Invisalign in Ashburton

How Invisalign works

Invisalign uses a sequence of custom-made clear aligners, each worn for one to two weeks. Every aligner moves your teeth a fraction closer to the planned result. Because the whole sequence is planned digitally from the start, you can see a simulation of your likely outcome before you commit to anything.

Aligners are removable, so you take them out to eat and to brush — which is why cleaning stays straightforward compared with fixed braces. They need to be worn 20–22 hours a day to work on schedule, so they suit people who’ll be disciplined about putting them back in.

Is it right for you?

Your treatment journey

1. Consultation. We assess whether Invisalign suits your case, discuss what’s realistic, and set out costs. Cosmetic consultations start from $49.
2. Digital scan and plan. A 3D scan of your teeth is used to map the full sequence of movements, and to show you a preview of the projected result.
3. Your aligners arrive. We fit the first set, attach any small tooth-coloured attachments needed, and check they’re comfortable.
4. Progress at home. You change aligners on schedule and see us periodically so we can confirm things are tracking as planned.
5. Retention. Once teeth are in position, a retainer holds them there. This part isn’t optional — teeth drift back without it.

Life with aligners

Aligners come out for eating and drinking anything other than water, then you brush and put them back — which quietly stops snacking, a side effect patients often mention with a smile. Speech is slightly affected for a day or two and then normalises. Each new aligner feels tight for a day; that pressure is the treatment working. Attachments — small tooth-coloured bumps bonded to certain teeth — give the aligners grip, and are far less visible than people fear.

The whole system depends on wear time. Twenty to twenty-two hours a day keeps treatment on schedule; less, and teeth drift back between aligners and the plan slips. If you know discipline will be a struggle, braces are the honest recommendation — and we’ll say so.

What happens after treatment

Teeth have a long memory and drift back without retention, so retainers aren’t optional. A clear retainer worn at night, sometimes with a thin fixed wire behind the front teeth, holds the result. We check the fit at regular visits, and replacing a lost or worn retainer promptly is the single most important thing you can do to protect what you’ve invested in.

Invisalign — common questions