Invisalign, Invisalign Braces, Invisalign Vs Braces, Dental Invisalign, Teeth Invisalign, Invisalign Treatment, Invisalign Orthodontics

Invisalign | Pacific West Dental

Why Choose Invisalign to Straigthen Your Teeth?

Invisalign is an effective way to straighten your teeth. Instead of using metal wires and brackets (like normal braces), Invisalign is a piece of clear plastic that you would wear to straighten your teeth. The best part is – it is unnoticeable to other people. That is why many people choose to use Invisalign to straighten their teeth. 

Main benefits of using Invisalign:

Highly effective for teeth straigthening

Almost invisible when wearing it

Faster results

Comfortable to wear, no poking

Easy to eat, floss and clean

What is Invisalign and How Does it Work?

A series of clear, removable aligners are produced at the start of the treatment. Each aligner set is worn for about a two week period; you remove them to eat, drink, brush and floss your teeth and you must wear them the rest of the time. At the end of the two week period (or the time period prescribed by your treatment plan), you replace the aligner with the next set in the series.

This continues for the whole dental program prescribed. Your teeth are being moved by these aligners until they have straightened to the correct position. Every six weeks, you will need to visit our office to check on the progress and ensure that the re-alignment is proceeding according to the plan.

Average Treatment Period

9—15 months

Average Number of Aligners Worn

18—30

Average Use Life for Each Aligner

~2 weeks

Check Up With Your Orthodontist

Every 6 weeks
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5 Steps Of Getting Invisalign Aligners

Nothing compares to the joy of starting a beautiful day with a bright smile – without feeling ashamed to show off your teeth. We are so glad that you are taking the important first step in obtaining a healthy and beautiful smile that you deserve! The journey to a beautiful smile may seem daunting, but it really is not!  The professional and friendly orthodontists at PacificWest Dental Group will take you through the process  that transforms your smile. We cannot wait to begin this journey together with you!

Schedule a visit to one of our orthodontists at PacificWest

Your Invisalign journey starts with a consultation with Dr. Wang or Dr. Lee at one of our offices, or virtually through an online video chat. . The essence of your initial one-on-one consultation is for us to hear your needs, evaluate your specific condition, and  come up with  treatment options that are best suited for you. We will discuss the difference between appliances, give you the estimated treatment time, and provide you a quote of the estimated fee. , We will also answer any questions that you might have to make sure you are comfortable with the proposed treatment plan  before starting your treatment. 

Collection of diagnostic record

The next line of action is to collect a complete set of diagnostic record of you, which include:digital photos of your teeth and face, digital x-ray of all of your teeth and the skull, and a3-D  scan of your teeth. Using these records, the doctors will complete the analysis of your case and finalize the treatment plan. These records are then sent to the Invisalign lab, which will convert the records into a 3D model of your teeth on a computer software called the clincheck. The doctor will then spend around 2-3 weeks communicating with the Invisalign lab technician to program and sequence the entire movement of your teeth from start to finish. Once the doctor is happy with the planned movement, he will approve the case for Invisalign to manufacture the aligners. 

Fitting your first Invisalign Aligner

When your custom-built Invisalign  aligners arrives, your doctor will invite you to fit your first Invisalign tray. The Invisalign tray is made of BPA free plastic, specifically engineered to exert the optimal amount of force to move teeth in an efficient but healthy manner.  . For the best result, it is required for you to  wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. This means you should  only remove the aligners to eat, brush or floss. We will teach you how to properly insert and remove your aligners, proper oral hygiene technique, and help you download the MyInvisalign app on your smart phone to help you keep track of your progress. 

Follow-up sessions and checkups

Your orthodontist will instruct you on how often you should change your aligners,   the frequency ranges from 7-14 days per aligner Each new aligner feels somewhat different because it is meant to move, adapt, and put your teeth into place until everything is wholly refined. However, the success and the length of your Invisalign treatment also depends on your commitment. An analogy we often tell our patients is in this journey, we take control of the steering wheel and navigation, but the patients are in charge of the gas pedal and how fast we get there. So  we need your help with wearing the aligners properly, keeping your teeth clean, and showing up to your checkup appointments. 

It’s time to show off your beautiful and healthy smile

You’ve worked hard to wear the aligners faithfully and have completed the treatment, congratulations! In your debond appointment, we will remove all the attachments from your teeth and give them a quick polish. We will take another set of records to document the beautiful result that we are all proud to show off. But most importantly, we will make you a set of retainers to maintain the teeth in its perfect position.  This is because  the bones around the teeth need time to solidify and heal up. This process usually takes between 3-6 months to complete. Afterwards, we still recommend patients to wear a retainer every night for the first year, and slowly taper down to 1-2 nights per week thereafter for the rest of the life. Who says you can’t have an attractive, healthy smile that will last a lifetime? 

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Is Invisalign Suitable For Me?

Invisalign can be used to treat these common teeth alignment issues:

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth or overcrowding takes place when the jaw bone  is too small for teeth to grow into the mouth on a straight trajectory. As a result, the teeth  need to rotate and overlap against each other to fit in, creating crookedness and malalignment. 

Irregular Spacing

Like a jigsaw puzzle, teeth needs to be in a certain shape and size to have the best fit against each other..

Open Bite

An open bite occurs when the front upper and lower teeth slant in an outward direction, preventing them from touching each other when the patient bite down.

Under Bite

The opposite of an overbite, an underbite is seen when the lower teeth along the lower jaw protrude out further than the upper front teeth. Underbites are also often the product of incorrect jaw alignment.

