iTero Element Scanner
During your first consultation, your dentist will use an iTero scanner to do a 3D scan of the inside of your teeth.
Comprehensive Guide to Invisalign in Singapore: Price, How It Works & FAQs
5 February 2021
Categories:
Invisalign
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the world’s leading clear aligner system to correct malocclusions (teeth misalignments). According to the makers of Invisalign, this treatment uses pioneering research and patented technology that has straightened 11 million patients’ teeth globally!
These aligners are removable, more comfortable and virtually invisible; this means minimal interruptions to your daily life! With the constant advancement of technology, the aligners are continually improved to include new features to treat more complex cases.
Invisalign uses technology and data to time and plan how your teeth are to be repositioned. Based on these pre-planned movements, the aligners exert a consistent, gentle force on your teeth so you’ll experience minimal pain and discomfort during the treatment.
ClinCheck software
Powered by data from 11 million patients, your dentist will use a proprietary ClinCheck® software to customise a treatment plan for you. Before you even embark on this journey, you’ll be able to see a simulation of your teeth before and after the treatment!
Features of Invisalign aligners
- SmartTrack material: patented material engineered to fit snugly and reduce treatment time
- SmartForce attachments: tiny attachments that enable complex teeth movements
- SmartStage technology: optimise progression of teeth movements using SmartForce
Virtually invisible
Self-conscious about how you look? Invisalign aligners are transparent and designed to fit snugly.
They’re almost invisible, so you might be able to go through your treatment without your friends or family noticing.
No dietary restrictions
Instead of having to make major changes to your diet, all you’ll have to do is remove your aligners before mealtimes and you can eat all your favourite foods!
Just remember to brush your teeth before putting them back in.
Maintain dental hygiene
Invisalign aligners are removable, which means minimal interruptions to your daily routine.
You can simply remove them and brush and floss your teeth as per normal to maintain your clean, pearly whites!
Requires discipline
As the effectiveness of your treatment is dependent on your compliance, you’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day to achieve the best results.
There’s a way to monitor your wear time though:
Blue wear indicators can be fitted onto your aligners at an additional cost. If you haven’t worn your aligners for the recommended 20-22 hours, the indicators will not completely fade to clear.Expensive
Due to the R&D and technology behind Invisalign, the costs are high which translates to a higher price for patients.
Before you get turned off by this, know that what you’re paying for is the patented technology that provides better comfort, reduces treatment time and has minimal interruptions to your daily routine. Plus, this aligner system is backed by data from 11 million patients and counting!
Speech may be affected
Just like any other orthodontic appliance, Invisalign aligners may affect your speech briefly. Some patients may experience a slight lisp.
However, this is totally normal and any speech impediments should be gone within a few days as your mouth gets accustomed to your aligners.
Invisalign are clear aligners which are almost invisible, while braces have visible brackets, wires and rubber bands.
If you prefer a more low-key treatment option, go for Invisalign! Braces are more suited for those who wish to flaunt their new braces colours.
Invisalign is made with a patented SmartTrack® material, which applies gradual gentle force to the teeth. Braces, on the other hand, applies greater pressure.
If you’d like to keep the pain to a minimum, you might want to go for Invisalign.
Invisalign allows you to maintain oral hygiene easily as they can be removed before you brush and floss your teeth.
With braces, you may experience difficulties brushing and flossing your teeth as the brackets and wires are often in the way.
Invisalign follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every 8-10 weeks. Plus, if you opt for Dental Monitoring with your clinic, the appointments are reduced to every 8-12 weeks! This is great for anyone who prefers convenience 😉
As for braces, each appointment is longer and scheduled every 4-8 weeks.
Invisalign are clear aligners which are almost invisible, while braces have visible brackets, wires and rubber bands.
If you prefer a more low-key treatment option, go for Invisalign! Braces are more suited for those who wish to flaunt their new braces colours.
Invisalign is made with a patented SmartTrack® material, which applies gradual gentle force to the teeth. Braces, on the other hand, applies greater pressure.
If you’d like to keep the pain to a minimum, you might want to go for Invisalign.
Invisalign allows you to maintain oral hygiene easily as they can be removed before you brush and floss your teeth.
With braces, you may experience difficulties brushing and flossing your teeth as the brackets and wires are often in the way.
Invisalign follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every 8-10 weeks. Plus, if you opt for Dental Monitoring with your clinic, the appointments are reduced to every 8-12 weeks! This is great for anyone who prefers convenience 😉
As for braces, each appointment is longer and scheduled every 4-8 weeks.
There are several types of Invisalign plans designed for varying complexities of malocclusions. Do note your dentist will advise you on a suitable Invisalign plan based on your teeth condition.
| Plan | Suitable for | Number of aligners |
| Invisalign Express | Relapse cases Minor movements | Up to 7 sets |
| Invisalign Lite | Mild crowding and spacing cases with no extraction required | Up to 14 sets |
| Invisalign Moderate | Less complex cases of crowding and spacing | Up to 26 sets |
| Invisalign Comprehensive | More complex cases that require greater teeth movements | As many as required |
Consultation with your dentist
The first step is to consult your dentist so that they can learn more about your teeth condition. This is when you can ask them any questions too!
After which, an oral examination will be done. For diagnostic records, 3D scans of your teeth will be taken using the iTero Scanner and photos of your dental and facial profile will also be taken.
Customised treatment plan
After you’ve decided to kickstart your Invisalign journey, your dentist will customise a treatment plan for you with the ClinCheck® software.
This is the exciting part – you’ll be able to visualise how your teeth will move from the start to the end of the treatment!
