Crooked Teeth Treatment with Clear Aligners: Orthodontic Treatment Without Braces

What Is Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign treatment is a type of orthodontic treatment that aims to align teeth without using traditional braces. This method uses clear aligners custom-made for the patient's dental structure. The aligners are individually designed based on measurements obtained through digital orthodontic technology, and each set is planned to gradually move the teeth toward their intended positions. The absence of traditional metal brackets and wires has made this treatment a frequently preferred option, particularly among patients with aesthetic concerns.

Invisalign can be used to address various orthodontic problems, including crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, and mild to moderate bite irregularities. Since the clear aligners used during treatment are removable, patients may be able to maintain much of their daily routine while eating, drinking, and performing oral hygiene. As the suitability and scope of treatment may vary depending on the individual's oral structure, the process must be evaluated by an orthodontist.

What Are the Features of Invisalign Treatment?

• It generally does not interfere with daily life and provides treatment for crowded teeth without traditional braces.

• Clear aligners are virtually invisible inside the mouth.

• Clear aligners can be removed while eating or drinking.

• You can remove your aligners for special occasions (weddings, graduations, business meetings, etc.) and take a break from treatment for a few hours.

• Invisalign (clear aligner treatment) can be used for both teenagers and adults.

• No metal brackets or wires are used.

• Intraoral scanners can provide a preliminary visualization of the expected treatment outcome.

How Do Teeth Move Without Braces?

In Invisalign treatment, tooth movement is achieved through custom-made clear aligners rather than traditional wires and brackets. These aligners are produced as a sequential series designed to move the teeth toward their final positions as determined in the treatment plan. Each aligner applies controlled pressure to the teeth, gradually guiding them in the intended direction. This principle of gradual movement allows orthodontic correction without traditional braces.

The Principle of Gradual Movement

Each clear aligner is designed to produce approximately 0.2 mm of tooth movement. This small-scale movement allows the teeth and surrounding tissues to adapt to the process. Although the differences between individual aligners are fractions of a millimeter, the cumulative movement throughout the series can result in noticeable correction by the end of treatment.

Aligner Replacement Process

During treatment, each aligner is typically worn for 7–14 days before progressing to the next one. Each new aligner continues from where the previous one left off, moving the teeth another step forward. Following the aligner replacement schedule and the instructions provided by your orthodontist is important for treatment to progress as planned.

How Are Clear Aligners Produced According to Tooth Movement?

• Your orthodontist takes impressions of your teeth.

• The impressions are transferred to a computer environment using a three-dimensional scanning method known as the CAD-CAM system.

• The teeth transferred into the virtual environment are moved using computer simulation.

• Clear aligners are produced according to each 0.05 mm movement.

How Many Hours a Day Should Clear Aligners Be Worn?

Daily wear time: Invisalign aligners are generally recommended to be worn for approximately 20–22 hours per day. This helps maintain the continuous pressure required for the teeth to move in the planned direction.

Eating and drinking: It is recommended to remove the aligners when eating. Cleaning your teeth and reinserting the aligners after meals is important for both oral hygiene and treatment continuity.

Special occasions and events: Aligners may be removed during special events such as weddings and invitations. However, doing so frequently may reduce the total daily wear time and negatively affect treatment progress.

Be careful with hot beverages: Room-temperature or cool beverages may be consumed while wearing aligners. However, it is recommended to remove them when drinking hot beverages such as tea or coffee, as high temperatures can deform their thermoplastic material.

Importance of consistent wear: Achieving the planned results within the expected treatment period depends on wearing the aligners regularly for the recommended number of hours. Inconsistent wear may extend the treatment duration.

Will I Be Able to See the Expected Result Before Starting Invisalign Treatment?

Before Invisalign treatment begins, a personalized treatment plan is created using digital scanning data. This plan allows the intended final position of the teeth to be visualized through a three-dimensional simulation. Patients can review the potential outcome on a screen and discuss it with their orthodontist before starting treatment.

In addition to the expected final result, the simulation can also display how the teeth are planned to move step by step throughout treatment. This visualization may help patients understand the process in advance. However, the simulated result is only an estimate, and the actual treatment outcome may vary depending on aligner compliance, oral anatomy, and other factors during treatment.

Can Everyone Receive Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment Without Braces?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that can be used for adults, teenagers, and children. However, whether you are a suitable candidate can only be determined after an examination by your orthodontist.

Mild to moderate dental crowding, as well as certain orthodontic cases requiring tooth extraction, may also be treated with Invisalign. Only your orthodontist can determine whether extraction-based treatment with Invisalign is appropriate.

Is Invisalign Treatment Suitable for Children?

Your child should have lost all their primary teeth, and at least the second permanent molars should have partially erupted. This generally corresponds to approximately 12–14 years of age.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Invisalign First page.

How Often Are Checkups Scheduled During Invisalign Treatment?

Checkups are generally scheduled once a month. At each appointment, patients receive two new clear aligners. The aligners are replaced every 15 days. For example, if 20 aligners are produced for your treatment, the total treatment period would be approximately 10 months.

If you are traveling from another city or country for treatment, a different appointment schedule may be arranged between you and your orthodontist.

How Should Invisalign Aligners Be Cleaned and Maintained?

Regular cleaning is important to ensure the hygienic use of Invisalign aligners. Every morning and evening, the aligners can be removed and gently cleaned under lukewarm running water using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hot water should be avoided, as high temperatures may deform their thermoplastic structure.

In addition to brushing, denture-cleaning tablets may also be used for aligner maintenance. The aligners can be soaked in the cleaning solution for the specified period to help remove accumulated bacteria and odors.

