The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them.

The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

When it comes to making a lasting first impression, your smile is important. In a survey conducted by Kelton Global for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 48% of adult respondents said a person’s smile is their most memorable feature after an initial encounter.

How your teeth look is important, too–survey respondents rated people with flawed smiles as less attractive (37%) and less confident (25%) than people with straighter teeth[1]Best Face Forward. American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Accessed 6/04/2022. . If you’re not happy with the appearance of your teeth, there’s good news: Invisalign, a clear aligner system, provides an alternative to traditional braces for straightening teeth and addressing structural dental concerns. Read on to learn more about the invisible orthodontic appliance system.

Pioneered 25 years ago by  Align Technology, the Invisalign system uses patented SmartTrack thermoplastic aligner material to help correct smiles. To date, more than 12.8 million people have transformed their teeth using Invisalign.

Treatment with Invisalign consists of wearing clear, removable aligners to move your teeth gradually over time. Invisalign works in the same way as traditional braces, but without the restriction of crunchy, chewy, sticky and sugar food, as the aligners must be removed before eating. What’s more, because they are nearly invisible, the aligners aren’t as noticeable as metal wires and brackets on other types of braces.

The first step in the Invisalign process is a consultation and examination with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist, says Mitra Derakhshan, D.D.S., orthodontist and senior vice president of global clinical at Align Technology. The initial examination includes photos and a 3D digital scan of the patient’s teeth. Aligners are then fabricated using 3D printing technology.

Invisalign utilizes a sequence of clear aligners, with each aligner moving the teeth a quarter of a millimeter at a time, says Marina Gonchar, D.M.D., board-certified orthodontist and owner of Skin to Smile in Morristown, New Jersey. The patient moves on to the next aligner when the movement required by the current set of aligners is achieved. A doctor may apply SmartForce attachments to your teeth before or during your Invisalign treatment, which are small, tooth-colored buttons that give your aligners leverage, acting like handles.

An advanced clear aligner system, Invisalign can be used to correct almost all types of bite problems and tooth alignment problems, says Dr. Gonchar. It’s effective in all age groups and preferred for patients who previously suffered bone and gum loss.

Doctors can address a broad range of orthodontic and restorative dentistry needs with Invisalign treatment in patients as young as six years old, says Dr. Derakhshan , including moderate to severe crowding.

Invisalign can be used in almost all cases, but braces are necessary if you have a severe overbite or underbite, a tooth that is rotated more than 20 degrees, large gaps between your teeth or intrusions/extrusions (when a tooth needs to be moved higher or lower in your mouth).

Invisalign may not be appropriate for every patient because it requires significant patient cooperation to achieve results in predictable intervals of time. Patients are required to wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, replacing them with a new set every one to two weeks, says Dr. Derakhshan .

Are invisible aligners the right option for your smile makeover? Alignerco makes at-home teeth straightening easy and affordable.

On a biological level, Invisalign and traditional braces use the same mechanism of action, says Dr. Gonchar. “Tooth movement requires bone resorption and bone deposition—the only difference between the actions of Invisalign and traditional braces is the precision of the tooth movement [that is uniquely] programmed into each clear [Invisalign] aligner,” she says.

Not only are Invisalign trays less visible than traditional braces, but the aligners can be removed while you’re eating, brushing your teeth and flossing, says Dr. Gonchar. Because traditional braces stay on your teeth for the duration of your treatment, the foods you can eat are limited, whereas there’s no restriction when wearing Invisalign (although dental hygiene, such as brushing and flossing after eating, is critical during Invisalign treatment). What’s more, pain or discomfort during treatment tends to be less severe due to the small movements made by each aligner, says Dr. Gonchar.

Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible, so people may not notice patients are wearing them, says Dr. Derakhshan , and there are no metal brackets or wires that could irritate the mouth or break.

Choosing to straighten your teeth with the Invisalign system (or traditional braces) also benefits the longevity of your natural teeth, says Lilya Horowitz, D.D.S., a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and dentist at Domino Dental in Brooklyn, New York. Straight teeth are easier to clean and don’t develop as much plaque and bacteria buildup that can lead to gum disease and eventual tooth loss, she says.

What’s more, straight teeth keep the forces of your bite balanced so that your teeth are less likely to wear down and chip over time. “All these benefits lead to maintaining your natural teeth for a long time, which is always a goal I have for my patients as a dentist,” says Dr. Horowitz.

For patients with good oral hygiene whose treatment is guided by a dentist or orthodontist, clear aligners do not pose a significant risk, says Dr. Gonchar. However, it’s essential to be evaluated by a dentist or an orthodontist before starting Invisalign treatment to avoid any unwanted consequences, such as bite problems, gum loss, bone loss and tooth loss, she adds.

Furthermore, the aligners should be worn as often as possible (20 to 22 hours a day, only to be removed when eating) or your teeth won’t move as intended and/or the treatment may be prolonged, says Dr. Horowitz. Compliance with aligner wear achieves the most predictable results in the shortest amount of time and not wearing the aligners as instructed can lead to compromised results, she adds.

If you have healthy teeth and you don’t have gum disease, you’re probably a great candidate for Invisalign, says Dr. Horowitz. Sometimes, a patient’s teeth may be structurally compromised or have other complex issues that can only be detected after a comprehensive exam, so it is important to have X-rays done by a dentist or orthodontist prior to starting treatment.

Patients with a history of periodontal disease may also benefit from the system as long as the gum disease is well-controlled at the start of treatment because Invisalign allows for slow tooth movement and proper hygiene, says Dr. Gonchar.

Some people may have difficulty remembering to wear the trays, so if compliance becomes an issue, traditional braces may be a better option, says Dr Horowitz. Finally, for more complex correction, additional treatments, such as metal brackets, rubber bands or even jaw surgery, may be required.

Invisalign can treat patients of all ages, but some patients are better candidates than others. If you’re curious about whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, speak with a dentist or orthodontist for evaluation.

Specialized dental care experts ready to help you with your dental issues. Reach out to SmileDirectClub for your custom treatment plan. Monthly offers also available.

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.

Heidi Borst is a freelance journalist, healthcare content writer and certified nutrition coach with a love of all things health and wellness. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, MSN, Yahoo and more. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, Borst is a lifelong runner and general fitness enthusiast who is passionate about the physical and mental benefits of sleep and self-care.