Smile Confidently With Invisalign
Our Maple Ridge dentists offer Invisalign clear custom orthodontic aligners to patients looking to straighten their teeth without metal wires and brackets.
Invisalign is a series of transparent, custom-made plastic aligners that are an effective treatment option for patients who are concerned about the potential inconvenience and aesthetics of braces. Invisalign treatment at our clinic includes a 5-year guarantee for your results!
At Kanaka Creek Family Dental, we offer Invisalign clear aligners as an orthodontic treatment options for children, teens and adults.
Using our Primescan digital scanner, we create a precise 3D map of your teeth — no messy impressions needed. This digital model lets us plan your entire treatment and show you a virtual preview of your expected results before you begin. Combined with our 5-year guarantee, you can start your Invisalign journey with complete confidence.
Invisalign Benefits
Invisalign aligners have a clear plastic construction that makes them virtually invisible when you wear them. In addition, the aligners are removable, meaning that you don't have to make any changes to your brushing and flossing routine, and there are no dietary restrictions either.
How does Invisalign work?
At the outset of your treatment, you will receive a series of Invisalign aligners that have been custom made to fit your smile. You will wear each set of aligners in the series for ten days, and then switch it out for the next set in the series.
The aligners will straighten your teeth in tiny increments that have been carefully planned out ahead of time by your dentist. Each set is designed to fit your smile during its designated two-week turn.
Your Treatment Timeline
Most Invisalign treatments take 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of your case. Simple spacing or crowding issues may be resolved in as little as 6 months, while more complex bite corrections can take 12 to 18 months. You will visit our Maple Ridge clinic every 6 to 8 weeks so your dentist can monitor your progress and provide your next sets of aligners.
What Invisalign Can Treat
Invisalign effectively treats crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. While traditional braces are still recommended for some complex orthodontic cases, Invisalign can address the vast majority of alignment issues for patients of all ages.
Invisalign FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we get about Invisalign treatment:
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How long does Invisalign treatment take?
The duration of Invisalign treatment is comparable to that of metal braces. It will depend on the nature and extent of your misalignment, and your overall compliance to treatment.
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What are Invisalign aligners made of?
Invisalign aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight polyurethane resins. They are BPA free.
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How long do I need to wear my aligners each day?
Invisalign aligners may be removable, but they should not be removed very often! You should only remove your aligners to eat, to brush and floss your teeth, and to clean the aligners themselves. You should wear your Invisalign aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day throughout treatment.
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How do I care for my aligners?
Taking care of Invisalign aligners is easy. Here's what to do:
- Rinse your aligners each time you remove them.
- Soak your aligners every day using Retainer Brite, or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals.
- Brush and floss before reinserting your aligners – every time.
- Clean your aligners every day with a clear anti-bacterial soft soap and a soft toothbrush.
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How often do I have to visit the dentist during Invisalign treatment?
Your dentist will schedule Invisalign appointments with you every four to six weeks during treatment.
During these appointments, your dentist will monitor your progress, and potentially make adjustments to your treatment if you are ahead of or behind schedule.
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How will Invisalign fit into my daily life?
Invisalign is designed to be as convenient as possible for orthodontics patients. Their low-profile appearance makes them very difficult for others to see when you wear them, so any social annoyances will be minor.
Secondly, you can take your aligners out to eat, and when you brush and floss your teeth. That you don't have to worry about dietary restrictions, and your brushing and flossing routine will remain unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Treatment length varies depending on the complexity of your case. Simple alignment corrections may take as little as 6 months, while more complex cases typically require 12 to 18 months. Your dentist will give you an estimated timeline during your initial consultation after scanning your teeth with our Primescan digital scanner.
- How many hours a day do I need to wear my aligners?
For best results, wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours per day. You only remove them to eat, drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss your teeth. The more consistently you wear your aligners, the more predictable your results and timeline will be.
- Is Invisalign painful?
Most patients experience mild pressure or tightness for the first day or two after switching to a new set of aligners. This is normal and means the aligners are working. The discomfort is generally much less than what patients experience with traditional braces, and it typically fades within 48 hours. If you are sensitive, over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient.
- Can I eat and drink with Invisalign?
You must remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than plain water. This means there are no food restrictions — you can eat whatever you like. Simply brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Drinking hot beverages with aligners in can warp the plastic, and coloured drinks can stain them.
- How much does Invisalign cost?
The cost of Invisalign varies depending on the complexity and duration of your treatment. During your consultation, we will provide a detailed cost estimate. Most dental insurance plans that cover orthodontics will also cover Invisalign. We offer flexible payment plans to make treatment accessible, and we direct-bill to most insurance providers.
- What happens after treatment is complete?
After your final set of aligners, you will wear a retainer to maintain your results. Without a retainer, teeth can gradually shift back toward their original positions. We typically recommend a fixed retainer bonded behind the front teeth or a removable retainer worn at night. Our 5-year guarantee covers any touch-up aligners needed during that period.
Why Choose Kanaka Creek for Invisalign
- 5-Year Guarantee — Your Invisalign results are backed by our comprehensive guarantee. If your teeth shift within 5 years of completing treatment, we will provide additional aligners at no extra charge.
- Digital Scanning with Primescan — No goopy impressions. Our Primescan digital scanner creates a precise 3D model of your teeth in minutes, and you can see a virtual preview of your results before starting treatment.
- All Ages Welcome — We offer Invisalign First for children, Invisalign Teen with compliance indicators, and Invisalign for adults, each tailored to the unique needs of that age group.
- Flexible Payment Plans — We offer affordable monthly payment options and direct-bill to most insurance providers to make clear aligner treatment accessible to more families.
- Comprehensive Dental Care — As a full-service dental practice, we can address any dental needs that arise during your Invisalign treatment, from preventive care to teeth whitening at the end of your treatment for a complete smile transformation.
- Experienced Invisalign Providers — Our dentists have extensive experience with Invisalign and stay current with the latest techniques and aligner technology to deliver the best possible results.
Who Can Benefit From Invisalign Treatment?
If you are considering Invisalign treatment, take a look at the advantages you get, based on the aligners that are right for you.
Invisalign First®
Invisalign offers a line of aligners geared to children's growing smiles. These aligners, known as Invisalign First, focus on optimal jaw and arch development as well as straightening out teeth that have grown in crooked.
Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen is geared to the unique needs of teenagers. These clear aligners feature compliance indicators to help busy teens stay on track with their treatment, and eruption tabs for their growing adult teeth. It even comes with extra replacements for aligners that get misplaced.
Invisalign For Adults
In recent years, more and more adults are choosing to get their misalignments treated, in part due to the advent of more inconspicuous treatment options like Invisalign. Invisalign's low profile aesthetic and convenience factor is a significant draw for many adult orthodontic patients.