Invisalign treatment commences
Your trays will be manufactured by Invisalign technicians and reach your dental clinic in 4-6 weeks. During your next appointment, your dentist will teach you how to wear your aligners the right way.
Do note that you have to wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day and change them every 10-14 days.
Follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled every 8-10 weeks for your dentist to check your teeth movements and tray fit. New aligners will also be given to you.
Tip!
Some clinics offer Dental Monitoring, where AI technology is used so that you can upload photos of your teeth to a smartphone app.Your dentist will be able to monitor your weekly progress, which reduces the number of follow-up appointments to every 8-12 weeks!
Refinements (as required)
You’ll most likely be done with your treatment once you’ve worn your last tray for 14 days. But there may be instances where a few teeth still need some minor adjustments.
This is quite common for patients but don’t worry! Your dentist will inspect your teeth and order more refinement trays as required. Some dental clinics may include a free refinement tray in their Invisalign package.
Post-treatment maintenance
Congrats, you’re finally at the end of your treatment! Now, all you have to do is to wear retainers to bed every night to maintain your new smile.
There are several types of retainers to choose from including fixed or removable retainers (e.g. clear, Hawley, Vivera). Vivera retainers are usually the go-to retainers as they’re manufactured by Invisalign and are 30% stronger than other alternatives.
Price of treatment
The price of Invisalign treatment in Singapore can range from $3,500 – $9,000.
This is dependent on
- the dental clinic you go to,
- your teeth condition, and
- the type of Invisalign plan (Express, Lite, Moderate, Comprehensive) that your dentist recommends.
To make treatment more affordable, most dental clinics offer installment plans and packages for students and NSFs.
Price of retainers
Other than the price of treatment, do take into account the cost of your post-treatment retainers as well. As retainers will get worn out over time, they need to be replaced periodically.
- Fixed retainers: $300 – $500 per arch
- Hawley retainers: $300 – $600 per retainer
- Clear retainers: $200 – $500 for 1 pair
- Vivera retainers: $900 – $1,000 for 3 pairs
FAQs
Putting some thought into choosing a dentist will make your Invisalign journey worthwhile.
Some factors to consider may include
- Dentist or clinic’s accreditations
- Clinic reputation
- Clinic locations
- Clinic’s opening hours
For more information, read our article on how to choose a good dentist for Invisalign treatment.
No! Whether you’re an adult or a teen, Invisalign treatment can be a great solution if you’re looking for a virtually invisible method to improve your smile.
The innovations and technological advancements from Invisalign make it possible to fix nearly all common teeth misalignments without interrupting your busy life.
Also, thanks to the blue wear indicators (at an additional cost) on the outside of your aligners, you can be sure that you’re wearing your clear aligners enough.
Teeth extraction may be required depending on your teeth condition. Based on our data at i.Dental, most of our Invisalign patients don’t require teeth extraction.
Your dentist will advise you on this during your first consultation.
This depends on the condition of your teeth and the treatment plan your dentist has in mind. For example, wisdom tooth removal is recommended if you have an impacted wisdom tooth.
On the other hand, removal may not be required if your teeth have erupted well and are properly positioned. The wisdom teeth may be kept as an anchor to help align other teeth during the treatment process.
The treatment duration will vary according to the complexity of your teeth condition. It can range from 6 months to 2 years.
However, some patients may be able to start seeing results in a few weeks!
Invisalign may have difficulty in treating impacted teeth and severely tipped or rotated teeth.
However, this can be rectified with the use of SmartForce attachments which act like handles to allow the aligners to push the teeth into place.
Your dentist may mention this during your Invisalign treatment.
IPR refers to the filing of the sides of your teeth for orthodontic reasons. Thus, in the case of Invisalign, it may be done to reshape your teeth to make space for movement.
Attachments are small dots that are stuck to your teeth at specific locations.
After IPR is done (if required), attachments may be used to provide grip for your Invisalign aligners to apply pressure to your teeth to guide them to their desired locations.
FAQs
Dentists recommend that you wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day.
Invisalign is made with SmartTrack®, a patented material that’s developed after years of R&D and experimenting with over 260 types of materials.
As compared to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners provide better comfort as it applies a constant gentle force to the teeth.
According to our dentist Dr. Tong, you’re on track if there’s a snug fit. But if there’s spacing between your teeth and the aligners, it’s likely that you’re off tracking.
You’re required to wear each set of aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day. Aligners are to be changed every 1-2 weeks, as directed by your dentist.
Each aligner will gradually shift your teeth into the ideal position based on your customised treatment plan.
Brush your aligners with your toothpaste and toothbrush and rinse them in lukewarm water. Don’t use hot water on your aligners as it could potentially cause the plastic to warp!
Yes, it’s possible to change dentists during your Invisalign treatment. However, there are certain things to take note of:
- You should check with the new dentist if he/she is comfortable with taking over your case.
- As Invisalign is a doctor-directed treatment, your new dentist may propose a different approach from that of your previous dentist in order to achieve certain teeth movements.
FAQs
At the end of your Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to wear retainers every night to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions.
Your dentist will introduce the different types of retainers to you and explain their pros and cons. You’ll also be advised on the daily duration of wearing your retainers.
According to Align Technology, the Vivera retainer material is at least 30% stronger and 2 times more durable than other retainer materials.
Thus, we’d expect 4 sets to last about 3 years if you take good care of them.
There are currently 4 common types of retainers available
- Vivera retainers
- Hawley retainers
- Permanent retainers
- Clear retainers
Each of them have their own pros and cons such as durability, hygiene, comfort and cost. Consult your dentist for advice on which type is most suitable for you.