How Invisible is Invisalign®?

However, Invisalign® aligners are not completely invisible. As long as you are interacting with people who are standing at least three or more feet away, your braces are likely to go unnoticed. On the other hand, if the person is close to you and is someone who pays close attention to detail, they might actually be able to discover your "secret." The invisibility factor of Invisalign® aligners may also be reduced in cases where you stand in direct sunlight or when you are under an intense source of artificial light. In such situations, your teeth might seem somewhat shiny. Also, you typically need tooth "attachments" to give direction to the forces of the aligner. These attachments are usually small lumps of white material that are bonded directly onto the surface of your teeth, although typically back teeth. Mostly these attachments are not visible, but in some cases they might be quite apparent and can tip-off the fact that you are wearing invisible braces.

Anyhow, you have a choice in this regard since we can tell you beforehand about whether you will need attachments that may be visible during the course of your treatment. Even though you wear aligners, your Invisalign® treatment might require use of a few rubber bands or elastics at certain stages of treatment. These elastics are secured and later stretched to anchors which are bonded onto your teeth. Depending on the location of the anchors, you might actually be able to see them. Again, you have a choice in this respect since Dr. Swift will tell you before the treatment about whether you will need the elastics or not.

Invisalign® aligners have to be taken out when you are eating. So, you have to be aware of the fact that there will be "semi-private" times when you will have to take out your aligners and "tip off" anyone nearby. If what we've just discussed makes you a little uncomfortable about Invisalign® aligners, since you may think that they are not as "invisible" as you thought they were, don't worry. Not all of the above circumstances will apply to you and besides even if they do, Invisalign® aligners offer far more invisibility than the typical metal braces that many people wear. Give it some thought and you will realize how nearly invisible Invisalign® is!

If you think yourself an Invisalign® candidate, call us at (214) 739-8888 for a free Invisalign® consultation today!