‘How Does Invisalign Work?’ And The 5 Questions About Invisalign Treatment We Get Asked the Most

Does Invisalign Work? Title with 3 Ladies Smiling
Wait to see how Invisalign aligners get you your best smile & work 2x faster with one pro tip.

If you are considering Invisalign treatment to get straight teeth and your best smile, you’ve probably got some questions. Maybe most of all: Does Invisalign work for me?

You deserve clear answers and we want to help. In this post, we’ll save you time by sharing the five big questions we get asked all the time about Invisalign treatment and if it can help you achieve straight teeth.

We’ll share the facts about Invisalign aligners and how they compare to traditional braces and other typical orthodontic treatment methods. You’ll walk away with clear answers about how Invisalign works, what types of corrective treatment it can handle, and how long it takes to get a straighter smile.

By the end, you’ll have confidence and a clear understanding of whether Invisalign clear aligners are your best choice. (Make sure not to miss the secret of getting straight teeth 2x faster for a similar Invisalign cost as a normal treatment process.)

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What Type of Cases Does Invisalign Work For vs. Traditional Braces?

For many people that ask us “Does Invisalign work for me?“, what they’re wanting to know is if Invisalign is the ideal solution for their specific orthodontic issues.

This one is easy.

Invisalign aligners and Align technology have become so good over the years that now Invisalign can straighten teeth just as well if not better than metal braces or ceramic braces.

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Historically, clear aligners were known to only be an option for mild to moderate cases. And while that is still true today of some clear aligners, that’s a total myth when it comes to Invisalign.

Today, Invisalign clear aligners can handle any level of complexity of misaligned teeth that traditional metal braces treat. In fact, we’d even say that Invisalign is able to correct bite issues beyond what traditional braces can do.

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Give It to Me Straight. How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign straightens teeth using the same general approach as traditional braces and other treatment methods.

Invisalign works by putting light pressure on crowded or gapped teeth, moving them into their ideal positions for your best smile, and straightening teeth with clear aligners that are virtually invisible even at normal conversational distances.

Initial Consultation and Invisalign Process

The Invisalign dentist or orthodontist assesses your smile and develops your digital dental strategy. They may also be taking X-ray pictures of your jaw and dental tissue for the scan.

An experienced orthodontist or dentist will be able to:

  1. examine your teeth,
  2. provide you with a personalized treatment plan, and
  3. walk you through the entire Invisalign process including an accurate estimate of your specific treatment period

…all in your very first consultation. (At Radiant Smiles, we make these consultations completely free to you.)

How Long You Wear Each Set of Aligners

When you ask “How does Invisalign work?” at a typical dental clinic or orthodontist, they’ll likely tell you that you’ll wear every set of Invisalign trays for about a week or two each (7-14 days). 

A typical treatment plan could include up to 40 clear aligner trays, or even more.

Unfortunately, most people assume this is simply how Invisalign works and settle for switching their aligner trays every few weeks. 

But the truth is that it’s actually possible for Invisalign wearers to switch each set of aligners much faster.

At Radiant Smiles, our patients can switch a set of aligners even as fast as every 4 days – without any additional pain (actually, they often feel less!).

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Get More Progress with Faster Invisalign Aligner Changes

How much time does switching aligners every 4 days instead of every 7-14 days save you? A lot!

Switching every 4 days, you’ll start to see noticeable progress after just a few weeks when you listen to your dentist’s or orthodontist’s instructions and follow guidelines.

At Radiant Smiles, we have studies that prove up to 80% of your total Invisalign progress can be reached in just 4 months from when you to start to wear aligners.

Faster Invisalign Aligner Changes Chart Showing 80% Smile Improvement After 4 Months at Dr. Peter Brawn

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How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Like with traditional metal braces, any quality Invisalign dentist or orthodontist will tell you how long Invisalign treatment takes depends heavily on the complexity of your case.

That said, there is a second factor that makes a huge difference for Invisalign wearers when it comes to their treatment time: who you choose for Invisalign treatment.

Choose Better Invisalign Aligners

Here’s what’s possible with Invisalign clear aligners when you choose the right expert for your treatment:

  • Finish treatment 2x faster than average Invisalign patients in Vancouver.
  • Enjoy up to 75% less discomfort than typical orthodontics.
  • Save time with half the appointments you’d be required to attend elsewhere.

