Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksGetting FittedHow Long It TakesWhy It May Not Work
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Getting Fitted
How Long It Takes
Why It May Not Work
Invisalign is an orthodontic process in which teeth are gradually straightened using a series of custom-fitted, clear aligners. The aligners can be removed for eating and hygiene, and are less noticeable than traditional braces. They are worn for at least 20 to 22 hours daily for best results.
Invisalign treatment typically costs about the same as traditional braces.
Isabel Pavia / Getty Images
How Invisalign Works to Correct Teeth
Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear aligners to move teeth into the desired position gradually. During a consultation, a trained Invisalign specialist will create a digital plan unique to your teeth to map out the necessary movements.
Invisalign aligners are made with medical-grade, high molecular-weight thermoplastic polymers.
Advantages of Invisalign treatment include:
Getting Fitted for Invisalign: Does It Hurt?
Before beginning treatment, you will need a dental exam to check for any dental work that should be done before starting orthodontic procedures. This might include:
If orthodontics are needed, an orthodontist can help you decide the most appropriate treatment to meet your needs. Look for an orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). AAO orthodontists have graduated from dental school and have completed an accredited orthodontic residency program.
The AAO providesa search engine toolto help you find an orthodontist in your area.
If, with the help of your orthodontist, you decide Invisalign is right for you, you will need to see a dental professional trained in prescribing and monitoring Invisalign aligners. Align Technologies, the company behind Invisalign, trains and certifies doctors who wish to prescribe Invisalign aligners to their patients. These doctors may be general dentists or orthodontists. Being an orthodontist is not required for certification.
Invisalign treatment consists of three basic steps.
Step One: Meeting With Your Doctor
Before beginning treatment, your doctor will use an iTero Element scanner to create a detailed, precise three-dimensional (3D) scan of your teeth and map out your custom treatment plan. The doctor will explain what you can expect at each step and give you an idea of what your teeth will look like when treatment is completed.
Step Two: Starting Treatment
When you receive your first set of aligners, your doctor will make sure they fit correctly and as comfortably as possible. Regular checkups will be scheduled to monitor your progress and swap out your used aligners for the next set in the series.
Step Three: Continued Maintenance
As with other teeth-straightening devices and programs, a retainer is needed after Invisalign treatment is complete tokeep your teeth straight. You may be offered a custom-made Vivera retainer, made using the same technology as Invisalign aligners, or your doctor may suggest you wear adifferent brand of retainer.
Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?
This study found that participants using aligners had less discomfort than those using traditional fixed appliances (such as braces). The researchers suggested this may be because the aligners are removable, which gives the tissues intermittent breaks from the forces and allows the tissue to reorganize before reapplying the compressive forces.
How Well Does Invialign Work?Invisalign aligners are typically less suited to complex orthodontic needs than traditional dental braces but may be used for less complicated treatment. Invisalign aligners are intended for adults and teenagers whosepermanent teeth are fully erupted. Traditional orthodontic treatments may be more appropriate for children.Research suggests that the Invisalign system is a valid alternative to conventional orthodontic treatment for mild to moderate teeth misalignment in people who have finished growing and do not requireextraction.Aligners may be used totreat conditionssuch as:Cramped/crowded teethCrooked teethCrossbiteMild relapse after bracesOpen biteOverbiteSimple bite irregularitiesUnderbiteWidely spaced/gapped teeth
How Well Does Invialign Work?
Invisalign aligners are typically less suited to complex orthodontic needs than traditional dental braces but may be used for less complicated treatment. Invisalign aligners are intended for adults and teenagers whosepermanent teeth are fully erupted. Traditional orthodontic treatments may be more appropriate for children.Research suggests that the Invisalign system is a valid alternative to conventional orthodontic treatment for mild to moderate teeth misalignment in people who have finished growing and do not requireextraction.Aligners may be used totreat conditionssuch as:Cramped/crowded teethCrooked teethCrossbiteMild relapse after bracesOpen biteOverbiteSimple bite irregularitiesUnderbiteWidely spaced/gapped teeth
Invisalign aligners are typically less suited to complex orthodontic needs than traditional dental braces but may be used for less complicated treatment. Invisalign aligners are intended for adults and teenagers whosepermanent teeth are fully erupted. Traditional orthodontic treatments may be more appropriate for children.
