Houston Invisalign Dentist

Invisalign Q & A

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign gently shifts your teeth into proper alignment, similar to how traditional wire braces work. With Invisalign, though, you simply have to wear your clear, nearly invisible aligners to straighten your teeth.

During your initial visit, the team at Alegria Dental Care takes multiple high-definition, 3-D images of your teeth. These images are used to prepare a complete treatment plan, which includes multiple sets of aligners. After we attach small brackets — called SmartForce® attachments — to your rear molars, you can simply snap your aligners into place and start straightening your smile immediately.

Each week or two, you switch to a new set of aligners. With every new set, your teeth are continually moved into proper alignment. Over time, you start noticing a beautiful, visibly straighter smile.

When will I see results with Invisalign?

Most Invisalign wearers start noticing subtle changes in their smiles within the first month or so of wearing aligners. But depending on how crooked your teeth are and whether you have crowding or overbite concerns, it can take 9-15 months — or more — to reach your optimal smile goals.

Can I remove Invisalign aligners?

Yes! This is one of the top reasons men and women choose Invisalign over traditional braces: You can take them out. You still need to wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours per day, though.

While you should certainly remove Invisalign aligners to eat, brush, and floss, it’s important to put them right back in. Otherwise, if you get in the habit of leaving your aligners out for extended periods, your overall treatment plan could take longer than expected.

Do I need to wear a retainer after Invisalign?

Occasionally, yes. After your Invisalign treatment is complete, we design a clear set of retainers that mimics the aligners you wore during treatments. These retainers aren’t designed to shift your teeth, though, but to help prevent future shifting so you can enjoy your beaming smile for years to come.

During your final Invisalign appointment, we'll let you know how often you should plan on wearing your retainers — usually several hours per day or while sleeping. It just depends on your specific treatment plan.

We take the time to explain the care you need and to answer all of your questions. Schedule your Invisalign evaluation at Alegria Dental Care by clicking on the online booking feature, or by calling the clinic.