Invisalign Clear Aligners
Seeking straighter teeth? Consider the Northern Beaches leading Invisalign Treatment Centre
Discover more about Invisalign
There are many reasons to choose Mona Vale Dental and Implant Centre to achieve the smile you've always wanted.
Our most popular Invisalign questions
Most people need to wear their invisible aligners for 6 to 18 months.
During the first appointment: x-rays, photos and scans capture accurate measurements of your teeth and mouth.
A 3D plan is created, so you can preview the final result before starting treatment.
Advanced technology creates clear aligners that are customised overseas and shipped to the clinic.
In cases of overcrowding, particular teeth may need to be prepared to make space for the aligners. This involves the removal of some enamel (painless).
If necessary, specialised attachments are bonded to the front of any teeth that need extra gripping support. These small dots are the same colour as your teeth, so they blend in.
Your dentist gives you a series of aligners and you start wearing the first set for two weeks. After this period, you change to the next set in your possession, which is tighter than the last. Repeat until you finish all of the sets that you’ve been given.
Follow-up appointments every 6 to 8 weeks: progress is checked and you’re given another series of aligners to wear until your next appointment.
Patients wear removable clear aligners for at least 20 hours a day over a period of 6 to 18 months, to straighten their teeth and fix alignment issues. The BPA-free plastic trays gently move teeth into position by applying constant pressure. Every two weeks, the patient replaces their set of aligners with a tighter version that shifts their teeth even more. The patient is given a series of aligners that will see them through the 6 to 8 week period between their appointments.
Average prices range between $3,500 and $8,000, depending on the complexity of your case and how long you need to wear aligners for.
Still got more questions?
We help patients understand every aspect of their care
Invisalign effectively corrects the alignment of teeth for cases that aren’t too complicated. Most people don’t realise the individual is wearing anything on their teeth, which is the main advantage over traditional braces. The aligners can also be removed while eating or playing sports, and this appeals to many people.
A portion of orthodontics is usually covered under extras, but this depends on the policy. We can give you the health insurance item number for the treatment so you can ask your provider if it’s covered by your policy, and how much you will get for it.
You need to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day for the best results. These can be removed for up to 4 hours, while you eat or play sport. Braces may be more suitable for people who aren’t able to stick to this routine.
You can’t eat while wearing Invisalign, and water is the only beverage you can drink. For everything else, you need to remove the plastic trays from your mouth and store them safely until you finish your meal and clean your teeth. If you don’t do this, you risk damaging your aligners, or they could become a choking hazard.
Yes, Invisalign aligners are made out of medical grade polyurethane resin and contain no BPA (bisphenol-A). This treatment has also been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration in the US).
Gently brush the aligners with your toothbrush and rinse with warm water, in the morning and at night. It’s a good idea to rinse your aligners every time you take them out of your mouth, even when you’re on the go, to prevent the build-up of bacteria. Make sure you store them in their designated case, when not in your mouth.
You need to clean your teeth after eating or drinking anything other than water, because trapped particles can stain your aligners and stop your teeth from shifting. It’s a good idea to carry a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you, so you’re always prepared! Floss at least once a day too.
Yes, you need to wear a retainer for the rest of your life, if you don’t want your teeth to shift. This is particularly crucial during the first 12 months after your Invisalign treatment, while your body builds up enough bone to stabilise the teeth. During this period, it’s a good idea to wear the retainers every night. At some point, you may be able to drop down to 3 to 5 times a week – depending on your dentist’s instructions.
Your dentist will talk to you about whether a removable or bonded retainer is best for you. Traditional retainers are made out of a clear material that’s moulded to the shape of your teeth and can be removed. Permanent retainers consist of a metal wire that’s worn 24/7 because it’s bonded to the back of teeth.
Not completely, but it’s difficult for the casual observer to detect and far less noticeable than braces.
Yes, this is possible, but it depends on the positioning of your wisdom teeth and whether or not they have already erupted. We usually recommend that people with impacted wisdom teeth delay their Invisalign treatment until after they’ve had their wisdom teeth removed – in case their wisdom teeth cause further misalignment issues.
Yes, many patients resolve their mild to moderate overcrowding problems with Invisalign. The aligners gradually shift each tooth, which creates more space in the mouth. The amount of time required to get this result depends on the severity of the condition.
Yes, you can get Invisalign before, during or after a root canal and your dentist will carefully monitor the progress. However, if you’re considering getting Invisalign around the same time that you need a root canal, it’s best to complete your root canal treatment first.
