What You Need to Know Before Getting Invisalign

Before getting Invisalign, it helps to know what the process really asks of you, so the first weeks feel familiar instead of surprising.

Thinking about Invisalign®? Here’s what our patients in Miami Lakes most want to know before they start.

1. It starts with a consultation

We check your teeth and gums, take X-rays, photos and a digital scan, and show you the planned movement. Cavities or gum disease are treated first.

2. Wear time is everything

Aligners need to be worn 20–22 hours a day and changed on the schedule your dentist sets — usually every one to two weeks. Read what happens if you leave them out.

3. Food and drink

• Take aligners out to eat and to drink anything but plain water.
• Brush (or at least rinse) before putting them back in.
• Coffee, tea and red wine can stain aligners and attachments.

4. You may have attachments

Small tooth-colored bumps help aligners grip. See how attachments work.

5. Expect some pressure

The first days of each aligner feel tight. See tips for discomfort.

6. Plan for retainers

Keeping your result means wearing a retainer, usually nightly.

7. Know the full cost

At All Dental Group, your dentist in Miami Lakes since 2009, an Invisalign® case is $4,695 all-inclusive — consultation, X-rays, photos, digital scan, every aligner (including any extra ones), all visits, one set of retainers and a take-home whitening kit — or $3,999 paid in full. See payment options or book a free Invisalign consultation.

Questions to ask before getting Invisalign

• How many aligners is my plan, and how often will I switch?
• Will I need attachments or elastics?
• If my teeth don’t track as planned, are extra aligners included?
• How often will I need checkups?
• Which retainer comes with my case, and what does a replacement cost?

At All Dental Group, extra aligners and one set of retainers are part of the all-inclusive fee, so the price you’re quoted at your consultation doesn’t grow if you need refinements.

Get your mouth ready first

Before getting Invisalign, we make sure your teeth are healthy enough to move. That can mean a cleaning, filling small cavities or treating gum inflammation. Planned crowns or veneers are often best done after straightening, so they fit your new tooth positions.

Your first week with aligners

Expect a slight lisp for a day or two, a snug fit and some soreness at the start of each set. Speech and comfort usually improve quickly as you wear the aligners full-time. In your first week, keep your case with you, carry a travel toothbrush and set reminders to put the aligners back in after meals.

For an independent overview, read the American Association of Orthodontists’ comparison of braces and clear aligners. When you’re ready, schedule your consultation.

Your daily routine with aligners

• Take aligners out to eat; with them in, drink only plain water.
• Brush and floss before putting them back.
• Clean the aligners gently with a soft brush and cool water.
• Store them in the case, never in a napkin.

How long will treatment take?

It depends on your case. Simple cases can take a few months; many full cases take around 12–18 months. Your plan shows the number of aligners before you start, and wearing them 20–22 hours a day is the biggest thing you control.

Will aligners affect my speech or work?

Most people adjust to speaking with aligners within a few days. They’re clear and hard to notice in meetings and photos. If you speak for a living, start a new set on a weekend. Our team speaks English and Spanish, and financing is available.

After your last aligner

When treatment ends, we fit your retainers and show you how to wear and clean them. Most patients move to nightly wear long term. Read do you have to wear a retainer forever after Invisalign? so you know what to expect before you begin.