If you’ve been considering straighter teeth but haven’t wanted to
commit to traditional braces, Invisalign’s removable clear aligners
offer a practical alternative worth exploring. At Sky Dental Centre,
treatment as part of his general dental practice — starting with an
honest evaluation of whether Invisalign is the right option for your
specific dental situation.
Invisalign is a system of custom-fabricated, removable clear plastic aligners used to gradually move teeth into a more aligned position. Each aligner in the series is slightly different from the last, applying controlled forces to specific teeth over time. Patients typically progress through a series of aligners over the course of their treatment, moving to the next tray in the sequence every one to two weeks.
The aligners are made from a proprietary thermoplastic material called SmartTrack, designed to fit closely against the teeth and exert consistent, controlled forces. Invisalign aligners are fabricated using digital impressions or intraoral scans of the teeth, which feed into Align Technology’s treatment planning software — producing a detailed, pre-visualised tooth movement plan before any aligners are manufactured.
Unlike fixed orthodontic appliances, Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, and for oral hygiene. This is both a significant convenience and a responsibility — the clinical effectiveness of the treatment depends on wearing the aligners for the recommended daily hours. Patients who don’t wear their aligners consistently won’t see the movement their treatment plan projected.
Invisalign is suitable for a range of orthodontic presentations including crowding, spacing, and some bite issues — though it is not appropriate for all cases. More complex malocclusions, significant skeletal discrepancies, or situations requiring tooth movements outside the range of what aligners can achieve may be better served by fixed orthodontic appliances or specialist orthodontic care. Our trusted dentists assessment at your consultation will clarify whether Invisalign can address your specific situation.
Invisalign is available through both general practitioners and orthodontists. Our trusted dentists provides Invisalign as a general dental service, which is appropriate for many patients with mild to moderate alignment concerns. Cases requiring specialist orthodontic management are identified at assessment and discussed with you directly.
Mild to moderate crowding, where teeth overlap or are rotated slightly, responds well to aligner treatment in many cases. Mild spacing between teeth, mild overbite or underbite, and some crossbite presentations are also within the treatment range. The key word in all of these descriptions is “mild to moderate” — not every presentation of these conditions is Invisalign-appropriate, and clinical assessment determines what’s achievable.
Severe crowding or spacing, significant bite discrepancies, complex tooth rotations, and cases involving skeletal jaw relationships may require fixed orthodontic appliances or specialist referral. Invisalign isn’t appropriate for everyone — and being told it isn’t the right option for your case is more valuable than committing to treatment that won’t achieve what you’re hoping for.
Invisalign is used to treat a range of alignment concerns in both adults and older teenagers. The conditions below are common presentations patients come in asking about — suitability for each depends on the severity and nature of the specific case.
When teeth don’t have enough room to sit in their natural alignment, they overlap, rotate, or push inward. Mild to moderate crowding is among the most common reasons patients consider Invisalign.
Spacing concerns — whether a single noticeable gap or generalised space between multiple teeth — can be addressed with aligner treatment in appropriate cases. The amount of spacing is a key factor in suitability.
Overbite and underbite are bite misalignments where upper teeth overlap or sit behind lower teeth. Mild dental cases may be treated with aligners like Invisalign, while moderate, severe, or skeletal conditions often require more comprehensive orthodontic or surgical treatment approaches.
Open bite and crossbite are bite irregularities involving gaps or misalignment between upper and lower teeth. Some mild dental cases may be treated with aligners, while complex or skeletal conditions typically require specialist evaluation and more advanced orthodontic or corrective treatment approaches.
Invisalign is used to treat a range of alignment concerns in both adults and older teenagers. The conditions below are common presentations patients come in asking about — suitability for each depends on the severity and nature of the specific case.
1
Your first appointment involves a thorough review of your dental health and bite, not just a look at your alignment. Our invisalign dentists examines your teeth, gums, bite relationship, and jaw function to establish a complete clinical picture before any orthodontic plan is made. Active gum disease, significant tooth decay, or other dental issues are typically addressed before starting aligner treatment — attempting to move teeth while underlying health issues are unresolved is clinically counterproductive. You leave this appointment knowing clearly whether Invisalign is appropriate for your situation.
