
What to Expect When Getting Started with Invisalign®

Nothing can boost a person’s confidence like a straighter, more brilliant smile. That’s why our talented team offers Invisalign treatment at The Dental Touch in Oakland, California.
Not only does this trusted teeth straightening system provide reliable results, but it also does it with barely noticeable aligners — and you know what to expect before your program even begins.
Ready to transform your smile with Invisalign? Here’s what you can expect:
The initial consultation
As with most treatments, Invisalign programs start with a consultation. During this appointment, our Invisalign-trained providers assess your smile and use state-of-the-art technology to create a precise and personalized digital treatment plan.
Unlike other teeth straightening systems, Invisalign relies on the iTero Element® scanner — a leading digital scanner — integrated into Align Technology. This advanced approach creates a high-resolution, interactive image of your teeth. Think of it as the digital roadmap that sets the course to your brand-new smile.
That also means you know exactly how your smile will look at the end of your treatment from the very beginning; there’s no need to “wait and see” with Invisalign.
Once you approve your plan, you’re ready to start your treatment.
Beginning Invisalign treatment
With your plan in place, we can create your custom-made aligners. These are the barely noticeable trays you wear for 20-22 hours each day that gently move your teeth into their ideal position.
When you pick up your aligners, we provide instructions on how long to wear them before changing to your new set. In most cases, you can plan on wearing each set of aligners for 1-2 weeks before moving to the next ones. We also provide care instructions so you can keep them — and your oral health — in top shape.
Moving through your series of aligners and wearing them as directed ensures your treatment stays on track. When it does, many people start noticing a difference in their smile within weeks. However, completing your entire program can take at least six months.
How Invisalign affects daily life
Unlike traditional braces with wires, Invisalign aligners are barely noticeable. On top of that, you can take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss. However, there are important things to keep in mind when beginning an Invisalign treatment program.
First, they aren’t everyday plastic. Instead, they’re a medical-grade, high molecular weight, thermoplastic polymer material. This makes them strong and virtually invisible, but they can still break and stain.
As a result, it’s essential to remove your trays whenever you eat or drink — unless it’s water — and clean them as directed. We also recommend abstaining from tobacco use while undergoing Invisalign treatment.
Adjusting to Invisalign
When your treatment begins, it can take a few days for your tongue to grow accustomed to the aligners. Don’t worry — this fades quickly! It’s also common to experience some minor discomfort or looseness in your teeth, which can occur each time you put in a new set of trays.
These are normal responses as your teeth start moving into their ideal position. However, it usually fades as you grow used to the aligners.
After beginning your treatment program, you make regular visits to the office so we can monitor your progress and make sure it stays on track every step of the way.
Invisalign has straightened more than 15 million smiles. Ready to add yours to the mix? Contact The Dental Touch Oakland to schedule a consultation in Oakland, California, today.
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