Clear Aligners Information

• Do clear aligners and Invisalign really work?

They actually do. In both clinical research and in orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, clear aligners have been proven effective at straightening teeth. The key is to make sure that you wear your clear aligners for at least 20 hours a day and only take them out when you’re eating, drinking, or brushing and flossing your teeth. If you don’t wear your aligners as recommended, your treatment will take a lot longer.

• Does insurance cover clearn aligners and Invisalign?

The truth is medical benefits differ significantly from policy to policy. We recommend that each patient review their coverage to make sure. However, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, clear aligners like Invisalign® should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces.

• What are aligners made of?

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

• What do aligners look like?

Clear aligners are nearly invisible and look like clear tooth-whitening trays but are custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth.”

• How do clear aligners like Invisalign effectively move teeth?

Like brackets and archwires, clear aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that clear aligners not only control forces, but also control the timing of the force applied on your teeth. 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.

What is the minimum age of a patient that a doctor can treat with clear aligners?