If you’ve been dreaming of straighter teeth — but hesitate to try traditional braces — you aren’t out of options. Invisalign is becoming a household name as more and more people trust Invisalign aligners to transform their smile.

Even though Invisalign isn’t new (it’s been around since 1997), there are still plenty of myths that surround this orthodontic treatment. Here at Bucktown Wicker Park Dental, Dr. Evan Shin want you to feel good about your decision to try Invisalign. That’s why we’ve created this guide to sort fact from fiction.

Myth #1: Invisalign is only for teens

This is false! Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment among adults thanks to the discreet trays, but Invisalign treatment isn’t limited to adults or teens. Invisalign First® can address crowding or spacing issues in children (even as young as 6).

If your teen has Invisalign trays, you can monitor the blue progress indicators to ensure that they’re wearing the trays daily.

Myth #2: Invisalign can’t address bite issues

False! Invisalign aligners can address a variety of orthodontic issues, including:

Open bite
Cross bite
Underbite
Overbite

Invisalign can also straighten out crooked teeth and close gaps between teeth.

Myth #3: Oral care with Invisalign is easier than traditional braces

This is true! Taking care of your teeth is much easier with Invisalign treatment. Why? There are no metal brackets and wires to brush or floss around with Invisalign. You simply remove your trays and then brush and floss as normal.

There is one caveat though: You’ll need to wear your trays for 20-22 hours each day for the best results. This means you’ll need to place your trays back in your mouth after eating and brushing.

Myth #4: Invisalign trays are made from impressions

False! Before your Invisalign trays are made, you’ll need scans of your mouth. Instead of the impressions and molds, you’ll get digital scans with the state-of-the-art iTero scanner. These 3D scans lead to highly accurate images — without any need for the goopy molds!

Myth #5: You won’t know when your treatment ends

False! With Invisalign, your entire treatment plan is created just for you. When you receive your first set of aligners, we’ll send you home with your next set, too. Depending on your specific needs and treatment goals, we’ll let you know when you need to move to your next tray, but it’s usually every one to two weeks.

Invisalign treatments are up to 50% faster when compared to traditional metal braces. This means you can start seeing results in just a few weeks, with the average treatment length ranging from 12-18 months.

Myth #6: Invisalign is the same as mail-order clear trays

False! Invisalign isn’t like the mail-order orthodontic aligner systems. Invisalign is the only clear aligner system that uses SmartTrack material, which means your treatment is both effective and comfortable. Additionally, Invisalign requires no physical impressions or molds. Your 3D digital scans (which just aren’t possibly with mail-order systems) mean your trays fit perfectly, ensuring that your treatment is effective, predictable, and consistent.

In addition, you’ll benefit from Dr. Schwartz overseeing your entire treatment.

Ready to find out if Invisalign is right for you? Call Bucktown Wicker Park Dental at (773) 252-2303, or request an appointment online.