2
If you decide to proceed, digital impressions or a physical impression of your teeth are taken and submitted to Align Technology’s laboratory. These are used to create the ClinCheck — Invisalign’s treatment simulation software that models the intended tooth movements, aligner by aligner, from your current position to your planned final position. Our expert dentists reviews and refines this plan before it is approved — the ClinCheck is a clinical prescription, not simply a computer-generated output. Once the plan is finalised, your full set of aligners is manufactured and sent to the clinic.
3
Most Invisalign treatments require attachments — small, tooth-coloured composite dots or shapes bonded to the surface of specific teeth. These serve as grip points that help the aligner move teeth in directions or rotations that the aligner material alone cannot achieve. The attachment appointment involves a thorough cleaning of the tooth surfaces, bonding of the attachments using a composite material matched to your tooth colour, and fitting of your first aligner. Our Sky Dental dentists checks the fit and covers exactly how to insert and remove the trays, how long to wear them, and what to do if discomfort occurs.
4
Each aligner is worn for one to two weeks before progressing to the next in the series. Aligners must be worn for the recommended daily hours — typically around 20–22 hours per day — to ensure the planned tooth movements are achieved within the expected timeframe. Removing them to eat, drink, and clean your teeth is expected; removing them for extended periods interrupts treatment. Most patients find a consistent routine becomes natural within the first few weeks. You attend periodic check-ins throughout treatment so our trusted dentists can confirm teeth are tracking correctly against the planned movements.
5
Regular appointments during treatment — typically every six to twelve weeks — allow our dentists to assess whether teeth are moving as the ClinCheck planned. In some cases, refinements are needed: if certain teeth haven’t tracked as expected, a new scan is taken, a revised plan is designed, and additional aligners are fabricated to complete those movements. Refinements are a normal part of Invisalign treatment and are not a sign that something has gone wrong — they simply indicate that the clinical situation required adjustment.
Invisalign is used to treat a range of alignment concerns in both adults and older teenagers. The conditions below are common presentations patients come in asking about — suitability for each depends on the severity and nature of the specific case.
Aligners are not visible from a normal conversational distance — a significant practical benefit for adults who would find fixed braces professionally or socially uncomfortable
Removability means no dietary restrictions; you eat and drink normally by removing the aligners at mealtimes
Normal oral hygiene is maintained — brushing and flossing without brackets or wires to navigate reduces the risk of developing decay or gum problems during treatment
No emergency appointments for broken brackets or poking wires — there are no metal components to break or irritate soft tissues
The ClinCheck treatment simulation provides a pre-visualised view of the intended movement plan — patients have a clearer idea of what their treatment involves before it begins
Compliance is the primary success factor. Invisalign works when aligners are worn for the required hours daily. Patients who regularly remove them for more than the recommended time will find their teeth don’t track as planned. The flexibility that makes Invisalign appealing also means the treatment outcome is more dependent on patient behaviour than fixed appliances.
Mild discomfort when switching aligners is normal. Each new tray in the series places new forces on specific teeth. This typically produces a period of pressure or mild soreness — usually most noticeable on the first day of a new aligner and reducing within 24–48 hours. This is part of the treatment working, not a sign of a problem.
Mild discomfort when switching aligners is normal. Each new tray in the series places new forces on specific teeth. This typically produces a period of pressure or mild soreness — usually most noticeable on the first day of a new aligner and reducing within 24–48 hours. This is part of the treatment working, not a sign of a problem.
Speech adaptation takes a short adjustment period. Most patients notice a slight change in speech when they first start wearing aligners — a minor lisp is common initially. This typically resolves within a few days as the mouth adapts to the presence of the aligners.
