INTRODUCTION
Convenience, Comfort, Flexibility
Invisalign is a modern approach to straightening teeth using a custom-made series of clear aligners created for you. The aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic that fits over your teeth. Wearing them gradually shifts your teeth into place based on the exact movements your dentist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just switch to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks until your treatment is complete. Because the aligners are removable, you can enjoy your normal diet, brush and floss like usual, and go about your daily life with minimal interference.
FEATURES
How Invisalign Treatment Works
Invisalign is a modern approach to straightening teeth using a custom-made series of clear aligners created for you. The aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable, and virtually invisible plastic that fits over your teeth. Wearing them gradually shifts your teeth into place based on the exact movements your dentist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You just switch to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks until your treatment is complete. Because the aligners are removable, you can enjoy your normal diet, brush and floss like usual, and go about your daily life with minimal interference.
Your Treatment Journey
3D Scan and Custom Trays
1
Your dentist takes a 3D scan of your mouth using our intraoral scanner, so there's no need for goopy putty impressions. This scan is used to create a custom series of aligner trays, each designed for a specific stage of your treatment plan.
Wear and Switch
2
You wear your aligners approximately 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. Every two weeks or so, you switch to the next set of aligners in the series.
Track Progress
3
You'll visit our Beaches practice every few weeks so we can check that your treatment is progressing as expected. Unlike traditional braces, there are no wires to tighten, so these visits are quick and straightforward.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your Personalized Assessment
Every Invisalign treatment starts with a personalized assessment at our Beaches neighbourhood practice. During this visit, we take a full look at your teeth, jaw, and bite, and talk through what you'd like to achieve. If Invisalign is a good fit for you, we walk you through what treatment would look like, how long it would take, and what to expect at each stage. We use 3D imaging to give you a preview of your future smile so you can see the expected results ahead of time. If we think traditional braces would give you better results for your specific situation, we'll tell you that too.
Book Your Appointment
We'll get back to you within one business day.
WHEN TO CONSIDER
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign works well for a wide range of alignment concerns, from mild spacing issues to more significant crowding. During your consultation, we'll assess your specific situation and let you know whether Invisalign is a fit, or if traditional braces would give you better results.
Common alignment concerns Invisalign can address
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crowded teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Crooked or rotated teeth
• Other mild to moderate alignment concerns
If any of these apply to you, book an assessment at Balsam Dental in The Beaches. We'll help you understand your options and put together a plan that fits.
BENEFITS
Timeline, comfort, and common questions.
What if I lose or damage an aligner?
Call us as soon as possible. Depending on where you are in your treatment plan, we may have you go back to your previous tray or move ahead to the next one to keep you on track. Try to store your aligners in their case whenever they're not in your mouth. The most common place people lose them is wrapped in a napkin at a restaurant.
How long does treatment take?
Most patients complete treatment in 12 to 18 months, though this varies based on the complexity of your case. Consistent wear is critical to staying on schedule. Missing hours in your aligners consistently means your teeth won't move as planned by the time you switch to the next tray, and your overall treatment gets extended.
Are aligners painful?
Aligners aren't typically painful, but you'll feel pressure or mild soreness for the first day or two after switching to a new set as your teeth adjust. This discomfort is much milder than what patients typically experience with traditional braces adjustments.
Can I eat normally with aligners?
Yes. One of the main advantages of clear aligners is that you remove them to eat and drink anything other than water. There are no food restrictions. Just be sure to brush your teeth and rinse the aligners before putting them back in.
What happens if I don't wear my aligners for the required 22 hours a day?
Your treatment slows down or stops progressing. Aligners only work when they're in your mouth — the plastic applies constant gentle pressure to shift your teeth. Missing hours consistently means your teeth won't have moved enough by the time you're due to switch to the next tray, and your treatment plan gets extended. Consistency matters more than anything else with Invisalign.
Can I drink coffee or wine while wearing my aligners?
Water is the only thing you should drink with aligners in. Coffee, tea, wine, juice, and even sparkling water can stain the aligners or cause decay if the liquid gets trapped against your teeth. Take the aligners out to drink anything other than water, then brush before putting them back in.
Do I have to wear a retainer forever after Invisalign?
Effectively, yes. Teeth naturally want to shift back to their original positions over time, and retainer wear is what prevents that. Most patients wear a retainer full-time for a few months after treatment, then transition to nights only. Skipping retainer wear is the number one reason patients see their teeth move again years later.
What if I lose an aligner mid-treatment?
Call us as soon as possible. Depending on how far into that particular aligner you are, we might tell you to go back to the previous tray or move forward to the next one — whichever keeps your treatment on track. Try not to lose them: always store them in their case, never in a napkin at a restaurant.
