Invisalign Canada Review

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that serve as a discrete and convenient alternative to braces. Clear aligners are transparent plastic trays that apply gentle pressure to slowly reposition teeth. 

Since its introduction in 1998, Invisalign has treated 12 million people, becoming the world’s leading clear aligner brand.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Here’s how Invisalign works:

1. Invisalign treatment begins with a (usually free) in-person consultation with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist. During this consultation, the dental professional will digitally scan your teeth. 
2. Next, they’ll design a personalized treatment plan for you. This involves a series of clear aligners based on both your current and desired teeth alignment. Over time, these aligners slowly move your teeth into their correct positions.
3. You’ll wear your Invisalign aligners for 22+ hours per day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, or floss. The aligners will straighten your teeth by 0.25 to 0.3 millimeters every 2 weeks^.6
4. After two weeks, you’ll return to your dentist or orthodontist for a check-up appointment. They’ll review your treatment progress, and you’ll receive your remaining sets of Invisalign aligners. 
5. After that, appointments are every 6 to 8 weeks, and you’ll continue switching your aligners every 2 weeks.
6. After treatment ends, you’ll wear a retainer at night to keep your teeth straight.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Here are some pros and cons of getting Invisalign headers:

Pros

• Well-established clear aligner brand
• Can fix a large variety of teeth alignment issues
• Discrete
• Removable
• Oral hygiene is easier than with braces
• No food restrictions
• Fewer appointments than with braces

Cons

• Can’t fix as many issues as braces
• Can be expensive
• Aligners being removable means treatment effectiveness depends on the patient wearing them

What Orthodontic Issues Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign is an effective treatment for many mild-to-severe cases of teeth misalignment.

These include:

• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth 
• Gapped teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Open bites 

Invisalign’s treatment time ranges between 12 and 18 months. For minor issues, treatment may be as short as 3 months. A more severe issue, or a combination of issues, may make treatment take longer.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign’s cost varies according to treatment length, where you live, and your treatment provider. 

The average cost of Invisalign in Canada ranges between $2,000 and $8,000. Many dentists and orthodontists offer payment plans to finance treatment. Some are even interest-free.

Is Invisalign Covered by Insurance?

Dental care is not covered by Canadian Medicare. Instead, the majority of dental and orthodontic treatments are paid with private insurance or out-of-pocket.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, private insurers will generally pay for 50% of dental and orthodontic expenses.²

Invisalign vs. At-Home Aligners: What Are the Differences?

Aside from Invisalign, most other clear aligners in Canada are at-home aligners. There are a couple of important differences that set Invisalign apart from them.

At-Home vs. In-Office Treatment

Invisalign is an in-office aligner. This means treatment involves mandatory visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office.

At-home aligners allow treatment to be done with minimal or no visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office. This is convenient for those with minor teeth alignment problems, but Invisalign can be more precise due to having in-person treatment.

Invisalign vs ALIGNERCO

ALIGNERCO is a budget-friendly clear aligner brand. Treatment with its daytime aligners costs $1,285 and takes 4 to 6 months. 

Because treatment is monitored completely remotely, it’s a good option for minor teeth alignment issues. 

Invisalign vs SmileDirectClub (SDC)

SmileDirectClub pioneered at-home aligner treatment, first introducing the idea back in 2014. They started operating in Canada in 2018. 

Despite a lot of companies since entering the industry, SDC still has some useful features, such as:

• More payment plans than competitors, two of which are interest-free
• Physical locations in multiple Canadian cities, including Toronto and Vancouver
• Payment plans with no credit checks required

SmileDirectClub treatment costs $2,825 and takes on average 6 months. We recommend it for mild cases of teeth misalignment.

Invisalign vs NewSmile

NewSmile is a newer, Canadian-based clear aligner company that offers teeth realignment for 75% less than braces. 

It can correct mild-to-moderate teeth crowding or spacing in 4 to 6 months. A one-time payment for treatment costs $1,649.