Retention is permanent. Teeth moved orthodontically will relapse without retention. Retainers after Invisalign are not optional — they are part of the treatment commitment. Patients should understand this before starting.
Active gum disease or untreated tooth decay should be resolved before orthodontic treatment begins. Moving teeth through unhealthy bone and gum tissue increases the risk of complications and can compromise the outcome. Your initial consultation will identify any such issues and sequence their treatment into the plan. If you have had previous orthodontic treatment and relapsed, bring any records or retainers to your consultation — prior orthodontic history is clinically relevant to planning.
Aligners are removed before eating and drinking anything other than plain water. Eating while wearing aligners can crack or distort the tray and can cause staining. Always brush and floss before reinserting aligners after meals — food debris trapped under the tray creates an environment that accelerates decay. When you’re not eating or cleaning your teeth, the aligners should be in. Keep the provided case with you so trays aren’t wrapped in napkins or left out of the mouth unnecessarily. Heat distorts the thermoplastic material — don’t leave aligners in a hot car or rinse them with hot water.
Aligners should be rinsed every time they are removed and cleaned once daily using a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap or a dedicated retainer cleaning solution. Coloured or heavily scented soaps can stain or affect the appearance of the plastic. Toothpaste is abrasive and scratches the aligner surface — avoid it for cleaning trays. Scratched aligners can harbour bacteria and become more visible. Your aligners are clear tools for a clinical process — keeping them clean contributes directly to your dental health during treatment.
Invisalign treatment varies in cost based on a number of clinical factors. Because each patient’s situation is different, an accurate fee estimate can only be provided after your clinical assessment. There is no single fixed price for Invisalign — and any estimate you’re given without a clinical examination and treatment planning should be viewed with caution.
The degree of crowding, spacing, or bite correction required determines how many aligners are needed and how long treatment will take. Mild cases requiring fewer movements are less involved — and priced differently — than moderate or comprehensive cases.
Align Technology offers several Invisalign product tiers — from Invisalign Lite (for minor corrections requiring fewer aligners) to full Invisalign Comprehensive (for more extensive treatment). The product prescribed for your case is based on clinical requirements, not preference, and affects the overall cost.
If additional aligners are needed partway through treatment to complete specific movements that haven’t tracked as planned, these refinements may be included within the original treatment fee or may represent an additional cost, depending on the arrangement discussed at the outset.
If any restorative or periodontal work is needed before starting Invisalign — decay treatment, gum therapy, or extractions — these are additional procedures with their own fees. The consultation determines whether any such preparation is clinically required before aligners can begin.
Fixed orthodontic appliances remain the appropriate solution for many cases that Invisalign cannot effectively address — severe crowding, significant bite corrections, complex tooth movements, and cases requiring skeletal anchorage. Sky Dental Centre’s orthodontic services include a clinical assessment that determines whether Invisalign, fixed braces, or specialist orthodontic referral is the appropriate path. Understanding the differences between options is the foundation of any orthodontic consultation.
Fixed orthodontic appliances remain the appropriate solution for many cases that Invisalign cannot effectively address — severe crowding, significant bite corrections, complex tooth movements, and cases requiring skeletal anchorage. Sky Dental Centre’s orthodontic services include a clinical assessment that determines whether Invisalign, fixed braces, or specialist orthodontic referral is the appropriate path. Understanding the differences between options is the foundation of any orthodontic consultation.
Some patients asking about Invisalign are primarily concerned with how their smile looks rather than how their teeth are aligned clinically. In specific cases — mild spacing, minor chips, or cosmetic discolouration — same-day veneers may address the aesthetic concerns more directly than orthodontic treatment. The consultation helps determine whether the concern is primarily cosmetic or whether alignment correction itself is the appropriate goal.
For patients with missing teeth in their alignment assessment, implant placement or bridge work may need to be factored into the orthodontic plan — spaces created by missing teeth affect how neighbouring teeth move and how the bite sits. The sequence of restorative and orthodontic treatment is part of the planning discussion at Sky Dental Centre when both concerns are present.
