Invisalign in Atlanta | Atlanta Dental Spa

Q: Am I a candidate for Invisalign?

Most older teens and adults are great candidates, depending on what needs to be corrected and case complexity. Invisalign can address crowding, gaps, misaligned or deep bites, gummy smiles, protrusion, and more. Some complex cases may require advanced orthodontics.

Q: What do I need to know prior to Invisalign treatment?

Remember the 6 A’s: Aligners (wear 22 hours/day), Attachments (to help teeth move), Adjustment (minor enamel reduction if needed), Additional Aligners (refinements may be included), After (wear retainers as directed), and Along The Way (keep up with hygiene visits).

Q: What do I need to do after Invisalign treatment? Do I have to wear retainers forever?

Retainers are essential. Typically wear 22 hours/day for 3–6 months, then nights for about 6 months. After 12 months, many patients wear retainers 3–5 nights per week long-term to counter natural, gradual shifting. We offer Vivera retainers and can prepare extras for convenience.

Q: How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Mild to moderate cases can take ~4 months to about a year, assuming good compliance and no refinements. Refinements may be needed if teeth aren’t tracking, which can extend treatment. Wearing aligners 22 hours/day, great hygiene, and keeping check-ins reduce delays.

Q: Does Invisalign hurt?

Mild soreness is common for a few days with your first tray and briefly with each new tray—an indication that teeth are moving. Discomfort typically lessens as you progress.

Q: Does Invisalign affect your speech?

You may notice a slight lisp for a few days while your tongue adjusts. Most people adapt within a week; practicing speaking out loud can help.

Q: Is Invisalign as effective as braces?

For most cases, yes—provided aligners are worn 22 hours/day and maintained properly. Some complex movements are better suited to braces. We’ll recommend the right option for your needs.

Q: How do I clean my Invisalign aligners?

Rinse with cold water when inserting and removing. Each night, gently brush with a soft toothbrush (dedicated to aligners), cold water, and clear unscented dish soap. Avoid hot water, toothpaste, alcohol-based products, and hydrogen peroxide. Store dry in a case when not worn.

Q: Can I eat and drink while wearing Invisalign aligners?

Remove aligners when eating or drinking anything but water. Sugary, acidic, or pigmented drinks under aligners can stain teeth and increase cavity risk. Rinse your mouth and aligners with water before reinserting.

Q: What happens if I lose an Invisalign aligner?

Keep your previous set as backup. If you lose the current tray, wear the previous one and contact us promptly. We may order a replacement or advise moving to the next tray only if your teeth are ready.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Am I a candidate for Invisalign?

Almost everyone is a great candidate for Invisalign, it simply depends on what you want to fix and how complicated your case is. Invisalign is not always the best option for the most complicated cases. Sometimes more advanced orthodontic procedures are required for issues like large overbites, or in cases where the jaws need to be shifted. Invisalign can treat the following type of cases:

Correcting crowded and crooked teeth
Closing gaps and spaces
Adjusting misaligned and deep bites
Helping to reduce gummy smiles
Fixing protruding teeth
Many more smile defects!

How old are you?
‍Invisalign is perfect for older teenagers and adults. This patient base especially enjoys Invisalign because of it transparency. The teenage years come with enough discomfort to have to worry about braces. The desire for a more transparent option is obvious. Children and younger teenagers do not always make good candidates for Invisalign because their teeth are still growing.

‍How dedicated are you to fixing your smile?
‍Invisalign is easy and a major benefit is you can remove your trays for eating and brushing. Otherwise, your trays must remain in your mouth for no less than 22 hours per day. Patients are instructed to wear a retainer shortly after removing their braces. However, it’s not uncommon for patients to neglect their post-treatment obligations. Therefore, their teeth begin to shift to the position they were in before treatment. Invisalign is the same way. If you are not dedicated to your treatment, you won’t get the results you want.

What do I need to know prior to Invisalign treatment?

Invisalign: The 6 A’s:
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‍Aligners – For invisalign to work properly, you must wear your aligners 22 hours a day and not go more than one hour at a time without wearing the aligner.
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‍Attachments – These are small, tooth colored shapes that are attached to the teeth. They help the aligners to grab and position the tooth.
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‍Adjustment – If the teeth are very crowded, it may be necessary to reduce a small amount of tooth structure (tenths of a millimeter) between the teeth to create more room and speed up movement.
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‍Additional Aligners – After your first full set of aligners, if your teeth are not exactly where we want them, it may be necessary to add additional aligners, called over-correction aligners. This is included in your case fee.
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‍After – Retainers are needed after you complete your treatment. We recommend that our patients wear their retainers 22 hours a day for the first 3-6 months, and then every night thereafter.
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‍Along The Way – Continue your recommended hygiene schedule in order to ensure the best tooth movement and protect the gum and bone during treatment.