Over Bite

An overbite is evidenced when the upper jaw and teeth are extend too far over the teeth on the lower jaw resulting in the appearance of protrusive upper lip and teeth, or buck teeth. Overbite is the result of a mismatch in the size between upper and lower jaw bone sizes, with an abnormally small lower jaw bone being the most common.

Certified Invisalign Provider in Surrey and Vancouver, BC

Invisalign braces are a trademark brand of clear, invisible and high quality aligners for your teeth. As part of its orthodontic care program, PacificWest Dental Group offers Invisalign® treatment, as well as a range of other types of orthodontic braces.

Do you want braces that are clear, removable and invisible, yet still perform effectively at straightening your teeth? Invisalign® aligners will help you get the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted – without traditional braces. PacificWest Dental Group’s, Dr. Wang is a certified Invisalign provider and will offer you a complimentary consultation to determine if Invisalign is the best choice for you.

Why Would You Want to Use Invisalign?

While these aligners are invisible, they are also removable. This means that you will be able to eat all types of foods (sticky, chewy, hard, and soft) while undergoing treatment.

You will also be able to easily clean your teeth (brushing and flossing) without any obstacles. The aligners are comfortable and, unlike some other orthodontic appliances, you will find that they do not cause soreness or abrasions during treatment.

Since there are no metal, wires or elastics used with the aligners, you will find that you require fewer appointments at the orthodontist because you require fewer adjustments.

Invisalign FAQs

Invisalign is a start-of-the-art orthodontic technology  that correct teeth alignment and establish ideal bite by exerting controlled force on the teeth. Invisalign is as effective as traditional braces. A precise 3-D  scan of your teeth is used for the doctor to gently move your teeth to the final position via  a series of Invisalign aligners, which you’d be recommended to wear for 20 to 22 hours every day. For more details on how Invisalign works, please see this page.

People often experience minor soreness of their teeth  during their first few days of wearing Invisalign aligners, which will go away after a few days of consistently wearing aligners. This mild discomfort   is a sign that your treatment is working, and your teeth are gradually moving to the right position.

Invisalign aligners  are made with a transparent plastic material that covers over all of your teeth. It would take trained eyes in close distance for people to notice that you are wearing your aligners.

Please do not smoke while Invisalign is being worn on your teeth. The cigarrett smoke will stain your Invisalign aligners, (just like how it damages your lungs!), it’ll get discolored and the stains will  be noticeable.

Invisalign doesn’t stop you from munching your favorite meal or snacks. Eat all you can. But ensure to remove your aligners and then brush your teeth before replacing your aligners.

Chewing gum while wearing your aligners is not a good idea because the gum will stick to them, and you will likely damage your aligners in the process. Please ensure to remove your aligners before chewing gum, or you may chew it after mealtime.  

For the best results, you are recommended to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 to 22 hours every day. Translation:, you should only remove it when it’s time to eat or brush. 

Only for the first few days. With aligners on, many don’t usually experience hindrances in their speech. However, you may notice a slight difference. It takes a few days before getting used to speaking fluently with aligners on your teeth. But once you get used to it, it won’t affect your speech anymore. In fact, orthodontist often use this as a gauge of how much patients are wearing their aligners. If you are still talking funny after wearing aligners for a few weeks, chances are you are not wearing them enough.

We recommend cleaning your aligners everytime when you are cleaning your teeth. Simply brush your aligners with your toothbrush and rinse with warm water. You do not need to use toothpaste. That’s enough to clean your teeth aligners.

Our orthodontists will inform you when to come for appointments. Because the whole sequence of movement for your teeth were planned out at the beginning of the treatment, we only need to see   you every 8-12 weeks for checkups to ensure the treatment is going as planned. Nowadays, we offer virtual appointments for our Invisalign patients where you can submit photos of  your teeth with the aligners in for us to check the fitment. This allows us to identify problems virtually and schedule you to come in earlier as needed.

Since its inception in the 1990’s, Invisalign has been working closely with orthodontists to continually improve its efficiency as a tool. Today, we are confident in using Invisalign to treat almost all kinds of malocclusion.  Having said that, as every patient is unique and special, there is no one solution that will fit everyone. That’s why at Pacific West Dental Group, we start every  treatment with a detailed consultation and diagnostic process. This way, we will not only get the chance to evaluate if Invisalign is the perfect option for your condition, but also discuss how we can tailor the treatment with your busy schedule.

The length of treatment largely depends on your needs. The average treatment period for most patients is 18-24  months. It is crucial to wear the aligners 22 hours a day and follow your orthodontist's instructions to ensure your treatment goes as planned. At PacificWest Dental Group, we support patients on their journey to the perfect smile.

Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of Invisalign treatment because it's considered an elective procedure. However, it would be best to inquire about insurance coverage as some companies offer partial coverage, depending on your plan and needs. Ultimately, the benefits of a sparkling and healthy smile make the costs worth it. Call PacificWest Dental Group for a consultation appointment today!

Speak with an Orthodontist

LET’S SEE IF INVISALIGN IS THE BEST SOLUTION FOR YOU. LEARN MORE TODAY.

Dr Wang

Dr. Wang, DDS, MSc, FRCD(C)

Orthodontist

Dr Kevin Lee

Dr. Kevin Lee, DMD, MSc, FRCD(C)

Orthodontist

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Where To Find Us?

With locations in Vancouver and Surrey, we are proud to help patients from all over Metro Vancouver with their Orthodontist and Invisalign needs. Choose a location works best for you and come see what we are all about for yourself.

Book a Consultation

Get started todaY by calling us at 604-558-0993 (Vancouver) OR 604-501-0993 (sURREY), or by filling the form below.

During your initial consultation, we will understand your situation, perform a visual examination of your bite, recommend a treatment plan and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

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Existing Patients – please use contact form