Talking To Your Doctor About Invisalign® Treatment

What to expect and how to prepare for your first appointment

Invisalign clear aligners can help kids, teens, and adults fix their bites and their smiles. As the #1 doctor recommended clear aligner treatment for teeth straightening in the world.1 Invisalign aligners have transformed over million smiles.2

With Invisalign treatment, you wear a series of clear, removable, and virtually invisible aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. Invisalign treatment offers many clear advantages that braces don't, including aesthetics, comfort,3 oral hygiene,4 and treatment time.5

Ready to get started? Your first step to a straighter smile begins with a consultation with your orthodontist to determine if Invisalign treatment is right for you.

Get a sneak peek of your new smile

Interested in seeing your new smile before stepping into the orthodontist’s office? Try Invisalign SmileView™  on your mobile phone or try it on My Invisalign™ app to get a simulation of your new smile and see what your new smile could look like. 

Get ready for your consultation

Researching ahead of time is a great way to get the most out of your consultation. It will help you feel more confident and less afraid to ask your doctor questions. Even a few moments spent gathering information on how Invisalign treatment works will help you discuss your expectations and treatment plan with your orthodontist.

As you get ready for your consultation, think of questions to ask your orthodontist. Asking questions is a great way to learn more about Invisalign treatment.  

Some great starter questions include:

  • Are Invisalign aligners right for me?

  • How often will I need to return for check-ups?

  • Do you offer a monthly payment plan?

  • Do you accept my insurance?

  • What happens if I break an aligner?

Review your insurance

Review your insurance policy ahead of time to understand your benefits. With dental insurance, you may be covered up to $3,000 for orthodontic treatment.6 You can use My Invisalign app to look up coverage or you can call your insurer's customer service line and ask what your policy covers. This information will help you and your orthodontist plan your treatment in a way that makes the most of your coverage. 

Arrive prepared

Show up for your consultation prepared. Bring your list of questions and remember to ask them all. If you’re visiting this doctor for the first time, you'll want to ensure they can access your dental records. You can request to have them sent over or bring them to your consultation.

During your consultation

Invisalign treatment starts with a consultation with an Invisalign-trained orthodontist. This consultation is a great opportunity to ask questions about the Invisalign treatment, your specific situation, potential outcomes, and payment options. The orthodontist will evaluate your smile, map out a treatment plan, and review the visual treatment plan with you.  

Tell your orthodontist about medical conditions, medications, or allergies you have because they might impact your Invisalign treatment. This information will ensure you're fitted with the correct aligners and treated correctly.

Once your orthodontist has all the information they need, they can give you a clearer idea of how to proceed. They can talk to you about your unique situation, walk you through your visual treatment   plan, and set expectations on when you should expect to start seeing results.

After your consultation

As you wrap up your consultation, your doctor will give you a summary of your discussion and treatment plan. The summary may include a treatment timeline so you know when you can expect your aligners. Invisalign clear aligners usually arrive a few weeks after the orthodontist scans your teeth, but delivery times may vary.

Schedule your consultation

The best way to learn more about Invisalign or get started on treatment is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist. Don’t have an orthodontist? Try the Invisalign Doctor Locator to find the right Invisalign provider near you.

Ready to start your Invisalign® journey?

Discover if smile treatment is right for you.

Ready to start your Invisalign® journey?

Discover if smile treatment is right for you.



Disclaimer: The information contained in this website are for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you may have regarding any dental or medical-related condition and never disregard or delay seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website.

Wonder if Invisalign treatment is right for you?

  1. Based on a global survey of 1,786 doctors (dentists and orthodontists who use clear aligners) by IQVIA in NA, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC. Data on File at Align Technology, as of June 30, 2022.
  2. Data on file at Align Technology, June 30, 2024
  3. Study sponsored by Align Technology and based on adult Class I, nonextraction, mild to moderate crowding cases with SmartTrack material. David W. White, Katie C. Julien, Helder Jacob, Phillip M. Campbell and Peter H. Buschang, Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial. The Angle Orthodontist Nov 2017, Vol. 87, No. 6 pp. 801-808
  4. Based on lower Plaque Index (PI), Probing Depth (PD), and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) of the upper right first molar and upper left central incisors at initial, 1 month and 3 months on 77 patients (age 16-30, 32 Invisalign treatment, 35 fixed appliances, 10 control) in Class I mild crowding cases.
  5. Gu, J et al. Evaluation of Invisalign treatment effectiveness and efficiency compared with conventional fixed appliances using the Peer Assessment Rating index. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop February 2017;151:259-66Buschang, P et al. Comparative time efficiency of aligner therapy and conventional edgewise braces. Angle Orthodontist, Vol 84, No 3, 2014
  6. Data from OrthoFi for calendar year 2021, N = 112,243, US patients with dental insurance coverage who used OrthoFi insurance verification tool. Coverage amount averaged $1,772 USD, with 92% qualifying for up to $3,000 USD and 77% qualifying for up to $2,000 USD in coverage for orthodontic treatment. Data on file at Align Technology, as of January 19, 2023.