Invisalign FAQ

A: An Straight Smiles team member takes digital impressions with a miniaturized HD camera (no gagging on putty here!). Dr. Scramstad then uses these impressions to plan out your tooth movements on a computerized 3D model of your mouth. Invisalign creates custom aligners based on his specifications. The clear, plastic aligners are fabricated in a series and you wear each set for one to two weeks. They exert steady, gentle force to gradually and sequentially shift your teeth into their correct places until we achieve the results you want.

A: No. Invisalign treatment doesn’t hurt. However, when you first begin treatment or after you put in a new set of aligners, your teeth may feel a little sensitive. This just means Invisalign is working!

A: No. Smoking will stain your aligners and cause them to appear yellow, which pretty much defeats the purpose of invisible treatment!

A: Most patients visit us every four to six weeks for a quick appointment, however, the exact schedule will depend on your treatment plan. These visits let us ensure your treatment is on track.

A: The cost of treatment is based on the complexity of your case. Not time! Dr. Scramstad will evaluate your bite, take diagnostic records and create a personalized treatment plan at your consultation. This will allow him to give you an accurate price. At Straight Smiles, we believe everyone deserves to get a smile they love with the treatment of their choice. We accept the following insurance including PBC (Pacific Blue Cross) , Great West Life , Manulife, Sunlife and Greenshield.

We work with other insurance companies in addition to the ones listed. Please contact us to learn more.

A: Most of our Okanagan Valley Invisalign patients don’t notice a change in their speech. However, some people feel as if they talk with a slight lisp when they first start treatment. Once you get acclimated to having aligners in your mouth, your speech will return to normal.

A: Yes. Wearing a retainer is the only way to maintain your results for life, whether you choose braces or Invisalign. Teeth have a natural tendency to want to drift back to their old places when you’re finished treatment unless you use a retainer. The good news is, we offer thin, clear retainers for most finished smiles.

A: Nope! You’ll take your aligners out to eat and drink anything aside from water, so you can have all of your favorite foods and drinks throughout treatment.

A: The Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. They’re also removable, which means you can eat and brush and floss as you normally would. There are no brackets and wires involved so you don’t have to deal with emergency appointments and treatment is comfortable. The treatment involves precise planning on a computerized model of your mouth. You can see a simulation of what your results will look like before you get started.

A: The length of Invisalign treatment depends on a few different factors, including how severe your case is and how well you follow the directions for wearing your aligners. In general, treatment time is comparable or often shorter than treatment with traditional braces. After we’ve had a chance to assess your bite at your consultation, we can give you an accurate timeline. We also offer Propel® at our office, which may help you hit fast forward on your Invisalign treatment.

A: For the best results, you should wear your Invisalign aligners for about 22 hours per day, only taking them out to eat and brush and floss your teeth.

A: Brush your aligners with a toothbrush whenever you take them out of your mouth. We recommend using Polident FreshCleanse instead of toothpaste because it’s less abrasive. If you notice buildup on your aligners, put a Polident Retainer tablet in a glass of water and soak your aligners while they’re out of your mouth (e.g., while you’re eating dinner). Then, take them out and brush them clean.

A: To determine if Kelowna Invisalign treatment is the right choice for your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Scramstad online or by calling us at 250-762-2824. He’ll evaluate your bite and let you know if Invisalign is the ideal way to bring out the best in your smile.