Research suggests that the Invisalign system is a valid alternative to conventional orthodontic treatment for mild to moderate teeth misalignment in people who have finished growing and do not requireextraction.
Aligners may be used totreat conditionssuch as:
How Long Invisalign Takes to Work
Invisalign aligners are typically received one or two at a time at appointments spaced four to six weeks apart. Usually, 20 or 30 aligner variations are needed, though treatment duration can vary.
Depending on the complexity of your condition, Invisalign treatment may be faster thantraditional bracesbecause of the efficiency and precision with which they move teeth.
You may start seeing results as soon as six months after beginning treatment.
For some people, treatment may be finished within a year.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Typically, Invisalign treatment is comparable in cost to traditional braces, ranging from about $3,000 to about $9,000.
Financing may also be available through your dental office or third-party financing companies such as Capital One or CareCredit.
What Makes Invisalign Not Work Properly?
Factors that may affect the appropriateness or effectiveness of Invisalign aligners include:
Considerations to take while undergoing Invisalign therapy include:
Summary
Invisalign aligners are a series of clear, removable, custom-fitted aligners that gradually move teeth into thedesired position.
Factors such as noncompliance with the treatment plan or certaindental workmay affect how well the treatment works.
Talk to your Invisalign-trained doctor about the specifics of your treatment plan.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Invisalign.FAQ.American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligner therapy: the discreet way to straighten teeth.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Invisalign – how it works & what it costs?Invisalign.Transforming your smile is as easy as 1, 2, 3.White DW, Julien KC, Jacob H, Campbell PM, Buschang PH.Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial. The Angle Orthodontist. 2017;87(6):801-808. doi:10.2319/091416-687.1Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Braces vs Invisalign.Caruso S, De Felice ME, Valenti C, et al.An evaluation of the Invisalign® Aligner Technique and consideration of the force system: a systematic review. Syst Rev. 2024;13(1):43. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02437-5American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligners.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Invisalign.FAQ.American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligner therapy: the discreet way to straighten teeth.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Invisalign – how it works & what it costs?Invisalign.Transforming your smile is as easy as 1, 2, 3.White DW, Julien KC, Jacob H, Campbell PM, Buschang PH.Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial. The Angle Orthodontist. 2017;87(6):801-808. doi:10.2319/091416-687.1Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Braces vs Invisalign.Caruso S, De Felice ME, Valenti C, et al.An evaluation of the Invisalign® Aligner Technique and consideration of the force system: a systematic review. Syst Rev. 2024;13(1):43. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02437-5American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligners.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Invisalign.FAQ.American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligner therapy: the discreet way to straighten teeth.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Invisalign – how it works & what it costs?Invisalign.Transforming your smile is as easy as 1, 2, 3.White DW, Julien KC, Jacob H, Campbell PM, Buschang PH.Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial. The Angle Orthodontist. 2017;87(6):801-808. doi:10.2319/091416-687.1Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Braces vs Invisalign.Caruso S, De Felice ME, Valenti C, et al.An evaluation of the Invisalign® Aligner Technique and consideration of the force system: a systematic review. Syst Rev. 2024;13(1):43. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02437-5American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligners.
Invisalign.FAQ.
American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligner therapy: the discreet way to straighten teeth.
Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Invisalign – how it works & what it costs?
Invisalign.Transforming your smile is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
White DW, Julien KC, Jacob H, Campbell PM, Buschang PH.Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial. The Angle Orthodontist. 2017;87(6):801-808. doi:10.2319/091416-687.1
Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Braces vs Invisalign.
Caruso S, De Felice ME, Valenti C, et al.An evaluation of the Invisalign® Aligner Technique and consideration of the force system: a systematic review. Syst Rev. 2024;13(1):43. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02437-5
American Association of Orthodontists.Clear aligners.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
