It’s a common question asked by patients, whether Invisalign truly are invisible, or if they’re simply less noticeable than traditional braces.
Invisalign is made up of a material called SmartTrack, a thermoplastic polyurethane resin, which is both biocompatible and has a clear appearance to it. It’s engineered to gently guide the teeth into position, while remaining visually subtle.
Sometimes the Smart Force attachments, which are the tooth coloured resin guides attached to the front of the teeth, add visual texture, which can make the aligner ever so slightly more apparent. Because the SmartForce and aligner are both clear is still far less visible than a metal brace.
If properly maintained and used appropriately, the aligner should blend almost seamlessly into the smile.
How to maintain your aligner so it blends in with the smile?
The key to keeping Invisalign clean and discreet is through proper use, which includes:
- Removing them every time you drink (except water)
- Removing them when you eat, this can break them by warping and staining them
- Brushing the teeth and rinsing the aligners before putting them back in, especially after eating
- Not smoking with Invisalign in
- Cleaning the aligners properly with a brush once a day to ensure no bacteria can linger
Following these steps helps prevent odour, discolouration, and damage, ensuring your aligner stays as discreet as possible.
What to do if my Invisalign become stained or damaged?
If your Invisalign has become damaged through eating or exposure to a hot drink, then you will need to contact your dentist about getting a replacement. Wearing a damaged aligner can impact the effectiveness of the aligner.
In the case the aligner has become stained, the best thing to do initially is brush with a soft-bristle brush and a bit of toothpaste. If that doesn’t work, try soaking the Invisalign in a cleaning solution like Invisalign’s cleaning crystals. They offer better results when trying to achieve cleanliness.
In the event that it still doesn’t work and the staining is very apparent, contact your dentist, and you can arrange to purchase a replacement.