The fact that Invisalign is clear is often the number one reason teens and adults choose it over regular braces. When people come to our office to ask about clear Invisalign, they want to straighten their teeth without anyone knowing they’re getting braces. We get it because how you look is important, especially if you work in a professional setting or just feel self conscious about having braces that are easy to see.
SmartTrack is a special smooth plastic that the aligners are made of. It’s meant to be almost invisible when worn. Invisalign aligners fit tightly over your teeth and blend in naturally, unlike metal braces with brackets and wires that are visible right away. People won’t notice you’re wearing them unless they look closely at your teeth. A lot of times, friends and coworkers who see you every day don’t even know you’re in treatment unless you tell them.
The aligners are clear because they’re made of high quality plastic. This plastic is completely clear not just slightly clear which makes a big difference in how visible they are. The aligners move with your teeth when you smile, talk or laugh and don’t make any visual noise. Adults who don’t like the teenage look that metal braces give off might find this discreet style very important. At Marrecau Orthodontics we’ve noticed that the fact that Invisalign is clear makes our patients feel more confident during treatment. Many adults say they smile more freely during their treatment because they don’t care how they look. Many adult patients with traditional braces say they feel self conscious in professional or social situations. This is very different from what we hear from them.
Patients worry that the aligners will turn yellow or brown during treatment and be visible. The good news is that if you take care of them properly your aligners should stay clear the whole time you wear each set. You get a new pair of aligners every week or two so any small stains that do happen won’t last long. During your treatment you’ll get a new, completely clear set of aligners on a regular basis.
There are some easy things you can do to keep your aligners clear. You need to take them out before you eat or drink anything other than water. If you drink coffee, tea, red wine or other coloured drinks while wearing your aligners they may stain the plastic. Smoking can also quickly change the colour of the aligners. We recommend you take your aligners out when you eat and put them back in when you brush your teeth.
Cleaning your aligners the right way also keeps them clear. Rinsing them with warm water and brushing them gently with a soft toothbrush will keep them clear and fresh. Don’t use hot water because it can change the shape of the plastic and make them fit differently. Some people use special cleaning crystals made for clear aligners but brushing them gently usually does the trick.
In pictures and movies the clear benefit of Invisalign becomes even more clear. There’s no metal in your smile so wedding photos, professional headshots and family portraits all look natural. This is a big value for Parkland patients who have big events coming up or who are often photographed for work.
Teenagers especially love how easy it is to see Invisalign. Some kids don’t mind wearing traditional braces while others feel embarrassed about having metal in their mouth when they’re already self conscious. Clear aligners let kids get a better smile without having to worry about how they look as most teens do. Some people worry that the small attachments that are sometimes placed on teeth during Invisalign treatment will be visible but these are usually the same colour as the teeth and blend in very well. The attachments are little bumps made of composite material that help the aligners grip your teeth better when you move them. If someone looks closely they can see them but they are much less noticeable than metal brackets.
The whole clear look of Invisalign goes beyond just the aligners. There’s no metal to reflect light, no brackets to collect food and nothing that affects the way you look while you’re in treatment. You still look like yourself but your teeth are covered in a barely detectable improvement. Many Parkland patients choose clear orthodontic treatment because they want their teeth to look natural. Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, corrects severe jaw or bite issues that braces alone cannot fix. This treatment enhances both function and appearance, creating long-term improvements in your smile and facial balance.