Invisalign in Sydney CBD: what to expect, step by step

Invisalign at CBD Dental

Our dentists have been providing Invisalign treatment on Castlereagh Street for more than a decade. CBD Dental has been recognised by Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign, as a Platinum Elite Invisalign Provider. This is a tier Align awards based on the number of Invisalign treatments a practice completes each year. For you, it means you'll be cared for by a team that plans and supports aligner treatment week in, week out.

Invisalign at CBD Dental is provided by our dentists, including Dr Sam Guirguis, who has a particular interest in orthodontics, along with Dr Nadine Samir, Dr Chris Karikios and Dr Angela Rigo.

What can Invisalign help with?

Clear aligners may be an option for many adults with:

• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Some overbite, underbite and crossbite concerns
• Teeth that have moved since earlier braces

Invisalign isn't suitable for everyone. Some bite or jaw issues are better treated another way, and teeth and gums need to be healthy before treatment starts. Your dentist will talk you through your options honestly, including if aligners aren't the right fit.

What to expect, step by step

1. Assessment

Your dentist checks your teeth, gums and bite, talks through what you'd like to change and confirms whether Invisalign is suitable. If you're due for a check-up, clean or X-rays, we'll usually do those first so treatment starts on a healthy foundation.

2. Digital scan and treatment plan

Instead of messy impressions, we take a digital scan of your teeth. Your dentist uses it to plan each stage of tooth movement, and you can see a 3D preview of the planned movement on screen. The preview is a planning tool, not a guarantee of the final result.

3. Wearing your aligners

Your custom aligners are made from the plan. You wear each set for at least 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush and floss. You'll usually move to the next set about every two weeks.

4. Check-ins that fit your week

Your dentist monitors your progress through regular check-ins. Some can happen virtually through a progress-tracking app, so not every aligner change needs a trip into the city. When you do come in, we're open from 8am Tuesday to Friday and until 7pm on Tuesdays.

5. Retainers

Once your teeth reach their planned position, you'll wear a retainer to help keep them there. Teeth naturally want to move back over time, so retainers are an ongoing part of looking after your result.

How long does Invisalign take?

It depends on your teeth, your bite and how consistently you wear your aligners. Some treatments take a few months, while others take up to two years. Your dentist will give you an estimated timeframe once your plan is ready.

Fitting Invisalign into CBD life

• Meetings and presentations: aligners are clear, so they're hard to notice
• Lunch and coffee: take aligners out to eat or drink, then brush or rinse before putting them back in
• Travel over summer: pack your current and next aligners, your case and a travel toothbrush; virtual check-ins can continue while you're away
• Keeping teeth healthy: food and drink trapped under aligners can raise the risk of decay, so brushing and cleaning between teeth matters more than ever