Invisalign FAQs

Aligners are clear and practically invisible. This is why they are often referred to as “clear braces”. They look similar to a clear tooth-whitening trays. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Invisalign aligners are custom-fit to your mouth for comfort and optimal teeth-straightening results.

While Invisalign moves your teeth without the pain and anxiety metal braces can cause, some people experience temporary discomfort for a few days at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. It is also a sign that Invisalign is working, as it moves your teeth to their final destination. This discomfort typically goes away in a couple of days.

Similar to other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp caused by the aligners should disappear.

We find that aligners are most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and removed only for eating, brushing and flossing.

Invisalign only works while you are wearing the aligners. It is recommended that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night, except to eat, brush and floss your teeth.

No. The aligners must be in place a minimum of 20 to 22 hours a day for the treatment to be effective.

Orthodontics Limited has been awarded Invisalign Top 1% Elite Provider status for seven years straight and is the only Invisalign Diamond+ orthodontists in the Philadelphia and Montgomery County, PA area. They have been consistently recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the top Philadelphia orthodontists in the area.

Whether you’re a teen or an adult, no matter what stage you’re at in life, you’ll appreciate how the Invisalign treatment has minimal interference in how you live, but has a significant positive impact on how you look and feel about yourself. From mild cases of crooked teeth and protruding teeth, to much more difficult dental problems involving serious malocclusion, overbite, or underbite, Invisalign effectively corrects a wide variety of dental problems. Whether your teeth are widely gapped, overly crowded, or somewhere in between, we have an affordable orthodontic option for you.

Cost is always a concern but is determined by several factors. In most cases, Invisalign treatment is comparable to the cost of traditional braces. However, as with other medical treatments, only an Invisalign-trained doctor can determine the cost, based on your specific needs. Other factors may include your treatment goals, the difficulty of your case, how long you are in treatment, and other factors determined by Dr. Bartley or Dr. Fontanez. Also, check your dental insurance plan—Invisalign treatment is covered by many dental insurance policies. And many doctors can offer flexible and affordable monthly payment plans as well.

Because insurance benefits differ significantly from policy to policy, you should review your personal coverage plan. However, in general, if a patient has orthodontic coverage, Invisalign should be covered to the same extent as conventional braces.

Yes. By the Invisalign patented thermoplastic design, Invisalign braces move your teeth through the proper placement of controlled force. The main difference is that Invisalign not only controls the force, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth can move. These movements are determined by Dr. Bartley or Dr. Fontanez as they map out your unique Invisalign treatment plan.