After meals, brushing your teeth—or at least rinsing your mouth with water—before reinserting the aligners can help maintain both aligner cleanliness and oral hygiene.

When not being worn, aligners should be stored in their protective case. Leaving them exposed may increase the risks of contamination, loss, or damage.

Is Treatment Faster with Traditional Braces or Invisalign (Clear Aligners)?

Treatment duration varies depending on the individual case. Since Invisalign treatment uses computer-based technology, pressure is not applied to areas where tooth movement is not intended.

Because Invisalign is often used for mild to moderate crowding, treatment may be shorter than conventional orthodontic treatment in some patients. However, the duration varies from person to person.

Can I Start Invisalign Treatment Immediately?

Sending your dental impressions abroad, preparing your treatment plan through the online system, manufacturing the Invisalign aligners, and delivering them to the clinic may take approximately 1–1.5 months.

Although this waiting period may seem like a disadvantage, the intended treatment outcome is planned from the beginning.

Is Any Preparation Required Before Invisalign Treatment?

Before starting Invisalign treatment for crowded teeth:

• Any existing tooth decay must be treated.

• Dental calculus must be removed (Dentgroup Total Care).

Depending on your condition, your orthodontist may sometimes recommend removing wisdom teeth before Invisalign treatment.

After the impressions have been taken, no additional dental procedures are performed. Prosthetic procedures such as bridges and implants are carried out after Invisalign treatment is completed.

Are Any Additional Procedures Performed After Invisalign Treatment?

After Invisalign treatment is completed—as with all orthodontic treatments—fixed retaining wires, known as retainers, are attached to the inner surfaces of the teeth to help prevent unwanted movement or relapse.

These retainers are not visible from the outside. Your orthodontist determines how long they should remain in place according to your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign Treatment

Does Invisalign Treatment Cause Pain?

For teeth to move, a certain amount of pressure must be applied. Feeling pressure when you wear clear aligners for the first time is normal and expected.

It is also normal to experience a feeling of pressure for 1–2 days after each aligner change.

Does Invisalign Treatment Affect Speech?

After an initial adjustment period of 1–2 days, Invisalign generally does not affect speech.

If you need to speak for an extended period during a meeting, you may remove your Invisalign aligners for 1–2 hours.

Does Smoking Cause Clear Aligners to Turn Yellow?

If you smoke heavily, your clear aligners may become more yellow over time compared with those of someone who does not smoke.

However, since Invisalign aligners are replaced every 15 days, this discoloration is generally not excessive.

What Other Drinks or Foods Can Stain Invisalign Aligners?

Curry sauce, mustard, red wine, sour cherry juice, tobacco products, coffee, and tea may discolor your Invisalign aligners.

Can I Wear Invisalign Aligners Only at Night?

Continuous pressure is required for the teeth to move. Therefore, wearing clear aligners only at night will not allow your treatment to achieve the desired results.

Can I Wear Invisalign Aligners While Swimming or Exercising?

Invisalign treatment allows you to continue your orthodontic treatment during everyday activities.

Will I Have Access to My Invisalign Treatment Simulation?

Patients receive two emails containing a link and an access code.

By clicking the link and entering the code provided in the separate email, you can view and follow your three-dimensional treatment plan on your mobile phone.

What Materials Are Used to Manufacture Invisalign Aligners?

Invisalign aligners do not contain Bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, substances associated with various health concerns and subject to restrictions in Canada, the United States, and the European Union.

Therefore, Invisalign clear aligner treatment can also be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and similar circumstances.

Will Attachments (Small Tooth-Colored Projections Bonded to the Teeth During Invisalign Treatment) Remain Until the End of Treatment?

Yes. These attachments generally remain on the teeth from the beginning until the end of treatment.

Some attachments may be repositioned during treatment. Once treatment is completed, all attachments are removed from the tooth surfaces.

Will I Need Any Additional Appliances Besides Attachments During Invisalign Treatment?

Under normal circumstances, Invisalign patients do not need any additional appliances beyond attachments.

However, in some complex cases, removable elastics that are worn only at night may be used. In more severe cases, temporary anchorage devices, also known as mini-screws, may be used during Invisalign treatment.

Your orthodontist will explain all necessary procedures in detail following your initial examination.

I Lost the Clear Aligner I Am Currently Wearing. What Should I Do?

For example, if you lose aligner number 15, which you are currently wearing, you can wear the previous passive aligner, number 14, stored in your red aligner case until you see your orthodontist.

You should continue wearing the previous aligner for approximately 20–22 hours per day.

Will Taking Digital 3D Impressions Instead of Conventional Impressions Speed Up the Delivery of My Invisalign Aligners to Türkiye?

Impressions obtained through digital or three-dimensional scanning are transferred to the United States through the online system on the same day.

However, processes such as preparing the treatment plan, manufacturing the aligners, and customs clearance may extend the overall delivery time.

When digital scanning is used, the average delivery time for Invisalign aligners is approximately one month.

There Are Some Letters and Numbers on My Invisalign Aligners. What Do They Mean?

One side of your Invisalign aligner displays your patient identification number and the Invisalign logo.

The other side displays the letter "U" for the upper jaw or "L" for the lower jaw, followed by the aligner number.

For example, U25 indicates upper aligner number 25, while L15 indicates lower aligner number 15.

Can Any Dentist Provide Invisalign Treatment?

Dentists must first obtain the necessary certification to provide Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign treatment should be performed by an orthodontic specialist.

Article Written By: Orthodontic Specialist Dr. Cihan Çapan

This page is intended for informational purposes only.

You should always consult your dentist for diagnosis and treatment.