Invisalign is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners that both orthodontists and dentists use as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces.

Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. Your teeth and gums – and how they look to others when you smile—say a lot about your overall health. If you’re taking good care of both, you’re probably taking good care of the rest of you.

The most obvious advantage of the treatment is cosmetic: the aligners are completely transparent, therefore far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. This makes the method particularly popular among adults who want to straighten their teeth without the look of traditional metal braces, which are commonly worn by children and adolescents. Due to the removable nature of the device, food can be consumed without the encumbrance of metallic braces.

Another advantage of the treatment is improved periodontal health: teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced can create unhealthy conditions, including swollen gums, redness and pocketing, all of which are signs of periodontal disease. As Invisalign invisibly straightens your teeth, it can also do great things for the health of your mouth. Properly aligned teeth can help gums “fit” tighter around each tooth, which may lead to better periodontal health.

Average treatment time is about one year, again depending on the complexity of the treatment. Although the aligners are removable, they must be worn at least 20 to 22 hours per day to avoid delaying the treatment process. If they are not worn consistently, treatment time will increase.  After the regular aligner or braces treatment is complete, retainers composed of a similar plastic material are usually required to be worn, at least at night.