What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners to gradually straighten teeth without the wires, brackets, or dietary restrictions of traditional braces. Each set of aligners is worn for one to two weeks before being replaced with the next set, gently shifting teeth into their ideal position over time. At Smile Makers Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Fort Worth, Dr. Caitlin Flosi designs custom Invisalign treatment plans using digital iTero scans, delivering results that look natural and fit into busy adult and teen lifestyles.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign uses controlled, gentle pressure to move teeth into their planned positions over the course of treatment. Every case follows the same general framework, though the specifics are customized to each patient:

Step 1: Consultation and 3D Scan

Your treatment begins with a consultation with Dr. Flosi and a fast, mess-free 3D scan of your teeth using our digital iTero scanner. This replaces the traditional "goopy" impression tray and creates a precise digital model of your smile. You'll also see a preview of what your final smile will look like — before you commit to treatment.

Step 2: Custom Treatment Plan

Using your 3D scan, Dr. Flosi maps out exactly how your teeth will move throughout treatment. This treatment plan is used to fabricate a custom series of aligners designed specifically for your mouth. You'll also get a projected timeline for how long your treatment will take.

Step 3: Wearing Your Aligners

You'll wear each set of aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush your teeth. Aligners are switched to the next set in the series every one to two weeks.

Step 4: Progress Checks

Every six to eight weeks, you'll return to Smile Makers for a quick progress check — typically 15 to 20 minutes. Dr. Flosi verifies that your teeth are tracking as planned, hands out your next few aligner sets, and makes any adjustments needed.

Step 5: Retention

Once active treatment is complete, you'll wear a retainer — full-time at first, then nighttime-only — to keep your teeth in their new position permanently. Skipping retainer wear is the fastest way to undo months of Invisalign progress.

What Can Invisalign Correct?

Invisalign can address a wide range of orthodontic issues that used to require traditional metal braces:

  • Crowded teeth — when there isn't enough space for teeth to align properly
  • Gapped teeth — extra space between teeth from tooth loss, jaw growth, or natural spacing
  • Overbite — when upper front teeth extend too far over lower front teeth
  • Underbite — when lower teeth extend beyond upper teeth
  • Crossbite — when some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth when biting down
  • Open bite — when upper and lower teeth don't meet when the mouth is closed
  • Rotated teeth — individual teeth turned out of their proper alignment
  • Mild orthodontic relapse — shifting that has occurred after previous orthodontic treatment

For patients with more complex bite corrections, Dr. Flosi will discuss whether Invisalign is the right fit or whether a different approach might work better.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

For most patients, Invisalign delivers the same quality of results as traditional metal braces — with meaningful advantages in daily life:

Consideration Invisalign Traditional Braces
Appearance Nearly invisible Visible metal brackets and wires
Removable Yes — for eating, drinking, brushing No — fixed to teeth for entire treatment
Dietary restrictions None — remove to eat anything Many — no hard, sticky, or chewy foods
Cleaning teeth Easy — brush and floss normally Difficult — special tools required
Emergency visits Rare More common (broken brackets, wires)
Typical treatment time 6 to 18 months 12 to 24 months
Best for Most alignment and mild-to-moderate bite issues Severe or complex bite corrections

You can read a deeper comparison in our article on Invisalign vs. traditional braces.

Invisalign for Adults

Adult Invisalign is one of the fastest-growing orthodontic categories, and for good reason. Modern adults often want to correct issues from their teens — or address new alignment problems that have developed over time — without the professional and social impact of visible metal braces.

Common reasons adults choose Invisalign at Smile Makers include:

  • Discretion at work, in meetings, and in professional settings
  • Ability to remove aligners for important events, meals, and photos
  • Improved oral hygiene compared to fixed braces
  • Faster treatment times than they expected
  • Correction of relapse from earlier orthodontic work

Adult Invisalign timelines typically run 6 to 18 months depending on complexity. For patients pursuing broader cosmetic goals, Invisalign is often the first step in a comprehensive smile makeover that may also include teeth whitening, veneers, or cosmetic bonding.

Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign Teen is designed specifically for younger patients and includes features that account for growing mouths and evolving compliance:

  • Compliance indicators — small blue dots on each aligner fade with proper wear time, giving parents an easy way to verify their teen is wearing their aligners
  • Eruption tabs — accommodate molars that are still coming in during treatment
  • Replacement aligners included — Invisalign Teen plans typically include a set of replacement aligners at no additional cost, in case any are lost

For families, teen Invisalign offers real advantages over traditional braces: no dietary restrictions during a critical social phase, no embarrassment from visible metal, no emergency visits for broken brackets, and no interruption to sports or extracurricular activities.

