Alex, Invisalign Patient
Happy Invisalign Patient
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, very few people have perfectly straight teeth. Almost everyone has some type and severity of malocclusion such as:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- Gapped teeth
- Crooked teeth
For many, the malocclusion is very mild and requires no treatment. However, in some cases, the malocclusion causes other problems and needs to be addressed.
In the past, the primary treatment option for these issues was traditional braces, which require brackets and wires to be placed on teeth. This treatment can be painful and unsightly.
In the late 1990s, Invisalign clear aligners were introduced to the market as an alternative for treating these issues discreetly.
Rainier Avenue Dental in Seattle has been named as a Platinum Provider for 2023. Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign treatment
What are Invisalign aligners?
How does Invisalign work?

The dentist will start by performing a comprehensive examination including x-rays and a digital scan of your bite. This will determine the type and severity of your malocclusion. This information will be used to create a personalized treatment plan. The digital scan can show you exactly what you can expect with treatment.
Treatment with Invisalign consists of several aligners that should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. They should be removed when you eat, drink, or oral hygiene. Depending on your treatment plan, you will switch to a new set every 1 to 3 weeks. You may be able to expedite treatment by wearing the aligners for at least 22 hours a day.
You will need to visit the dentist every few aligners to ensure that you are progressing as expected. If you are not, adjustments to your treatment plan can include adding additional aligners, using attachments/buttons, rubber bands, and more.
At the end of your treatment, you will be given a retainer. This will keep the teeth in their new position. You will need to wear it for 20 to 22 hours a day at first, but eventually, you will transition to only wearing it while you sleep. This gives the jawbone time to heal around the teeth to secure them in their new position.
Invisalign Cost and Benefits
In the past, many dental insurance providers classified this as a cosmetic dental procedure. Now, many of them are seeing the benefits and are recognizing it as a valid restorative dental procedure. Therefore, many times Invisalign treatment is covered. If not, we do offer financing options.
However, Invisalign offers many benefits over traditional braces, including:
Faster Treatment
Discreet
Comfortable
Convenient
No Food Restrictions
Invisalign Before and After
Invisalign clear aligners can resolve these malocclusions, with can improve all of these areas.
Invisalign vs Braces
Invisalign | Traditional Braces |
Aligners are made from a smooth, thermoplastic material | Metal brackets are placed on teeth with an archwire running between them |
Aligners are designed to put even pressure on teeth to gently and gradually shift them into place. As teeth move, a new aligner is put in. | The archwire puts pressure on teeth to shift them into place. As teeth move, the archwire is tightened. |
Treatment takes an average of 12 to 18 months, up to 24 months with more severe conditions | Treatment takes an average of 12 to 24 months, up to 36 months with more severe conditions |
Treatment costs range from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on how many aligners you need and how long treatment should take | The average treatment cost is around $5,000 but may vary depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion |
Aligners should be removed for eating and drinking, so there are no food restrictions | Brackets and wires can be damaged by foods that are sticky, hard, crunchy, or tough- so you must give many of those up |
Invisalign
Aligners are made from a smooth, thermoplastic material
Aligners are designed to put even pressure on teeth to gently and gradually shift them into place. As teeth move, a new aligner is put in.
Treatment takes an average of 12 to 18 months, up to 24 months with more severe conditions
Treatment costs range from $1,500 to $8,000 depending on how many aligners you need and how long treatment should take
Aligners should be removed for eating and drinking, so there are no food restrictions
Traditional Braces
Metal brackets are placed on teeth with an archwire running between them
The archwire puts pressure on teeth to shift them into place. As teeth move, the archwire is tightened.
Treatment takes an average of 12 to 24 months, up to 36 months with more severe conditions
The average treatment cost is around $5,000 but may vary depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion
Brackets and wires can be damaged by foods that are sticky, hard, crunchy, or tough- so you must give many of those up
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign Alternatives
Invisalign is considered an in-office treatment. This is because, while you switch out the aligners yourself, you have a dentist that is supervising your treatment progress. While recommended for mild to moderate malocclusions, Invisalign can also be used to treat more severe conditions with the addition of attachments and rubber bands.
At-home options include Byte and SmileDirectClub. These at-home options are direct-to-consumer, which means you order a kit, follow the directions to make your impressions, and send the back so that your aligners can be fabricated.
The at-home options are often much cheaper because the treatment is primarily self-directed. You don’t have a dentist who can supervise your treatment progress. This may work well for very mild to mild malocclusions but isn’t as effective for moderate to severe conditions.
Invisalign Options
Invisalign Attachments
Invisalign Rubber Bands
Invisalign Chewies
In addition, they also may improve blood flow to your gums, which can help reduce the discomfort that comes with the shifting of your teeth. There is also some indication that it may help expedite the process.
Invisalign Retainer
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation with Rainier Avenue Dental Today

Invisalign offers a variety of benefits over traditional orthodontic treatments, including comfort, visibility, convenience, and more.
We are located on Rainier Avenue South in Seattle. We are open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We accept walk-in patients on Mondays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Fridays are reserved for appointments only. We are available at any time for dental emergencies.


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The Invisalign Treatment Process
Invisalign clear aligners from Rainier Ave Dental offer a convenient treatment process for straightening your smile with fewer hassles than traditional braces.
STEP 1
Book Your First Complimentary
Consultation/ Discuss Your Goals
We will begin by examining your smile to determine if
Invisalign is right for you. Next, we will use a digital scanner to create a 3D image of your smile and what it could be like with Invisalign treatment. Our digital scan technology shows you what your new smile can look like…in real time.
STEP 2
Develop an Individually Customized
Treatment Plan
Based on the decisions made in your first appointment, we will map out a precise Invisalign treatment plan with timelines. Your plan will include the exact movement of your teeth that will occur with each set of aligners and customized to give you the smile of your dreams.
STEP 3
Start Your Treatment Plan
We will produce series of custom Invisalign clear aligners just for you. You will wear them each day, removing them to eat, drink, brush and floss. As your treatment progresses, your aligners will gradually begin to shift your teeth.
STEP 4
Switch Your Aligners
Every Two Weeks
Approximately every 2 weeks, you will switch to the next set of clear aligners. You will also have brief checkups with your dental team – every six weeks or so – to review your progress. Fewer Check-ups & Appointments With Invisalign (vs. braces), you’ll spend less time in our office during treatment.
STEP 5
Maintain Your
Brand New Smile
It’s an exciting day when you reach the end of your treatment! During your final appointment, we will discuss next steps with you, and prescribe retainers to keep your teeth in their new positions.
Ready for Your New Smile?
Take our Invisalign Smile Assessment.
Complete our 30 second Smile Assessment to see if Invisalign might be a fit for you.