13 13 96

Level 1,
Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins St, Melbourne

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

Pre Invisalign Treatment


Invisalign can address most but not all teeth straightening concerns.

To ascertain your suitability for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, Smile Solutions offers a free Invisalign consultation. At this appointment we will assess your suitability for Invisalign and determine what treatment is best for your individual case. You will receive a comprehensive quote and treatment plan and you’ll even get to see a projection of what your smile will look like at the end.

Invisalign Comprehensive (unlimited aligners)  Suitable for moderate to severe crowding/spacing.

Invisalign Lite (Up to 14 aligners) Suited to patients with minor dental problems.

Invisalign Express (Up to 7 aligners) Suited to patients with a relapse after braces from a younger age or very mild movement requirements.

Invisalign Teen is the discreet way to straighten teenagers teeth with added benefits such as wear indicators to check usage and additional replacements included in case an aligner is lost.

As a guide, Invisalign treatment by a specialist orthodontist at Smile Solutions costs between $4,200 for Invisalign express, up to $9,900 for a full case.

No two mouths are the same, so the cost of Invisalign will vary from person to person. As part of your complimentary consultation with one of our treatment coordinators you will receive a comprehensive quote detailing the type of Invisalign you are suitable for and the total anticipated Invisalign fees over your course of treatment.

Invisalign Payment Methods

We understand affordability is an important consideration when you are looking to make a big change in your life. That is why we offer you a choice of Invisalign payment options, including interest-free payment plans. If you choose a payment plan, we can process your application at your appointment and your treatment coordinator will take you through all of the details.

Deposit Inclusive, Interest Free Payment Plan
To lower your repayments you can place a 20% deposit at the commencement of your treatment and spread the balance owing in fortnightly repayments up to 24 months.

Interest Free Payment Plan
We offer interest free payment plans for all our orthodontic treatment, so you can spread the cost of treatment over time.

Full Payment Upfront
There are discounts offered for those who choose to pay in full on commencement of treatment. Check with your treatment coordinator as to what they are.

Specialist orthodontists have three to four years of additional education and training in the specific field of orthodontics, which qualifies them for registration with the Dental Board of Australia as a specialist. Seeing a specialist orthodontist means you receive specialist care by a highly trained expert.

If you have orthodontic cover as part of your health insurance policy, your Invisalign treatment may be covered. Several health funds will provide a rebate only when a specialist orthodontist carries out the treatment. We suggest you check with your health fund as policies differ from fund to fund.

Orthodontics is the specialisation of straightening teeth and correcting bite. Registered specialist orthodontists have had three to four years of additional training in the specific field of orthodontics on top of their dental degree. At Smile Solutions your Invisalign treatment will be provided by a registered Specialist orthodontist. Although some dentists have obtained a qualification to provide teeth straightening, this is not their sole focus or specialty so at Smile Solutions we recommend you see an orthodontist for your teeth straightening treatment.

Smile Solutions is the largest dental practice in Australia and is one of the foremost providers of Invisalign nationally. We offer a choice of payment methods including a no deposit, interest free payment plans to remove the cost barrier to achieving the smile you’ve always wanted. Smile Solutions will also price match any written quote for identical treatment prescribed by an Australian Dental Board-registered specialist orthodontist.

Some people may experience minor discomfort at the beginning of each new stage of treatment, when a new aligner is inserted. Patients typically describe this as a feeling of pressure. Feeling discomfort during any orthodontic treatment is a good sign as it indicates that your teeth are moving into their new positions. The discomfort typically dissipates after a couple of days as the wearer becomes accustomed to the new aligners. Over-the-counter pain management can also help, if required.

Yes, you will require retainers to keep your teeth in position; but no, there is no additional charge for these at Smile Solutions. We include this cost when we quote up front for all treatment, appointments and aligners.

Yes. Most people who have had orthodontic treatment and are not completely happy are eligible for Invisalign treatment. In many cases the treatment is shorter and cheaper.

During Invisalign Treatment


The time taken to complete treatment depends on the complexity of your orthodontic needs, but the average is 12 to 18 months.

After a consultation with one of our specialist orthodontists, you will receive a full treatment outline. This will give you an approximate timeframe, including the time required for any general dental work in preparation for your Invisalign treatment.

The vast majority of patients report no effect at all on their speech. However, as with traditional orthodontic appliances, having something new in your mouth brings an initial adjustment period.

You will need to visit your orthodontist every six to eight weeks for a progress review and to collect your next set of aligners. The cost of these appointments is included in your treatment plan.

As you remove your aligners to eat or drink anything other than cold water, there are no restrictions on what you can eat and drink. Removing your aligners to eat prevents staining, the formation of cavities and disfigurement of the aligners due to heat.

We recommend you brush and floss your teeth after each meal before reinserting the aligners. Do not chew any kind of gum with your aligners in place; gum sticks to aligners and is difficult to remove other than with an extra visit to the dentist.

Aligners should be worn all the time – day and night – with the exception of when you remove them to eat, brush and floss your teeth or if you remove them for special occasions. As a guide, you should wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day.

It is best to clean your aligners before each insertion. This can be done using cold water and a toothbrush (without toothpaste). Soaking aligners in cool water and vinegar or Retainer Brite will remove any stains or debris (other than gum). Simply place your aligners in a cup of water and add one tablet of Retainer Brite, which will turn the water blue. Once the water is clear again, your aligners will be too! Rinse them thoroughly in cold water before re-inserting. It is best to clean your aligners while they are out during mealtimes, to avoid extra time out of the mouth.

Do not use warm or hot water, denture cleaners or mouthwash as these will distort the aligners.

When taking your aligners out to eat or drink, remember to store them in the protective box provided. Avoid placing them in tissue or your pockets to prevent accidentally damaging or discarding them.

Replacement aligners can be purchased for $100 per set.

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