Invisalign and clear aligners in South Edmonton

Direct billingCDCP registeredWho you see: Dr. Osborne

Invisalign straightens teeth with a series of clear, removable aligners. Each one is worn for a week or two before you move to the next. They come out to eat and to brush, and most people will not notice you are wearing them.

What it isA series of clear removable aligners How longSix months for mild cases, longer for complex What it costsGone over with you before any work Who you seeDr. Osborne

What happens

How treatment runs

Most of it happens at home. The appointments are short and spaced out.

AssessmentWe check whether aligners can do what you want, and are straight with you if they cannot.

Digital scanYour teeth are scanned rather than moulded, and the plan is built on that scan.

See the plan firstYou see the projected movement before you commit, including roughly how long it will take.

AttachmentsSmall tooth-coloured bumps are bonded to some teeth so the aligners have something to grip. They are not invisible up close, and they come off at the end.

Wear themAround 20 to 22 hours a day, changing to the next aligner every week or two. Time out of them is the main reason cases run late.

Check-insYou come back every so often so we can see the teeth are tracking the plan. Catching a tooth that is lagging early saves months.

RefinementsMost cases need a short second set at the end to finish the detail. It is normal and it is planned for, not a sign anything went wrong.

RetainerTeeth drift back without one. A retainer at the end is not optional, it is part of the treatment.

Want to know if you are a candidate?Request Appointment Call 780-434-8749

What it costs

Invisalign cost, without the surprise.

What Invisalign costs depends on how far the teeth have to move, because that sets how many aligners you need. We go over the quote with you before any work is done.

Direct billingWe bill your insurer directly wherever your plan allows it, so in most cases there is nothing for you to claim back yourself.

Only what you needWe do not add procedures to make up a number. If something can safely be watched rather than treated, we will say so and you will not be billed for it.

CDCP registeredHeritage Dental Centre is a registered provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, so if you are covered by it you can be seen here.

No surprise billingWe make every attempt to get the most out of your insurance plan.

Is it for you

What clear aligners handle well

Aligners move teeth in small steps. They suit some problems very well and others not at all, and we will tell you which yours is.

CrowdingTeeth overlapping because there is not quite enough room is the most common reason adults start treatment.

Gaps between teethSpaces can be closed and the teeth held in the new position with a retainer.

Teeth that have shifted backVery common in people who had braces as teenagers and stopped wearing the retainer.

A bite that meets unevenlyMild bite problems can be improved. Significant ones are usually a referral, and we will say so rather than start something that will not finish.

Not for everythingSeverely rotated teeth, large bite discrepancies and some jaw problems need fixed braces or a specialist. Honest is better than optimistic here.

Provided by your dentistThere is no orthodontist at this practice. Invisalign here is provided by Dr. Osborne, one of our general dentists.

Clear aligners, or fixed braces?

Clear aligners

What to expect

Removable, so you eat and brush normally.
Barely visible in normal conversation.
No wires to break, so fewer emergency visits.
Only works while you are wearing them.
Not suitable for the most complex movements.

Fixed braces

What to expect

Handles complex cases aligners cannot.
Works whether or not you remember anything.
Visible, which is the usual objection from adults.
Food restrictions, and brushing takes longer.
Usually a referral rather than something we provide here.

The honest summary: aligners win on living with them, fixed braces win on what they can move. Which matters more depends on your teeth, not your preference.

Living with them

Four things people wish they had known

None of these are reasons not to do it. They are the things that decide whether treatment finishes on time.

The hours are the treatmentTwenty to twenty two hours a day. Take them out for meals and put them straight back. Treatment stretches out when they sit in a pocket.

Brush before they go back inAn aligner traps whatever is on the teeth against them for hours. Brushing after eating matters more than usual.

Nothing but water while wearing themCoffee and tea stain the plastic, and anything sugary sits held against the enamel.

A lisp for a few daysCommon at the start and it passes as your tongue adjusts. Reading aloud speeds it up.

Who you will see

Who does this at Heritage

Dr. David Osborne

General and family dentistry

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Opens at 8am, Monday to Saturday

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We're easy to reach.

780-434-8749

2118 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6J 7C1
In Heritage Square, right next to the IDA Pharmacy

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New and returning patients, our front desk will call you to confirm availability.

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FAQ

Can I pay for Invisalign over time?

We offer in-house payment arrangements to long-time patients. Orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign, is financed over the course of treatment.

How long does treatment take?

It depends entirely on how much the teeth need to move. Minor crowding can be a few months; more complex cases run over a year. You are given a projected timeline before you start.

How many hours a day do I have to wear them?

Around 20 to 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat and to clean your teeth. Treatment slows down or stalls if they are worn less, which is the single biggest factor in whether it finishes on schedule.

Is it as effective as fixed braces?

For many cases yes. Fixed braces still have the advantage in some complex movements, particularly significant rotations or bite corrections. An assessment establishes which is appropriate before anything is committed to.

Do I need a retainer afterwards?

Yes, and this matters. Teeth drift back towards their original position without one, regardless of how the straightening was done. A retainer protects the result.

Does it hurt?

There is usually pressure and mild tenderness for a day or two after moving to a new aligner. That sensation is the teeth moving, and it settles quickly.