Invisalign consultations at Sky Dental Centre include a full oral health assessment — not just a smile assessment. Gum health, tooth structure, bite function, and any existing restorations are all factored into the treatment plan. Orthodontic treatment on a clinically healthy foundation produces more predictable results and avoids the complications that arise from moving teeth in a compromised environment.
The full scope of Invisalign treatment — including the retention commitment after active treatment is complete — is explained before any decision is made. Patients understand what the treatment involves, how long it takes, what their participation is required for daily, and what retention looks like, before they commit. There are no surprises introduced after treatment has started.
Sky Dental Centre is located at 2817 Arthur St E in the east end of Thunder Bay. Invisalign treatment involves periodic check-in appointments throughout the course of months — having a clinic accessible from across the city and surrounding Northwestern Ontario communities makes the ongoing treatment commitment more manageable.
Questions patients commonly ask about Invisalign before and during treatment. If yours isn’t here, call the clinic or bring it to your consultation.
Invisalign treatment involves pressure, not pain in the traditional sense. When you switch to a new aligner in the series, you’ll typically feel tightness or mild soreness for the first 24–48 hours as the tray begins to move the teeth it’s designed to address. This is a sign the treatment is working as intended. Most patients describe it as manageable and find it diminishes quickly. If a tray has a sharp edge irritating soft tissue, this can usually be addressed with dental wax or a minor adjustment at your next appointment.
Treatment length varies considerably depending on the complexity of the case. Minor alignment corrections may be completed in a matter of months; moderate cases typically take somewhere between one and two years. The ClinCheck plan gives an estimated treatment duration before you begin — though this can extend if refinement aligners are needed or if compliance with wearing hours is inconsistent. Your consultation, once clinical records are taken, will give a more accurate picture for your specific case.
Invisalign cost varies based on the complexity of your case, the Invisalign product tier prescribed, whether refinements are needed, and the retention approach used after treatment. Because of these variables, an accurate cost estimate requires a clinical assessment and ClinCheck treatment plan. At Sky Dental Centre, a full written cost breakdown is provided before any treatment begins. Some dental benefit plans cover a portion of orthodontic treatment including Invisalign — a pre-authorisation letter to your insurer can be arranged to clarify your coverage before you commit.
Some bite discrepancies — mild overbites, certain crossbites — can be addressed as part of an Invisalign treatment plan. More significant bite issues, particularly those with a skeletal component (where jaw position rather than tooth position is the underlying cause), are generally outside what aligners can reliably correct without adjunctive treatment. If your bite is a significant concern, this needs to be assessed clinically before any treatment is planned. Attempting to treat a skeletal bite issue with aligners alone can produce a result that addresses the appearance of alignment without resolving the functional issue.
Invisalign is the product of Align Technology, which holds long-standing patents on many aspects of clear aligner technology and has the largest clinical database of clear aligner outcomes. The SmartTrack material, ClinCheck treatment planning software, and the breadth of product tiers (from Invisalign Lite to Comprehensive) are specific to the Align Technology system. Other clear aligner systems exist and vary in their manufacturing processes, clinical validation, and range of movements achievable. The comparison between systems is a clinical question relevant to your specific case — it’s worth raising at your consultation if you’ve been researching alternatives.
SERVING THUNDER BAY
Sky Dental Centre is located at 2817 Arthur St E, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 5P5 — in the east end of the city, accessible from across Thunder Bay including Current River, Vickers Heights, Westfort, McIntyre, and communities throughout Northwestern Ontario.
Dental emergencies are unplanned by definition. When they happen — at night, on a weekend, or in the middle of a working day — knowing who to call and where to go matters. Sky Dental Centre provides same-day emergency appointments and can triage your situation by phone to advise on urgency and prepare appropriately for your arrival.
Sky Dental Centre is currently accepting new patients for both emergency and routine care. If you’re in dental pain or have experienced a dental injury, call the clinic directly rather than waiting to see if it resolves.
807-623-9445
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