Considering Invisalign? Find Out If It’s Right For You

In this article:

  1. Our unique approach to Invisalign
  2. Frequently asked questions about Invisalign
  3. How to request a free 15min consult with Dr. Michael Kan

Invisalign is one of the leading brands that make clear aligners to straighten teeth. It does away with traditional brackets and wires by using a preformed clear aligner to direct light forces to align your teeth.

Invisalign hold many patterns that give them the leading edge over their competitors. Here at Cosmetic Dental, we use the latest Iterio scanner to scan of your teeth, which produces a three-dimensional virtual model that is ready for manipulation. We call this virtual working model a ‘clin check’. This model shows what your smile looks like before and after the final outcome of treatment, with all the staged movements in between.

Achieving amazing results is not solely down to the plastic aligner, but the practitioners personal design, understanding of the mechanics, the sequencing of the desired movements to align the teeth and creating facial orthodontic symmetry.

True facial orthodontic symmetry is not just making straight teeth. It is the art of giving the patient the best facial features by changing the position of the teeth, and the shape of their jaws.

Like art, the dentist is going to have a personal style, and preference in facial orthodontic characteristic changes which they consider more attractive.

There are many treatment options to achieve different facial characteristics.

Some practitioners prefer to remove teeth to make space, others would file the teeth to make them narrower. Some might expand forwards, others expand sideways. Space can be also achieved by moving the teeth backward. Lower jaws can be advanced forwards.

All these options will have an effect on the facial profile, support of the lips, how wide a smile that can be achieved, and how many teeth show in your smile. The aim is to give you an overall facial balance that you can’t help but smile about!

By reverse engineering, we look at the desired facial features first then move the jaws and teeth to achieve a balanced face, then straighten teeth to achieve a balanced smile. Aligners are a wonderful way to align teeth and shape faces. They are more comfortable than braces. This means the patient requires far fewer visits for adjustments. Then there is the huge bonus of being able taking them out to eat and clean your teeth.

We still offer braces, but most of our patients choose clear aligners once they compare the results, the time needed and the cost of braces. In some cases, aligners give a better result in less time than braces.

To help you decide if Invisalign is right for you, Cosmetic Dental can scan your teeth to produce a 3D simulation to show you what your teeth will look like when straight.

To request a free, no-obligation scan and computer stimulation at Cosmetic Dental, complete the form below or call us on 09 524 2515.

Frequentely Asked Questions

If you are considering Invisalign, then here’s everything you need to know about the treatment from one of the top Invisalign practices in New Zealand (by case annual numbers).

  1. Why choose Invisalign over metal braces?
  2. How does Invisalign actually work?
  3. Won’t the aligners fall off my teeth?
  4. What do the Invisalign alingers look like once they’re on your teeth?
  5. Ok, so what are the bad points about Invisalign?
  6. How long will the treatment take?
  7. What happens after my treatment?
  8. What is the investment required for Invisalign?

Why choose Invisalign over Metal Braces?

There’s many reasons. One, it’s virtually invisible (hence the name). If you’ve tried metal braces before, you know the pain of regular, re-tightening and the awkward looks from people staring at your teeth. That’s why Invisalign was created, to help people around the world get the benefits of straight teeth, without metal and wires bolted to their gums.

Two, you can remove the Invisalign aligners for meals and special occasions. If your work involves meeting new people, then that first smile and handshake are all important. Invisalign allows you to remove the aligners for two hours a day so you can talk with confidence, woo new clients, then slip them back on. Even when the Invisalign clear braces are on, most people won’t even notice them.

Three Invisalign aligners are thin and comfortable (they are a little tight with each new set of aligners you go through during the course of the treatment. No pain, no gain. There’s little to no impact on your ability to talk, with none of the ulcerations and discomfort that comes with conventional braces. Often once you’ve got the aligners on your teeth, you’ll forget they are even there.

How does Invisalign actually work?

Invisalign works in a similar way to metal braces, except the aligners are not noticeable and you can remove them while eating or for special occasions.

You are given a series of aligners, with a new set arriving every two weeks. Each aligner makes gradual adjustments to the position of your teeth, from their current position to the predetermined final position.

