they should be.

How long does it take to straighten teeth using Invisalign aligners?

The length of your treatment plan depends on your requirements and will be discussed in your consultation. The average treatment is around 10-12 months, but could be anywhere from three months to two years. As your treatment progresses, you’ll need to replace your aligners every couple of weeks, and every 8 weeks we’ll catch up to review how your teeth are moving.

Who is Invisalign for?

Invisalign treatment can be a great solution for both adults and teens, and can be used to fix nearly all common teeth-straightening and bite issues.

What should I expect during my first consultation?

Your first consultation with me is free. Make a time to come in and see me at either the central Auckland Lumino clinic. There’s no need to bring anything with you. We’ll chat through whether Invisalign will be the right choice for you, your treatment options, limitations, the process and the costs involved. This is also your chance to ask any questions you may have.

How often will I change aligners?

I’ll tell you how often you should change to new aligners (this can vary based on your individual treatment plan). For the majority of patients, you’ll change your Invisalign clear aligners weekly or every other week.

How many hours per day do I need to wear my aligners?

Your Invisalign aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. You can remove them for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.

How much does Invisalign treatment cost?

I offer two price options - Invisalign Lite which is $4995 and Invisalign Full which is $7995. Payment plans are available, including 24 months interest free terms with Q Card.

Since having my braces removed, my teeth have shifted. Can Invisalign treatment fix this?

Yes, they can. I see many patients who have had braces previously who now choose Invisalign treatment as the discreet solution to improve their smile when they find that their teeth have shifted back.

I have veneers or crowns, will Invisalign work for me?

I’ll need to evaluate this on a case-by-case basis. Get in touch and we can discuss your individual requirements.

How do I get started?

Find out what’s involved, and whether Invisalign is the right choice for you with a FREE no-obligation consultation. Get in touch with us to book.

Tiana's Case Study

Tiana came to see me to talk about tidying up her smile. Tiana was the perfect candidate for Invisalign lite as it was just going to be a case of tidying some minor crowding that had developed over time – the upper canines were rotated out a little too much, the side teeth needed to be uprighted a little to improve the smile and there was some upper and lower crowding to take care of.

In addition, when working on Tiana’s Clincheck it became immediately obvious that one of the front teeth had experienced a lot of wear and so we planned to do a little bonding at the end of treatment to tidy this up as well. There are a number of reasons that this can happen, but in Tiana’s case I felt it was because she had a “deepbite” where the lower teeth sit too high against the backs of the upper teeth. To help reduce further wear and tear I also moved the lower teeth down and back a little to help achieve a more balanced bite.

Tiana's Results

In all it took about 9 months to get everything looking good – including whitening and bonding to take care of the worn front teeth. Since seeing Tiana I have also treated her husband and her mum!