Invisalign FAQ

If you want a new smile but don’t want to deal with the brackets and wires of traditional braces, Invisalign may be the perfect option for you. With Invisalign, you can get a straighter, healthier smile without anyone noticing since the clear aligners fit perfectly over your teeth and are practically invisible. At The Braces Place, we are proud to offer Invisalign as a treatment option to our patients from Lexington, SC and the surrounding communities, helping them achieve the perfect smiles that they’ve always wanted.

We’ve helped countless patients transform their smiles with Invisalign, and over the years, we’ve heard almost every question there is. Dr. Pannella and our team encourage you to ask any question that comes to mind, and we’re always available and ready to help you get the information you need, but we’re all about making things as easy as possible for you. That’s why we’ve put the answer to the most frequently asked questions about Invisalign below. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for here, just reach out to and and we’ll help you.

Q. How often must I wear my aligners?

A. Even though your aligners are removable, you must wear your aligners for up to 22 hours daily so they can move your teeth into their new positioning. The only time that you should take your aligners out is when you’re eating, drinking, and for your normal oral hygiene routine. 

Q. Are there any restrictions to what I can eat while in treatment?

A. While braces can be damaged by hard or sticky foods, Invisalign allows you to eat anything you want throughout your treatment. Just make sure you take your aligners out before your start eating, since it’s possible for hard food to damage the plastic aligner. Additionally, you need to brush your teeth, floss, and rinse after every meal. Any food particles or bacteria that gets stuck between your teeth and the aligners will be pressed tightly up against your teeth to create the perfect environment for tooth decay. 

Q. Will wearing the aligners affect my speech?

A. While the Invisalign aligners don’t protrude off of your teeth like the brackets and wires of braces, they are still an appliance that your mouth isn’t accustomed to having there. You may notice some minor differences in your speech in the first few days, but after you adjust to wearing them, you should be able to speak as you normally would. 

Q. Is there any discomfort with Invisalign® treatment?

A. Invisalign works by applying a small amount of pressure to your teeth in order to move them into their new positioning. This pressure causes some minor discomfort for the first day or two every time you put on a new set of aligners. You can take over-the-counter painkillers, but the discomfort is usually minimal to the point where they aren’t necessary.

Q. Can I chew gum with my aligners in?

A. While things like sugar-free gum aren’t going to rot your teeth, the problem with gum is that it can stick to your aligners and be difficult to get off. In some cases, the gum could even pull the aligner off your teeth while chewing. We recommend that you take your aligners off to chew gum, and brush your teeth after just in case. 

Q. Can I smoke with the aligners in?

A. One of the biggest advantages to having Invisalign is the fact that they are practically invisible on your teeth, but if you smoke while wearing your aligners, they can become discolored and make your teeth look yellow. To prevent that from happening, we highly recommend that you do not smoke with your Invisalign in. 

Q. How do I keep my aligners clean?

A. Keeping your Invisalign clear of food particles and bacteria is the key to a radiant smile, so make sure you clean your aligners after every meal. To keep them clean, just brush them gently with your toothbrush and a little bit of toothpaste. You can even let them soak in a denture cleaning solution so they are completely spotless. 

Q. How often do I see an orthodontist while wearing Invisalign®?

A. At The Braces Place, we want to make sure that you smile is as perfect as possible when you finish your orthodontic treatment, which is why we have regular check ups with you to make sure that your teeth are moving as we expect them to. These appointments also give you a chance to talk to Dr. Pannella and our team to ask any questions or share any concerns you have so we can help you. You can expect these office visits to be every five to six weeks. 

Q. What happens after my treatment is complete? Do I need retainers?

A. Retention is an essential stage after any orthodontic treatment that ensures that new smile of yours will last a lifetime. After your teeth are done moving, your jawbone still needs time to adjust to their new positioning, and without a retainer they will return to where they were before you started treatment. There are different types of retainers available, and you will be able to wear your retainer less over time as you jawbone adjusts. 

Q. How long does Invisalign treatment take?

A. Everyone’s smile is different, and and the distance and degree to which the teeth need to move to be perfectly aligned is different for every patient. Depending on the severity of misalignment, treatment time with Invisalign can take anywhere between six to 18 months. 

Q. Does Invisalign work for kids?

A. Invisalign is available for kids, but only if all of their permanent teeth have grown in completely. We offer Invisalign Teen, which is a version of Invisalign that is designed just for teens. The aligners also come with a “compliance marker”, which is a small blue dot on the aligner that will wear away when worn to ensure that your kids are wearing them as they should.

Get Started With Invisalign At The Braces Place 

If you’re ready for a new smile, there’s only one place that will give you the best in orthodontic care: The Braces Place! Just contact us if you have any questions about Invisalign that you didn’t see on this list, or if you want to schedule an appointment to get your Invisalign! We look forward to helping you achieve a radiant, healthy smile!