How do we know it’s possible? It’s what patients at Radiant Smiles regularly enjoy. The chart below shows average clear aligner treatment times in published studies vs. the average treatment time for patients at Radiant Smiles.

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Average Treatment Time Graph for Braces vs. Clear Aligners vs. Invisalign Aligners at Dr. Peter Brawn
Accelerated Invisalign means that you spend more time owning your best smile and less time getting it.

At Radiant Smiles, our entire practice is dedicated to accelerated Invisalign aligners. Patients like you all over Vancouver enjoy the benefits of better and faster orthodontic treatment vs. traditional braces.

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How Much Does Invisalign Hurt vs. Metal Braces?

In general, teeth straightening with Invisalign hurts less than metal braces because each set of aligners moves your teeth in smaller and more precise increments than traditional metal braces – and ceramic braces, too.

However, there can be some mild to moderate discomfort early in treatment as there is still some pressure put on your gapped or crowded teeth.

At most Invisalign orthodontists and dentists, doctors simply start you on Invisalign and provide tips for treating discomfort. At Radiant Smiles, we help you actually prevent discomfort.

Invisalign with up to 75% less discomfort graphic with 3 ladies having dessert

As a part of your new smile treatment, we give you a small device to use at home during treatment that will help your teeth to move much faster and reduce the normal discomfort you’d feel. The clinically proven device, called Orthopulse, uses gentle light therapy to reduce discomfort on your teeth during wear time and as you switch to new aligners.

It’s proven to reduce your teeth discomfort by up to 75% during Invisalign treatment.

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How Much Does Invisalign Cost vs. Other Orthodontic Treatment?

Sometimes, all you need is the short answer. If that’s you, here’s a quick summary of the cost of Invisalign in Vancouver. (For more, check out our complete Invisalign Cost guide.)

In Canada, Invisalign usually costs between $6,000 – $10,000 today. Minor tooth correction may be available for less than $6,000, but it is very limited and only available for really minor dental conditions.

The general range for braces cost in Canada is $6,000 – $10,000. So today, there is nearly no material cost difference between Invisalign aligners and braces.

It gets better.

Most Invisalign patients at Radiant Smiles pay between $5,975 – $8,975. And you also finish about 2x faster than average treatment times* at other dentists & orthodontists with less discomfort and fewer appointments that eat up your valuable time. All at a competitive cost to ‘typical Invisalign treatment’ other places in Vancouver.

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Ways to Save on Invisalign

Invisalign costs can typically be included in your dental insurance. Most dental plan coverage includes Invisalign the same way it covers braces. There may also be other methods for making Invisalign treatment cheaper — from tax deductions to flexible monthly payments.

At Radiant Smiles, we’ll help you with flexible payment plans, tax deductions, and maximize the affordability of Invisalign for you. We’ll even work directly with your insurance company on your behalf.

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*= on average

Does Invisalign Work – Conclusion

How does Invisalign work for you? Here’s a short summary:

  • Invisalign aligners can treat any case that braces can, and can even treat dental issues beyond that.
  • Invisalign works similar to braces, but they’re virtually invisible, removable, and put less intense forces on your teeth and mouth.
  • They move teeth gradually using sets of aligners – typical treatment may use as many as 40 sets to get you to a great smile.
  • An orthodontist or dentist will probably tell you Invisalign recommends you wear each set of aligners for 7-14 days, but at Radiant Smiles you can change to new aligners as fast as every 4 days.
  • Invisalign treatment at most places in Vancouver takes about 18 months for average patients – but your case can vary depending on complex issues.
  • At Radiant Smiles, most people finish treatment 50% faster than it would take them at another orthodontist or dentist.
  • Invisalign can be a little uncomfortable, particularly at your first fitting, but even the initial set is less painful than braces.
  • At Radiant Smiles, you can enjoy up to 75% less discomfort at no extra cost for your treatment.
  • Speaking of cost – today, Invisalign aligners cost is essentially the same as braces. A typical range in Vancouver is between $6,000 – $10,000.
  • At Radiant Smiles, most people pay between $5,975 – $8,975 for treatment to own their best smile.

Now you know the answers to the 5 most common questions about Invisalign aligners and exactly what’s possible for your treatment in Vancouver.

  • Finish treatment 2x faster than average Invisalign patients in Vancouver.
  • Enjoy up to 75% less discomfort than typical orthodontics.
  • Save time with half the appointments you’d be required to attend elsewhere.

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