The Unfiltered Guide to Invisalign: 12 Crucial Facts Before You Start

12 Things You Should Know Before Getting Invisalign

Invisalign offers an effective, discreet way to straighten your smile. However, knowing the full, practical commitment required—beyond the beautiful results—is essential. If you're considering treatment, these 12 crucial facts will prepare you for the daily realities, avoid unpleasant surprises and help you maximise your success.

1. The 22-Hour Rule is Non-Negotiable

You must be completely disciplined and wear the aligners for 22 hours per day. This leaves only 2 hours total for all meals, snacks, and oral hygiene. Falling short will slow your progress, make the next tray feel painfully tight, and can significantly delay your entire treatment.

2. You Will Have "Attachments" Glued to Your Teeth

For the aligners to move stubborn teeth (especially for rotations or complex movements), small, tooth-coloured composite bumps (called attachments or buttons) will be bonded to your teeth.

• The Surprise: While tooth-coloured, they are noticeable up close and can be a hassle to clean around. They are essential for the system to work effectively.

3. Interproximal Reduction (IPR) is Often Required

Many patients need Interproximal Reduction (IPR), which involves the dentist using a thin abrasive strip or disc to shave off a tiny amount of enamel (usually less than a millimeter) from between specific teeth.

• The Purpose: This creates the necessary microscopic space for crowded teeth to move and helps prevent black triangles (small gaps at the gum line). It sounds intimidating but is a standard, usually painless procedure.

4. You Will Be Brushing Constantly

You cannot eat or drink anything other than plain, cool water with your aligners in, as this traps sugars/acids against your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and staining the aligners.

• The Reality: After every meal, snack, or coffee, you must immediately remove your aligners, brush your teeth, and rinse your aligners before putting them back in. This often means brushing 4-6 times a day, often in public restrooms. (Aligners must be removed for all eating/drinking except water)

5. Retainers are a "For Life" Commitment

Once your treatment is complete, the final result is not permanent unless you wear a retainer. Teeth naturally want to drift back to their original position (relapse).

• The Commitment: You will need to wear a retainer (removable at night) indefinitely to maintain your straight smile. This is an essential extra cost and commitment.

6. Refinement Trays Are Common

Your teeth rarely move exactly as the computer simulation (ClinCheck) predicts. Near the end of your initial set of trays, a new scan may be taken to create a second, smaller batch of refinement trays to perfect the alignment.

• The Impact: This is normal, but it adds several extra months to your overall treatment timeline. Be sure to ask if the cost of refinements is included in your initial price.

7. The "Invisalign Lisp" is Real (At first)

The aligners take up space in your mouth, which can change the way your tongue forms certain sounds, causing a temporary lisp or slight slurring for the first few days, particularly when you first speak.

• The Fix: This typically resolves as your mouth quickly adapts, but it can be awkward for public speakers or customer-facing professionals initially.

8. Lost or Damaged Trays are an Extra Fee

The clear, removable design is a huge benefit, but it comes with a risk: you can lose a tray (often accidentally thrown away with a napkin) or damage it (by drinking hot liquids).

• The Cost: Replacing a single tray can incur an additional fee and cause a delay in your treatment while the replacement is ordered and manufactured.

9. They Can Stain Easily

While the plastic is clear, it is porous. Drinking anything coloured (coffee, tea, red wine, soda) or even eating highly pigmented foods (curry, mustard) while the aligners are in will quickly stain the plastic and make them visible.

• The Solution: Stick to clear water while wearing them and brush immediately after consuming anything else.

10. There Will Be Discomfort

While generally less painful than traditional braces, moving bone and teeth will still cause discomfort.

• The Experience: When you switch to a new set of aligners (usually every 1-2 weeks), your teeth will be sore and ache for the first 24–48 hours. Chewing hard food during this period can be difficult. Many patients schedule their tray changes for just before bed to "sleep through" the worst of the tightness.

11. Your Saliva and Lips Will Feel Different

When you first start wearing your aligners, your mouth produces more saliva temporarily (known as sialorrhea). Conversely, the aligners can create a constant, thin barrier between your teeth and your lips/inner cheeks, which can lead to a feeling of dryness or chapping around your mouth.

• The Practicality: You may temporarily feel the need to swallow more frequently or find yourself needing to keep lip balm handy at all times to manage lip dryness.

12. Some Cases Require Elastics or Metal Buttons

While Invisalign is marketed as an alternative to metal, complex bite issues (like an overbite or crossbite) often require extra components to move the entire jaw or group of teeth correctly.

• The Reality: Your orthodontist or dentist may require you to wear tiny elastics (rubber bands) that attach to small, temporary metal buttons or hooks placed on the aligners. These are worn for the same 22 hours per day and are noticeable, meaning your treatment may not be as "invisible" as you initially hoped.

Understanding Costs, Timelines, and Candidacy

Invisalign treatment costs vary significantly based on the complexity of your case, and your dentist. Expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 (or more for complex cases), though many practices offer payment plans or financing options. Always confirm whether refinement trays, retainers, and replacement trays are included in your quoted price—these "extras" can add up.

As for timeline, most patients complete treatment in 12 to 18 months, though simple cases may finish in as little as 3–6 months while complex corrections can take 18 to 24+ months. The computer simulation (ClinCheck) will give you a personalised estimate, but remember: your actual timeline depends heavily on your compliance with the 22-hour rule.

Are You a Candidate?

Not everyone qualifies for Invisalign. Severe bite issues, significant jaw misalignment, or certain complex tooth movements may require traditional braces instead. Additionally, Invisalign works best for patients who can commit to the discipline required—if you know you'll struggle with the 22-hour rule or constant aligner care, discuss this honestly with your orthodontist or dentist.

A consultation with a scan and assessment will determine if you're a good candidate and what results you can realistically expect. Tip: If the clinic charge $18 - $98 for consultation, always check with them if your records will be returned to you if you decide not to proceed with them.

Invisalign delivers results, but success requires discipline, patience, and realistic expectations. Armed with these facts, you're better prepared to decide if it's the right choice for your lifestyle.

Book your Invisalign Consult during our open house to get a sneak peek of your beautiful smile today. Call 6426 9395 or WhatsApp 9192 3138.