The clear aligners are very hard to notice when worn, so most people won’t even realize you’re straightening your teeth. You can smile and talk without the self-consciousness that often comes with metal braces, making Invisalign a popular choice for working adults and image-conscious teens.
Invisalign - Clear Aligners in Calgary
Straighten Your Smile Discreetly with Invisalign
Dreaming of a straighter smile but hesitant about wearing metal braces? Buffalo Run Dental treats patients with a solution - Invisalign® - clear aligners. Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic system that straightens your teeth using a series of virtually invisible, removable aligner trays. Whether you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth – or minor bite issues like an overbite or crossbite – Invisalign can often correct these problems comfortably and discreetly. Now you can achieve a beautifully aligned smile without the mouthful of metal wires and brackets.
Request an Appointment
If you’re interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign, schedule an examination with our team. We will evaluate your smile, the effectiveness of Invisalign related to your teeth, and answer all your questions. Get ready to enjoy the confidence of a straighter, healthier smile – on your terms and timeline – with Invisalign clear aligners!
How Invisalign Works
How Invisalign works: We start with an examintation to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Many teens and adults with mild-to-moderate alignment issues are eligible. If you decide to proceed, we will take detailed digital scans or impressions of your teeth. These are used to create a precise 3D digital model of your mouth. Using Invisalign’s advanced software, we map out a personalized treatment plan – essentially a step-by-step animation of how your teeth will move from their current positions into the desired alignment. You’ll even get to preview a digital simulation of your future smile!
Once the plan is finalized, a series of custom aligners is fabricated just for you. Each aligner is made of a smooth, BPA-free, clear plastic and is designed to fit snugly over your teeth. You will wear each set of aligners for about 1–2 weeks, 20–22 hours per day (all the time except when eating, drinking anything other than water, or brushing and flossing). Approximately every one to two weeks, you’ll switch to the next set of aligners. Each aligner is slightly different, gently pressuring specific teeth to move them gradually into place. Because the changes from one aligner to the next are small, tooth movement is comfortable and controlled.
You’ll visit our dental office every 4–6 weeks for a quick checkup so we can monitor your progress and provide the next set of aligners. Unlike braces, where you might have long adjustment appointments, Invisalign checkups are usually short and easy. The total treatment duration varies based on the complexity of your case. Simple cases may be completed in as little as 6 months, while more complex corrections may take 12–18 months or longer. The average treatment for adults is around 12 months for noticeable improvement, but you’ll likely see changes in your smile within just a few months.
Benefits of Invisalign
Nearly Invisible
Removable Convenience
You can take the aligners out whenever you need to eat or clean your teeth. This means no food restrictions – enjoy popcorn, nuts, corn on the cob, and all your favourites, as long as you remove your trays first. Brushing and flossing are also business as usual (no threading around brackets and wires), which helps you maintain excellent oral hygiene during treatment. Just remember to pop your aligners back in afterwards!
Comfortable Treatment
Invisalign trays are custom-made to fit your teeth and are fabricated with smooth edges. There are no metal brackets that can irritate your cheeks or wires that could poke your mouth. While you may feel gentle pressure with each new aligner (a sign that they’re working), Invisalign tends to be more comfortable overall than traditional braces. Additionally, fewer emergency visits are needed (no brackets popping off or wires poking).
Predictable & Effective
Thanks to the advanced planning software, Invisalign treatment is highly planned and visualized from the start. You’ll know what to expect, and approximately how long it will take. In many cases, Invisalign achieves results comparable to conventional braces. And if compliance is high (meaning you wear them as directed), your teeth can move efficiently and on schedule.
Life Continues as Normal
With Invisalign, you can remove the trays for special occasions, sports, or playing musical instruments – something not possible with fixed braces. Many patients love the freedom this offers. Also, since aligners are removed to eat, you won’t have the dietary challenges or frequent orthodontic appliance cleanings that brace wearers do.
Patient Responsibility
It’s worth noting that the success of Invisalign largely depends on wearing the aligners diligently. Because they’re removable, it can be tempting to leave them out for extended periods, but doing so can delay your progress. We always advise patients to only remove them for meals and oral care. The good news is, because they’re comfortable and clear, most people get used to wearing them pretty quickly – they just become part of your routine.
Your Invisalign Journey and Retainers
Throughout your Invisalign journey, our Buffalo Run Dental team will support you every step of the way. We’ll ensure your aligners fit well, make any necessary adjustments (sometimes small tooth-coloured “attachments” are placed on certain teeth to help the aligners grip and move them – these are minor and temporary), and answer any questions you have. We love seeing our patients’ smiles improve, aligner by aligner!
At the end of active treatment, we will provide retainers to maintain your beautifully straightened teeth (this is standard for any orthodontic treatment). These retainers are usually similar to aligners but slightly thicker for long-term use. Wearing your retainer as instructed (usually at night) will keep your teeth from shifting back to their old positions.
