Thanks to Transparent Aligners and Teeth Correction without Braces (Orthodontics), Your Teeth Crowding Can Be Corrected. 
Invisalign treatment has provided a solution to the crowded teeth problem of more than 4 million people. With an efficient and aesthetics-oriented approach that utilizes almost invisible appliances, this treatment does not require you to put on braces.

What is Invisalign treatment?

Invisalign, a computer-assisted orthodontic treatment technology, is applied to correct your teeth with unique transparent trays (aligners), without using braces. The most important reason for the preference of Invisalign is that it is not noticeable that you are receiving orthodontic treatment while correcting the teeth crowding.

How do teeth align without braces?

Invisalign trays are made in series, in line with the position where the teeth are to be moved. Each tray creates a movement of 0.05 mm. The set of trays are worn for 15 days before changing to a new set of aligners.

How are transparent trays produced in line with the movement of the teeth?

Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth using a 3D scanning method called CAD-CAM system and this impression will be transferred to the computer. Teeth impression is transferred to the virtual environment and moved via a computer simulation. Transparent trays are produced in accordance with each 0.05 mm movement in the simulation.

Is it possible to see the treatment result before my Invisalign treatment?

Yes. After your treatment plan is created in the virtual environment, you can see the treatment result in three dimensions. During the entire treatment process, you can observe the movement of your teeth in the virtual environment.

Can everyone receive the Invisalign treatment?

It is an orthodontic treatment that can be applied to adults, adolescents, and children.  However, you need to get an examination in order to determine whether you are suitable for Invisalign treatment. Moderate and mild teeth crowding can be treated with Invisalign.  An orthodontic treatment that requires tooth extraction can also be treated with Invisalign.  Only the dentist can decide to proceed with an Invisalign with dental extraction.

At what age can my child receive Invisalign treatment?

All the milk teeth of your child should be fallen out and at least the second molar teeth must have partially erupted. This is roughly the period when your child is 13 or 14 years old.

What is the biggest advantage of Invisalign treatment?

The most important advantage of Invisalign treatment is that it does not negatively affect your daily life in any way.
First of all, Invisalign is hardly noticeable in your mouth and you can continue to laugh as confidently during the treatment.
You can easily remove your trays while eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth, and eat whatever you want.
Since the treatment is made without metal and soft trays are used, your teeth and gums will not be irritated.
Invisalign can be easily applied to both adolescents and adults.

Will I feel pain during Invisalign treatment?

In order for the teeth to move, force must be applied. You will feel a pressure when you first insert the transparent trays.  Your teeth will adapt to this pressure shortly

How often will there be check-ups during my Invisalign treatment?

You will have monthly check-ups. Two new transparent trays will be given to you in each check-up.  The transparent trays are changed in every 15 days. For example, if 20 trays were produced for your treatment, your treatment will last 10 months. 

How long should I wear the transparent trays?

You should wear the transparent trays for an average of 20 hours a day. It is recommended to take them off only while eating.  Apart from that, in important situations such as a very important meeting, you can take them out for a maximum of 1 to 2 hours.

Do I need to remove my transparent trays while drinking something?

You can drink lukewarm or cold drinks while wearing your trays, but you should take them off while drinking hot drinks like tea. Invisalign trays are thermoplastic and therefore they can be deformed by heat.

Are the Invisalign trays noticeable to outsiders?

According to the feedback we have received from our patients who have undergone the Invisalign treatment, nobody noticed that they had trays in their mouth unless the patients told them. Many patients shared that when they removed their trays to eat, the people around them were surprised and asked, "Did you have something in your mouth?".

Will Invisalign treatment affect my speaking?

After 1 or 2 days of adaptation period, you will not experience any problems. If you are going to have a long speech in a meeting, you can remove your Invisalign trays for 1 to 2 hours.

How do I care for my Invisalign trays?

You can clean your Invisalign trays every morning and evening with a toothbrush under running warm water.

I smoke, will my transparent trays discolor?

If you smoke a lot, your transparent trays will discolor unlike the trays of patients who do not smoke. However, since you will change your Invisalign trays every 15 days, this discoloring will not be severe.

Which treatment lasts shorter, conventional orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign (transparent trays)?

The duration of treatment depends on the case.  However, since computer technology is used in Invisalign treatment, no force is applied to any unwanted area of the mouth. Since it is used for mild and moderate crowding, the duration of Invisalign treatment can be relatively shorter than the conventional orthodontic treatment.
However, as we have observed in our patients, patients who get Invisalign treatment do not have any concerns regarding when the treatment will be over.

Is the cost of Invisalign treatment high?

It is an expensive method compared to conventional orthodontic treatment with braces, because it is not noticeable at all. The cost of Invisalign treatment changes between 7,150 Turkish Liras and 21,300 Turkish Liras. 

Can I start the Invisalign treatment right away?

It may take 1 to 1.5 months for your impressions to be sent the laboratory abroad, to create your treatment plan online, to produce Invisalign trays, and to clear your trays through customs. Although this period seems to be a loss of time, when your treatment will end (including this period) is determined at the very beginning of the treatment.

Does any preparation need to be made before my Invisalign treatment?

Yes. Before starting the Invisalign treatment, all cavities should be removed, all tartar should be cleaned, and all oral care processes should be completed. Depending on the condition, your dentist may request the extraction of your wisdom teeth before Invisalign treatment.  No operation is done in the mouth after the impression is taken.  Prosthetic operations such as bridges and implants are done after the Invisalign treatment is completed.