Here at Cosmetic Dental we show you a 3-D video of your teeth as they move into their final position, with each new aligner making a slight movement of your teeth.

It’s quite exciting to see the video of your teeth at the end of the Invisalign treatment – and should motivate you to continue when you’re on your 26th set of aligners!

As you can see, the Invisalign treatment is mapped out from start to finish. We take x-rays and a impression of the current position of your teeth, then send this to Invisalign specialist Grant Duncan, BDS, MSc in South Australia to review and create your individual Invisalign treatment plan.

Once confirmed, the treatment plan is sent to the Invisalign global office in California for final approval. Once approved, the aligner profiles are sent to Coasta Rica to create each set of aligners for the length of your treatment.Once the aligners arrive in New Zealand, we arrange a appointment to fit your first set.

Won’t the aligners fall off my teeth??

The aligners are designed with an engineering focus to ensure they stay on your teeth, and gradually move them into the right position. You’ll notice in the above video that there are several red ‘ridges’ on the front upper and lower teeth of the patient.

This is a special resin material that is bonded to your teeth throughout the course of your treatment. The resin is clear, so people won’t notice them. The ‘ridges’ are designed to make the maximum tooth movement possible during your treatment, while also making it easy to remove the aligners when needed.

Some patients don’t need the resin ridges to take the Invisalign treatment. In the case above, the adult male patient required several large teeth movements and the ridges reduced the time needed for the treatment. If you would prefer not to have the resin hooks on your teeth, it is possible to still have Invisalign without them.


It’s very difficult to notice the difference in your smile with your Invisalign braces on. Many patients comment that their family and friends don’t even notice they have braces on until they tell them.

Ok, so what are the bad points about Invisalign?

Metal braces do have their advantages. One, they’re cheaper. Because braces have been available for a much longer time, they are more affordable. The exact costs vary from with every patient, dependent on how extensive the treatment required.

We can provide you with costs for both options, Invisalign and metal braces. Our patients often find Invisalign to be well worth the extra investment because it gives them the freedom to continue their life and work (almost) as normal.

How long will the treatment take?

The average treatment time is approximately 12 months. However, the length of your treatment will depend on the complexity of your case and will be determined following your initial appointment. Usually adult patients with fully matured teeth take longer than patients in their teens.

What happens after my treatment?

At the end of the treatment, approximately 12 months, you may need to wear a retainer or positioner to ensure your teeth remain in alignment. It varies from person to person and the goal of the treatment. A clear plastic retainer, similar to the aligners that Invisalign makes, may need to be worn at night for a period. Every patient is different, and we’ll review the progress you’ve made at the end of the Invisalign treatment before making a recommendation.

What is the investment required for Invisalign?

The good news is, that Invisalign is comparable to the cost of traditional metal braces. This means you can get the benefits of the Invisalign teeth straightening treatment for a similar cost to braces.

Talk with us at Cosmetic Dental and we’ll provide a specific treatment plan, including costs. You can then compare to the investment required for traditional braces and make an informed decision.

Factors that influence your treatment cost include:

  • Your treatment goals
  • The difficulty of your case
  • How long your treatment will take

In New Zealand, the cost of Invisalign treatment ranges from $5,700 to $9,000, depending on the severity of your case. Talk with us and we’ll provide a no obligation Invisalign treatment plan for you.

Patient Compliance

Because Invisalign braces give you the opportunity to take off the clear braces while eating, many patients often forget to put their braces back on. Even worse, some patients lose their braces, effectively stopping the program. Mental braces are fixed on your teeth, giving you no option but to wear them 24 hours a day. In some ways this is a good feature as it ensures you will finish the treatment with straight teeth.

Invisalign Patient Case Study

We first took the PVS impressions. We then sent the impressions to America. The Clin check was returned for Kate to review and approve.

Next the aligners were made and the attachments on and first aligners applied to Kate’s teeth.

Here’s what Kate’s teeth looked like before and after the Invisalign treatment.

Free, no obligation Invisalign consultation with Dr. Michael Kan

Find out if Invisalign is right for you with a free, 15-minute consultation with Dr. Michael Kan today. Dr. Kan will examine your smile, answer your questions about Invisalign and give you a verbal estimate for an Invisalign treatment – all at no cost and no obligation.