Invisalign® FAQ

Frequently Asked Invisalign Questions in New York, NY

How Long Will I Have To Wear Invisalign®?

While each case is unique, depending on the treatment needed, Invisalign® usually takes approximately one year for adults. For teens, the length of treatment is comparable to that of traditional braces. For the fastest results, you should wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. As you wear each set of aligners, your teeth gently and gradually shift into place. Once you have achieved the beautiful smile you desire, we may recommend retainers to keep your teeth looking good.

What About Special Occasions or Playing Sports?

Since Invisalign® is designed to be removable, it is perfectly fine to take out your aligners for a special night or event. Or if you play a contact sport that requires a mouth guard, you can simply replace your aligners with the mouth guard while you play. If your contact sport does not require a mouth guard, an extra advantage to Invisalign® is that it allows you to continue to wear your aligners without worrying about sharp brackets or wire ends cutting your mouth.

What are Clear aligners made of?

Clear aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.

What do aligners look like?

Aligners are clear and look similar to tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and Invisalign dentist NYC have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth.”

Is this a new way to straighten teeth?

For years, orthodontists and dentists have used removable appliances for limited treatment. Today, with the application of computer technology and custom manufacturing, Invisalign treats a broader range of cases with greater precision.

How old is the company?

Align Technology, Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign, was founded in 1997. Since then, Align has manufactured over 10 million aligners and 250,000 patients have received treatment.

How old is this technology?

In 1945, Dr. H.D. Kesling envisioned that one-day modern technology would enable the use of a series of tooth positioners to produce the kinds of movements required for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Technology has made this vision a reality. Using advanced computer technology, Align crafted Invisalign®, a series of customized clear appliances called “aligners.” Each aligner is worn sequentially by the patient to produce extensive tooth movements in both upper and lower arches..

How many patients are being treated with Invisalign?

Worldwide, almost 250,000 patients have been treated with Invisalign. The number grows with each passing day.

Do doctors need special training in order to use Invisalign?

While Invisalign can be used with virtually any treatment philosophy, specific training is needed. All orthodontists and dentists interested in treating patients with Invisalign must attend training before cases will be accepted from their office. Close to 30,000 orthodontists and dentists worldwide are certified to use Invisalign.

How does Invisalign effectively move teeth?

Like brackets and archwires are to braces, Invisalign aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign not only controls forces but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.

Has the FDA cleared Invisalign?

Yes, the FDA has reviewed our application and in August 1998 determined that Invisalign is exempt from 510(k) pre-market notification.

What is Invisalign Express?

Invisalign Express is an orthodontic treatment designed to correct mild orthodontic problems such as minor crowding and spacing. Since it’s designed for mild problems only, treatment time is generally less than six months.