What do I need to do AFTER Invisalign treatment? Do I have to wear retainers forever?

Retainers are very important, whether you’ve used traditional metal braces or Invisalign. At first you will be required to wear your retainers 22 hours per day. This recommendation is based on many factors, including the severity of your initial problem, your age, and whether we are using the retainers to finalize a few tooth positions. The majority of our patients are on this schedule for 3-6 months. If the plan is followed then they can be reduced to wearing only at nighttime for 6 months. Nighttime only is highly recommended until 12 months of daily retainer wear has been accomplished.

After 12 months of continuous retainer wear, we often recommend that you continue to wear your retainers at night 3-5 times a week for life. The reason we recommend this cycle of wear is due to the slow shifting of teeth forward and inward as we get older. This movement occurs very slowly and in general takes decades to occur. However, it can be prevented through continued and consistent wear of retainers. We recommend that you replace your retainer every year to keep your smile looking the same way it looked the day you completed Invisalign. We can create enough retainers in advance so that you never have to worry about losing them, breaking them, or wearing them out, and it also saves money! We offer Vivera retainers from Invisalign. They are a set of four clear retainers, so you can use them or keep them for future use.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

The length of Invisalign treatment varies depending on your specific needs and how closely you follow recommended guidelines. For mild to moderate cases, treatment can be as short as 4 months or up to a year, assuming no refinements are needed. Refinements may be necessary if your teeth are not tracking properly with the current set of aligners. In these cases, new aligners must be fabricated, which can extend your treatment time, sometimes significantly. The best way to stay on track is by wearing your aligners consistently for 22 hours a day, practicing good oral hygiene, and attending all scheduled check-ins. Staying consistent helps reduce the need for refinements and keep your treatment moving forward as planned.

Does Invisalign hurt?

It’s normal to experience some soreness or discomfort for a few days when you start your first Invisalign tray. This is your teeth beginning to move, which is an important sign that treatment is working. With each new tray, you may feel mild soreness again, although it is typically shorter and less intense than the first tray.

Does Invisalign affect your speech?

You may notice a slight change in your speech, such as a mild lisp, during the first few days of wearing your aligners. This is completely normal and temporary while your tongue is adjusting to the new shape in your mouth. Most people adapt within the first week and find their speech returns to normal. Practicing speaking out loud can help speed up the adjustment process.

Is Invisalign as effective as braces?

For most orthodontic cases, Invisalign is just as effective as traditional braces. However, there are certain complex situations where braces may be the better or only option due to the specific tooth movements required. It is also important to note that Invisalign’s success depends heavily on patient compliance. Aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day and maintained with proper hygiene. Inconsistent wear or poor care can compromise results and prolong treatment time. With good habits and regular check-ins, Invisalign is just as effective and more discreet than braces.

How do I clean my Invisalign aligners?

To keep the Invisalign treatment effective and hygienic, it is important to keep aligners clean. Rinse the aligners with cold water before placing them in and after removing them from your mouth. Each night, gently brush your aligners using a soft-bristled toothbrush (dedicated solely to your aligners), cold water, and a small amount of clear, unscented dish soap. Avoid using hot water, toothpaste, alcohol-based products, or hydrogen peroxide, as these can damage or distort the aligners, making them less effective. Keep them dry outside of the mouth in a designated case, not a paper towel.

Can I eat and drink while wearing Invisalign aligners?

Aligners should always be removed when eating or drinking anything other than plain water, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. This helps prevent damage to your aligners and protects your teeth. Drinking beverages with sugar, acid, or strong pigments (like coffee, tea, juice, or soda) while wearing aligners can cause staining and significantly increase your risk of cavities. That’s because the aligners hold liquid against your teeth, making it harder for your mouth to naturally rinse away sugars and acids. For the best results, remove your aligners before eating or drinking, and be sure to rinse your mouth and aligners with water before putting them back in.

What happens if I lose an Invisalign aligner?

Always keep your previous set of aligners as a backup. If you lose your current aligner, put your previous one back in right away and contact your dentist as soon as possible. In most cases, your dentist will have you wear the previous aligner temporarily while a replacement is ordered, usually arriving within a week. In some situations, your dentist may advise moving forward to the next set, but only if your teeth are ready. Advancing too soon can disrupt your treatment and potentially cause harm, so it’s important to follow your provider’s guidance closely.