Do the plastic material used in Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A?

Invisalign aligners absolutely do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalates, which are used in the production of baby bottles and plastic bottles and banned by Canada, USA, and the European Union because they cause several health problems.  Therefore, you can safely receive the Invisalign treatment in any period of your life, including pregnancy and lactation.

Will there be any additional procedures after my Invisalign treatment is completed?

After your Invisalign treatment is completed, very thin fixing wires called “retainer” are attached to inside of your teeth (done after all orthodontic treatments). This thin wire is definitely not noticeable from the outside. They are used to prevent any relapse or retreat. Your orthodontist will inform you about how long you will use them.

Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign Treatment

Can the Invisalign treatment start immediately?

Before starting the Invisalign treatment, all cavities in your mouth that have the potential of causing problems within one year must be removed. In addition, in some cases, the extraction of the wisdom teeth may be necessary.

When will my Invisalign trays (aligners) arrive?

Your Invisalign trays are delivered to our clinics 1.5 months after the impression of your mouth is taken via 3D scanning. 

Does the impression-taking via 3D scanning instead of conventional methods facilitate the delivery process of my Invisalign trays to Turkey?

The impressions taken using the 3D (digital) scanning are sent to the laboratory in the USA on the same day. Processes such as creating the treatment plan, as well as the production of the aligners and their clearance through customs may extend the pre-treatment period. If the impression is taken by digital scanning, it takes an average of 1 month for your Invisalign trays to arrive.

Will I receive the simulation of my Invisalign treatment?

Yes. You will receive 2 e-mails. One of them will contain a link and the other will contain a code. When you click on the link and enter the code previously sent to you, you will be able to view your 3D treatment plan anytime and anywhere on your mobile phone.

Will the Invisalign trays discolor because of excessive consumption of coffee, tea, or cigarettes?

Although drinking coffee and tea may cause little changes in the color of the Invisalign trays, smoking causes trays to discolor. However, since the trays are changed every 15 days, the treatment will continue with clean new trays every 15 days. 

What other types of foods or drinks will discolor my Invisalign trays?

Curry sauce, mustard, red wine, cherry juice, tobacco products, coffee, and tea can discolor your Invisalign trays. 

How to care for Invisalign trays?

To clean your aligners, simply brush them under running warm water.  In addition, you can care for your aligners with Corega tablets (denture cleaning tablets).

How long should I wear Invisalign trays per day?

You should wear your Invisalign trays for an average of 20-22 hours a day. Basically, you will be removing them only while eating. Only in important circumstances such as meetings or wedding ceremonies can you remove them for an extra 2 to 3 hours.

Can I wear my Invisalign trays only at night?

You need to wear your Invisalign trays for an average of 20-22 hours a day. Constant force is needed in order for your teeth to move. Therefore, if aligners are worn only at night, they will not produce the desired results at the end of the treatment process.

Can I wear my Invisalign aligners while swimming or doing sports?

Of course you can. In Invisalign treatment, you receive your orthodontic treatment without sacrificing your daily activities.

Will Invisalign trays affect my speaking?

Most of our patients have not had such a complaint. However, some of our patients' tongues may occasionally be stuck to the point of junction of the teeth and gum parts of the trays. This stops happening in 1 week at most.

Is Invisalign a clear-aligner treatment?

Yes, Invisalign is a clear-aligner treatment. Invisalign is actually a brand. It is the first company in the world to perform orthodontic treatment with transparent trays. 

Is Invisalign safe?

More than 4,000,000 people around the world have received the Invisalign treatment. This number increases every day. You can see the details at www.invisalign.com.

Can any dentist perform Invisalign treatment?

Dentists must first obtain a certificate in order to perform the Invisalign treatment. Invisalign treatment must be performed by an orthodontist. You can find a list of orthodontics specialists who can perform the Invisalign treatment in Turkey at https://www.invisalign.com.tr/find-a-practitioner.

Will the attachments (small tooth-colored dots attached to the teeth during the Invisalign treatment) remain until the end of the treatment?

Yes, these attachments usually remain on your teeth throughout the treatment. Some attachments may be relocated during the treatment.  When your treatment is completed, all of these attachments are removed from the surface of your teeth.

Will any extra appliances be applied other than the attachments placed on my teeth during the Invisalign treatment?

Under normal conditions, we do not use any appliances other than the attachments of Invisalign treatment.  However, in some severe cases, removable rubber bands can be used only at night. In addition, in severe cases, miniscrew systems can be applied during the Invisalign treatment. All these procedures will be explained to you in detail by your orthodontist after your first examination.

There are some inscriptions on my Invisalign trays, what do they mean?

On one side of the Invisalign trays are your patient code number and the Invisalign logo. On the other side, if the tray is for the upper teeth the letter "U" and if the tray is for the lower teeth the letter "L" is inscribed next to your aligner number. For example, "U25" is inscribed to the upper teeth tray numbered 25, or "L15" is inscribed to the lower teeth tray numbered 15.

I have lost my current aligners what should I do?

If the aligner you have been currently using, for example, the aligner number 15, is lost, simply wear the aligner number 14, the passive aligner, you are keeping in your red container. You will need to continue wearing your passive trays for an average of 20 hours a day as well. 

Author of the Article: Dr. Cihan Çapan