Invisalign® aligners

Invisalign aligners are the most popular brand of aligner therapy used to straighten smiles in orthodontics. Invisalign aligners are essentially a series of clear aligners that fit your teeth very tightly, with each Invisalign aligner designed by your dentist to be slightly straighter than the last. Slowly and safely, Invisalign will move your teeth into proper alignment without any need for braces.

Invisalign aligners are a fantastic choice if you want your teeth straight, but do not want the feeling of metal braces in your mouth. It’s extremely easy to get used to Invisalign aligners, as the clear aligners are very comfortable and you can remove them anytime you want to eat or brush your teeth.

At Tend, Invisalign aligners cost $5,985. That’s significantly less expensive than at other top dentist and orthodontist offices that offer Invisalign aligners, and you get all of the benefits of Tend. Tend makes straightening your teeth with Invisalign aligners a pleasure with top-rated dentists and orthodontists, beautiful, modern studios, state-of-the-art technology, and no judgment ever. If you’re already a Tend member, you also get the benefit of straightening your teeth with the same team that already knows your mouth so well—no traveling from one office to another and coordinating your oral care with multiple doctors.

Some dental insurance plans do cover Invisalign aligners and other orthodontic treatments. To check if your dental insurance has orthodontic benefits that cover Invisalign aligners, give us a call and we’ll let you know if you’re covered.

At Tend, there are two ways to pay for Invisalign aligners. You can pay for Invisalign aligners all at once. Or you may qualify for flexible monthly payments from Affirm.

Yes! Invisalign aligners are an HSA- and FSA-eligible expense. So you can pay for Invisalign aligners with pre-tax dollars.

Yes! Invisalign aligners are incredibly effective and will perfectly straighten teeth. While Invisalign aligners aren’t right for every orthodontic situation, they are a great choice for most smiles. For more severe cases that Invisalign aligners cannot be used for, we recommend Breezy Braces, which go behind your teeth and are far less disruptive than traditional metal braces while delivering outstanding results. There are some cases that Breezy Braces are not right for either. If you fall into that category, don’t worry: we will ensure that we find the best solution for your smile.

With any orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign aligners, your teeth will feel sore while they’re actively moving. With Invisalign aligners, your teeth will be in active movement mode over the first 3-5 days after switching to a new set of Invisalign aligners. After that, you will finish wearing your Invisalign aligners until your dentist has instructed you to switch to the next Invisalign aligner set, while your teeth rest and settle into place in passive mode.

The process of getting Invisalign aligners is very easy. It starts with a digital scan of your teeth and bite at your consultation. That scan is sent, along with some photos and an x-ray, to an Invisalign fabrication lab, where your dentist will instruct the Invisalign technicians there precisely how each of your Invisalign aligners should be made according to their prescription for you.

Once the Invisalign aligners are shipped to Tend, your orthodontic team may glue a few tooth-colored attachments to your teeth that act as special grips for your Invisalign aligners. They may also polish between some of your teeth. This creates a tiny amount of space that no one will ever notice and helps move your teeth into their planned positions. The polishing process may feel (and sound) a little strange. But it only takes a few seconds, and it will make your treatment quicker and easier.

The team will then show you how to put your Invisalign aligners in and take them out, as well as the best ways to care of them.

Over the next few months you will see your smile transforming, getting straighter and straighter each week. Once you’ve reached your last set of Invisalign aligners, your smile will be perfect, and your dentist will remove any attachments. They will provide you with a set of clear Invisalign retainers, very similar to your Invisalign aligners, that you’ll wear while you sleep at night, keeping your teeth in their perfect position forever.

The average length of treatment with Invisalign aligners is 6-15 months, but every smile is different. At your consult, your dentist will show you what movements your teeth will need to align to perfection and let you know exactly how long your Invisalign aligners will take.

The results of Invisalign aligners last forever—as long as you wear your retainers!

Once you have Invisalign aligners, you should wear your aligners day and night, taking them out only to eat, drink, and brush. Your Invisalign aligners should be in for at least 22 hours per day.

Drinking water with your Invisalign aligners in is completely fine, but you should remove your aligners before consuming anything else. Eating or drinking with your Invisalign aligners in could cause cavities and stain your aligners, making them far more visible!

When your Invisalign aligners aren’t in your mouth, place them in their case. Setting your Invisalign aligners on a surface or wrapping them in a napkin often goes awry: they get knocked on the floor, pets nab them, or they get thrown out by accident. (Trust us!)

Invisalign aligners and Breezy Braces are both excellent ways to straighten your teeth.

Invisalign aligners are removable. You can take your Invisalign aligners out and eat whatever you want. Invisalign aligners have an easier transition. There are fewer speech disruptions with Invisalign aligners and a faster adjustment period when you begin treatment. Invisalign aligners also require fewer in-person visits. Invisalign aligners also require less adjusting when you see your dentist or orthodontist.

Breezy Braces, like Invisalign aligners, are hidden, but even more so because they’re placed behind the teeth. Breezy Braces are very hands off. There’s nothing for you to do with Breezy Braces—just come to your visits. Breezy Braces also have particularly fast results. There’s visible movement in as little as 2 weeks, and treatment finishes fast.

Unlike Breezy Braces, Invisalign aligners are not completely hidden. While Invisalign aligners are clear, they can sometimes be seen when they’re in, and the attachments that hold them in place can be visible. You have to wear Invisalign aligners or they won’t work. If you don’t keep Invisalign aligners in for 22 hours per day, treatment is delayed. Invisalign aligners are fast, but they aren’t quite as fast as Breezy Braces.

Breezy Braces have a more difficult transition period. Speech is more affected in the first month with Breezy Braces because the bracket can get in the way of the tongue. There’s more initial discomfort with Breezy Braces. Breezy Braces can also require “bite bumpers,” which can feel disruptive. Breezy Braces have more eating restrictions. Brackets can pop off if you don’t avoid hard and chewy foods with Breezy Braces.

Invisalign can straighten most smiles, from mild to moderate cases. Breezy Braces can straighten almost any smile, from mild to severe cases.

If you’re not sure whether Invisalign aligners or Breezy Braces are best for you, at your initial consult your dentist or orthodontist will talk you through both options and help you make the best decision for your lifestyle and your smile.