Back-to-school is one of the most popular times to start Invisalign Teen. Beginning treatment in August or September aligns aligner changes with the school year and lets teens finish the year with visibly improved smiles — often in time for prom, senior photos, or graduation the following spring.

You can read our full guide on how long Invisalign takes for teens and adults for a detailed timeline breakdown.

The Smile Makers Approach to Invisalign

Choosing the right provider matters. Invisalign is a technology, but the results depend heavily on the dentist who designs and manages your treatment.

Dr. Caitlin Flosi has been recognized as a "Top Dentist" in Fort Worth and takes a personalized, planning-first approach to every Invisalign case. Patients across Fort Worth — from Tanglewood and TCU/Westcliff to Westover Hills, Clearfork, and Fairmount — choose Smile Makers because:

  • Digital iTero scanning replaces messy traditional impressions and produces more accurate treatment plans
  • Visual smile previews show you your final smile before you commit
  • Coordinated cosmetic planning — Invisalign is often integrated with other cosmetic work for a complete smile transformation
  • Comfortable, judgment-free environment with blankets, music, and a patient-first approach
  • Transparent pricing and financing options that make treatment accessible

Invisalign FAQs

How much does Invisalign cost in Fort Worth?

Invisalign in Fort Worth typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000, depending on the complexity of your case and the length of treatment. Simpler cases with fewer aligner sets cost less, while comprehensive cases requiring 40+ sets and attachments cost more. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of Invisalign treatment, and financing options like CareCredit make monthly payments manageable. Dr. Flosi will provide a detailed quote during your consultation.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Most Invisalign cases take between 6 and 18 months to complete. Mild cases finish in as little as 3 to 6 months, moderate cases typically span 9 to 15 months, and complex cases involving significant bite correction may take 18 to 24 months. Consistency matters — aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours per day for treatment to stay on schedule.

Is Invisalign as effective as traditional braces?

For the vast majority of orthodontic cases, yes. Modern Invisalign is as effective as traditional metal braces for treating crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and most rotation issues. Traditional braces still hold a slight advantage for the most severe or complex bite corrections, but this represents a small percentage of cases. Dr. Flosi will let you know honestly during your consultation whether Invisalign is the right approach for your specific case.

Does Invisalign hurt?

Most patients report mild pressure or tenderness during the first few days of each new aligner set as their teeth begin moving. This discomfort typically fades within 2 to 3 days and is far milder than the pain many patients experience with the tightening of traditional braces. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to manage any discomfort.

Can I eat and drink with Invisalign?

You'll remove your aligners to eat and drink anything other than water. This means no dietary restrictions during Invisalign treatment — you can eat foods that would be off-limits with traditional braces, including popcorn, apples, corn on the cob, and chewy candies. After eating, brush your teeth (or rinse thoroughly if brushing isn't possible) before putting aligners back in.

Will Invisalign affect my speech?

Some patients notice a very slight lisp during the first few days of wearing aligners as their tongue adjusts to the thin plastic. This almost always disappears within a week as you adapt. Most patients speak normally within a day or two.

What happens if I don't wear my aligners enough?

Wearing aligners fewer than 20 to 22 hours per day slows treatment and can knock the entire plan off track. If teeth don't move as scheduled, you may need extra aligner sets, a refinement course, or a completely revised treatment plan — extending both the timeline and the cost. Compliance is the single biggest factor within your control.

What are Invisalign attachments?

Attachments are small, tooth-colored composite bumps bonded to specific teeth to give the aligners something to grip. They allow more precise control over complex movements like rotations and vertical adjustments. Attachments are barely visible, don't affect eating or aligner removal, and are removed at the end of treatment.

Start Your Invisalign Journey in Fort Worth

Smile Makers Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provides Invisalign treatment for teens and adults across Fort Worth and the surrounding communities of Tanglewood, TCU/Westcliff, Westover Hills, Clearfork, and Fairmount. Whether you're planning ahead for a back-to-school start, considering Invisalign for the first time, or exploring your options as part of a broader smile transformation, Dr. Flosi will walk you through everything you need to know.

Schedule your Invisalign consultation with Smile Makers by calling (682) 204-4442 today.

Request Appointment | (682) 204-4442

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