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Invisalign and Clear Aligners in Kitchener

What is Invisalign or Clear Aligners
They are custom made transparent trays that apply small amounts of pressure to slowly move teeth. When compared with traditional metal bracket and wire braces, aligners offer some clear benefits:
  • More comfort.
  • More discreet.
  • Removable and facilitate proper oral hygiene.
  • No restrictions on diet.
  • Quicker and fewer dental appointments.
How does it work?
  • Aligners work by applying localized pressure to the targeted teeth over time, thereby pushing them into an aligned position. The gingiva and bone around the teeth remodel to support the new position of the teeth.
  • These trays are worn for periods of one to two weeks and switched out as the teeth are moved into a new position. It is important to wear the tray for the prescribed time as each tray moves the teeth in preparation for the next tray. The total time can be months to years depending on the case.
  • Results are highly dependent on the proper use and proper wear time of the aligner. It is ideal to wear the tray 22-23 hours per day, 7 days a week. The forces of aligner rapidly decay once in the mouth (because the thermoplastic polymers are not inert in the oral environment).
  • In certain teeth, such as lateral incisors or rotated teeth, there is insufficient surface space for the aligner to push against. Or teeth where more engagement is necessary, such as on molars, an attachment will be placed on the surface of the teeth so the aligner can impart additional forces onto.
  • In addition to attachments, elastics and temporary anchorage devices are also used to help facilitate tooth movement or tooth retention.
  • Aligners have a more cosmetic appearance compared to traditional band and bracket braces. Aligner trays can be removed and facilitate easier access to brushing and flossing your teeth, thereby making it easier to manage proper oral hygiene.
Are traditional braces obsolete?
Not at all, there are many things that only traditional braces can do, or they are more effective at compared to clear aligners such as:
  • Applying more pressure and better in complex cases.
  • Severe crowding, severe spacing, and rotated teeth.
  • Open bite, deep bite, cross bite, and misaligned occlusions.
  • Not dependent on the patient’s compliance.
  • Active 24/7.
  • More precise tooth movements.
Should I choose Braces or Invisalign?
There are factors that will help you decide which modality is better. A consultation with your dentist will give you all the information you require to make an informed decision, such as:
  • Complexity of your case.
  • Younger children and teenagers will generally not wear the clear aligner trays for the necessary 22+ hours per day that is require. Or they will lose the trays which may significantly slow down treatment.
  • If you are concerned regarding the appearance and having metal showing in your mouth.
Want to find out if Invisalign or Clear Aligners are suitable for you?
Contact us today for a free consultation to see what we can do for you. During your appointment we will:
  • Take intra oral photos of your teeth.
  • Take extra oral photos of your facial profile.
  • Take a scan of your teeth.
Then we will design a treatment plan to show how your teeth will move and show you what can be achieved with clear aligners.

Frequently Asked Questions

They work by applying localized, gentle pressure to targeted teeth using custom-made transparent trays. You will switch to a new set of trays every one to two weeks to continuously shift your teeth into alignment.
For the most effective results, it is ideal to wear your aligner trays for 22 to 23 hours per day. You should only remove them when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing.
No, there are no food restrictions because the aligners are completely removable when you eat. This makes it much easier to maintain your normal diet and properly brush and floss your teeth afterward.
Our team will take intraoral and extraoral photos, along with a digital scan of your teeth. We then use this data to design a custom treatment plan that maps out and visualizes your exact tooth movements.
While aligners are great for many cases, traditional braces are still more effective for severe crowding, rotation, or complex bite misalignments. A consultation with our dentists will help determine which option applies enough precise pressure for your specific needs.