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.

How to clean your aligners

Invisalign is a modern-day blessing. Before the days of clear tooth aligners, many of us had middle-school nightmares of banded braces and all the associated complications — food stuck in brackets, yellowing teeth and a metallic smile.

Believe it or not, Invisalign comes with similar issues, minus the “brace face.” Invisalign trays require daily cleanings for health and hygiene. Not sure about the right ways to keep your Invisalign and your smile clean?

Here, I’ll cover how to clean Invisalign trays, as well as the proper preventive measures to make cleaning your Invisalign a breeze.

Do you need to clean your Aligners?

Yes, absolutely. Think of your Invisalign tray like your smile’s partner in crime. You wouldn’t go weeks, or even days, without cleaning your teeth — so why wouldn’t you clean your Invisalign aligners?

Your mouth is home to millions of bacterial families. Plaque and biofilm are particularly harmful to your oral health and Invisalign aligners, causing unsightly effects if left unaddressed.

Without proper oral hygiene, plaque buildup breaks down your tooth enamel, causing:

Cavities.
Tooth decay.
Gingivitis.
Teeth discoloration.
Bad breath.

Your Invisalign aligners live in the same bacterial environment. And, when they’re in your mouth, they create a mini-environment for plaque bacteria to thrive, increasing your teeth’s exposure to these harmful effects.

Methods for cleaning aligners......

1. Dedicated aligner or retainer cleaner

Both Whitefoam and Retaner Brite are both excellent products that have been created to help clean aligners.

With Retainer Brite a tablet is dissolved in warm water and the aligners are left in the solution for 20-30minutes. Over that time the plaque and bacteria that has accumulated on the surface of the aligner.

Whitefoam, from Eversmile, is used slightly differently in that a foam is sprayed on to the aligner. While the foam can be left for a few minutes before rinsing, it is also doubles a gentle whitener so they can be popped straight back in the both without rinsing. Absolutely fantastic to use after having a coffee (speaking from experience!).

After requests from patients I have imported these products from the U.S and they can be ordered here: https://www.britealigners.com/

2. White Vinegar

You may already have white vinegar in your pantry. If not, it’s inexpensive. When cleaning your Invisalign aligners with this method, follow these instructions:
Add one part white vinegar to three parts of warm water to your cleaning glass.
Dunk your aligners into the mixture.
Let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
Grab your soaked Invisalign aligners and rinse them thoroughly with clean water.
White vinegar is acidic, so it works well at penetrating the bacteria and other particles on your Invisalign trays.

3. Denture Cleaning tablets (eg Sterident)

Though they’re not dentures, Invisalign aligners experience the same bacteria buildup dentures do. It’s always best to go with the other cleaning methods mentioned before using denture cleaning tablets. Additionally, some tablets have layered formulas, with one of the layers being coloured. While it doesn’t affect dentures, there is a chance your aligners can become discoulored over time with use.

I find these sorts of tablets can work OK with aligners after a week or so. I would strongly recommend not using them with retainers as I often find it destroys the plastic if used frequently.

4. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another natural Invisalign aligner cleaner you can find at your local grocery or convenience store. Clean your Invisalign trays with hydrogen peroxide by:
Filling your cleaning glass with one part hydrogen peroxide and equal part warm water.
Putting your Invisalign trays in the mixture.
Letting them soak for about 30 minutes.
Taking your Invisalign aligners out of the mixture and rinsing them with cold water.
Hydrogen peroxide is antimicrobial and antibacterial, making it one of the best methods to clean your Invisalign aligners because of its stain-fighting power.

5. Soap & Water

Sometimes the old ways work best – and a little soap and water can often do the trick! When wearing aligners I used to use a soft bristled toothbrush and some hand soap twice a day and Whitefoam when out-and-about and I found that my aligners were always lookng (and smelling) great even after a week or two of continuous use.

How not to clean your aligners....

Toothpaste: Though toothpaste is effective at cleaning teeth, it can leave a sticky film on your Invisalign and cause it to discolor over time. Toothpaste can give your aligner a funny taste, too. Most importantly, toothpastes are abrasive, which means they can cause microscopic scratches in your aligners. These scratches will collect plaque and other stains, and make your Invisalign hard to clean.

Mouthwash: Mouthwash isn’t powerful enough to penetrate food particles or remove bacteria from your Invisalign, and it also causes discoloration, especially red-toned mouthwashes.

Using boiling or hot water: Water that’s too hot can deteriorate the integrity of your Invisalign aligners, causing them to deform and impact the way the trays shape your smile.

In the dishwasher: Dishwasher has scalding water that can distort your trays, similar to the effects of boiling water. Plus, harsh cleaning agents like dish soap strip away food particles from plates, not your Invisalign.

If someone tells you to clean your aligners using these methods, run far, far away.