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Straight Teeth, No Braces

Invisalign is the invisible, removable and comfortable way to straighten your teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic, removable 'Aligners' that gently move teeth to the desired positions and let you get on with life!

Invisalign uses cutting-edge three dimensional computer graphics, the internet and patented software to assist in patient treatment. The key benefits of Invisalign are:

  • It is invisible - overcoming the aesthetic concerns many adults and teenagers have with braces.
  • Patients can remove the aligners for a special event or to eat and drink
  • There are no metal wires to cause mouth abrasion or gum and tongue infections
  • Most patients experience only minimal discomfort with aligners compared to braces
  • Patients can view their own virtual treatment plan before commencement, enabling them to see how their teeth can look on completion of treatment.
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There are over 500,000 patients in treatment worldwide with more than 500 new patients starting treatment everyday.

In new independent Australia research by AC Nielsen had revealed that 82% of people believe straight teeth and a nice smile are important for a person's self esteem. Invisalign allows you to smile through the treatment as you improve your smile.

At Dentist on Queen, Dr Daniel Lu is qualified to offer Invisalign with many happy patients successfully completing treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q: Will the treatment be painful?    

A: Most people experience tooth soreness for a few days after starting each new stage. This is normal. It s a sign that the Invisalign aligners are working, moving your teeth to their final destination. This soreness should gradually go away a couple of days after inserting the new aligner in the series. 

Q: Are there restictions on what I can eat? 

A: In general, no. Unlike tradition orthodontics, you can usually eat and drink whatever you desire because you remove your aligners. Thus, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favourite foods and snacks, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Q: Why do some of my aligners have bumps in them?  

A: Some of the movements require "attachments" to help the aligner grip the teeth. These bumps are where the aligner grips the attachment in which the doctor places on your teeth. 

Q: Is it okay to drink hor or cold beverages while wearing Invisalign aligners? 

A: Except for water, we recommend that you do not eat or drink while wearing the aligners. This is to avoid formation of cavities and stains and warping of the aligners with extremely hot drinks.

Q: Can I chew gum while wearing Invisalign aligners? 

A: No, gum will stick to the aligners. We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks.

Q: Will smoking or chewing tobacco strain the aligners?

A: We discourage tobacco use while wearing aligners because of the possibility of aligner discolouration

Q: Will wearing the Invisalign aligners affect my speech?

A: Like all orthodontic treatments, aligners may temporarily affect your speech, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the aligners should disapear.

Q: What if I lose or break an Invisalign aligner?  

A: In the event that an aligner is lost or broken, you should immediately inform your doctor.

Q: What should I do if my new Invisalign aligner doesn't snap onto my teeth?

A: Minor discrepancies between the new aligner and the current tooth position are normal since the teeth need time to conform to the new aligner position. In the event of significant problems with aligner fit, please inform your doctor.

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Use and Care Instructions for your Invisalign Aligners

Here are some tips to help ensure proper use and to avoid damaging your aligners.

Always Remember to:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling your aligners
  2. Handle only ONE aligner at a time

Aligner Insertion

  1. Make sure you have the proper aligner- the upper for the top teeth and the lower for the bottom teeth 
  2. To help avoid confusion each aligner is engraved with your unique case number, a 'U' for upper or an 'L' for lower, follower by the stage number
  3. You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting each aligner, gently push the aligners over your front teeth. Then, apply equal pressure, using your fingertips, to tops of your left and right molars(back teeth) until the aligner snaps into place.
  4. DO NOT BITE your aligners into position. This may damage them.

Note: If you experience sharp pain or significant discomfort, discontinue use of the aligners and contact your doctor.

Aligner Removal

  1. Using your fingers, start on one side at the molar (back teeth) and slowly work your way around to the other side.
  2. To help prevent damage, avoid unnecessary removal.
  3. DO NOT use any sharp object to remove your aligners.
  4. Immediately rinse with water, shake off excess water, and store your aligners in the protective case provided with your starter kit.

Note: Use care in removing your aligners, particularly if multiple attachments are being used. Do not use excessive force to bend or twist an aligner to get it off. Consult with your doctor if  your aligners are difficult to remove.

Daily Care and Maintenance of your Invisalign Aligners

  1. Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use a soft bristle toothbrush using water or a small amout of toothpaste.
  2. Rinse each aligner thoroughly with water after each cleaning.
  3. DO NOT use denture cleaners to clean aligners or soak them in mouthwash.  These products can damage the surface ot the aligner, causing it to become dull and more visible.

Proper Oral Hygiene

  1. Remove your aligners for eating and drinking, except when drinking water (only).
  2. Brush and floss your teeth after each meal or snack prior to re-inserting your aligners. If you have any questions regarding your hygiene techniques please consult your doctor.
  3. Regular dental checkups and cleaning are recommended for the continued health of your teeth and gums.

Storing you Invisalign Aligners

Two aligner cases are included in your starter kit. We recommend that you store your Invisalign aligners in a case when not in your mouth. This will help protect them from loss and damage.

Designate your blue aligner case for your current aligners (the aligners your are currently using).

When it is time to witch up to the next stage, transfer the previous aligners to the red case. Always keep the most recently used aligners in this case. If you current aligner is lost or broken, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily go back on stage and use the aligners in the red case while a replacement is being made.

Note: Keep past aligners in to clean plastic bag or as instructed by your doctor. Keep out of reach of children and pets.