Invisalign® clear aligners at Lambton Dental
Invisalign® is a system of custom-made clear plastic trays that gradually move teeth into a straighter position, without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces. At Lambton Dental in West Toronto we plan Invisalign® treatment digitally, review the projected outcome with you before you start and see you regularly through the treatment.
What is Invisalign® clear aligner treatment?
Invisalign® is a brand of clear aligner orthodontics that uses a series of thin, custom-made plastic trays to move teeth in small, planned steps. Each set of trays is worn for a period of days or weeks, then swapped for the next set in the sequence. Because the aligners are removable, patients take them out to eat, drink anything other than water and to brush and floss normally.
Treatment begins with a consultation and a digital 3D scan of the teeth. A treatment plan is designed with the manufacturer’s software, and the dentist reviews the projected tooth movements and length of treatment with you before any trays are made. Most cases also involve small tooth-coloured attachments and, in some cases, minor orthodontic refinements at the end of the plan.
When Invisalign® is the right choice
Clear aligners can be a good option when:
- You’d like to straighten mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or a mildly rotated tooth without visible metal brackets.
- You prefer a removable appliance you can take out for meals, sports or important events.
- You are able to keep aligners in for the daily wear time the plan requires (typically around 20–22 hours a day).
- You are looking to close small gaps between front teeth or refine a smile before a whitening or veneer plan.
- You want a fixed end-point with a written estimate and defined number of tray sets.
Some bites — for example, severe crowding, large jaw discrepancies, or teeth that need significant vertical movement — are better managed with traditional braces or a combined approach. The dentist reviews your scan and X-rays and explains honestly whether clear aligners will achieve the result you want.
What to expect during Invisalign® treatment
Consultation and records
The dentist reviews your smile goals, examines your teeth, gums and bite, and takes a digital 3D scan and any needed X-rays.
Treatment planning
Your case is designed on Invisalign®'s software, and the dentist reviews the projected tooth movements, estimated length and number of tray sets with you before you decide to proceed.
Attachments and delivery
Small tooth-coloured attachments are placed on selected teeth to help the trays grip and move them predictably. You receive your first sets of aligners and instructions on how to wear and care for them.
Wear and swap
You wear each tray for the interval the dentist prescribes, removing them only to eat, drink coloured beverages and clean your teeth. You return periodically so the dentist can check progress and hand over the next sets.
Refinements if needed
Near the end of the plan, the dentist re-scans and orders a small additional set of aligners if any teeth need a final touch-up so the result matches the plan.
Retainers
Once treatment finishes, custom retainers are made to hold the result. Wearing retainers as directed is the single most important step in keeping teeth straight long term.
Discomfort is usually mild during the first day or two of a new set of trays. Over-the-counter pain relief and eating softer foods for a day help. Anxious patients can discuss sedation options for the attachment appointment.
What happens after Invisalign® treatment
Once the final aligner has been worn and the dentist confirms the result, attachments are gently removed and the teeth are polished. A set of custom retainers is fitted so the result can be held. Retainers are typically worn full-time at first, then reduced to nights only — the dentist explains the schedule that suits your case and monitors it at recall visits.
Teeth naturally tend to drift back over years if retainers are not worn, so long-term retainer wear is part of every plan. Regular professional cleanings and exams also protect the result, since gum health and healthy tooth structure are what let straightened teeth stay put.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of Invisalign® depends on the complexity of your case — the number of tray sets, whether refinements are needed and the length of the plan. The dentist provides a written estimate at the consultation before any trays are ordered, and monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit for larger plans.
Many Canadian dental insurance plans include a lifetime orthodontic maximum that can be applied to clear aligners or braces. We submit predeterminations electronically so you know in advance what your plan will cover. Lambton Dental is also a provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP); orthodontic coverage under these programs depends on your eligibility and the case.
Our payment options page explains billing and financing openly.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why patients choose Lambton Dental for Invisalign®
- Every case is planned and reviewed by the dentist, not by a mail-order service — you meet the clinician who will monitor your teeth.
- The dentist reviews the projected outcome and length of treatment with you before you commit, so there are no surprises.
- Digital 3D scans replace traditional putty impressions, so records are quicker and more comfortable.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major Canadian insurance carriers wherever your plan allows.
- Evening and weekend appointments make check-in visits easy to fit around work and family.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Related services
Frequently asked questions about Invisalign®
How long does Invisalign® treatment usually take?
It depends on how much the teeth need to move. Simple cases can finish in a few months; a full arch of crowding or spacing more commonly runs closer to twelve to eighteen months. The dentist gives you an estimated length at the consultation, before any trays are ordered, based on the planned tooth movements.
How many hours a day do I need to wear the aligners?
Most Invisalign® plans call for around twenty to twenty-two hours of wear each day. Trays come out for meals, coloured drinks and brushing, and go back in the rest of the time. Wearing them consistently is what keeps treatment on schedule; skipping wear time usually adds weeks to the plan.
Do the aligners hurt?
Most people notice mild pressure or tenderness for a day or two after switching to a new set of trays as the teeth begin to move. Over-the-counter pain relief and softer foods for a day help. If discomfort is sharp or persistent, please call the office so the dentist can review your case.
Can I drink coffee or tea while wearing aligners?
Water is fine. Hot coffee, tea, red wine and coloured drinks should be consumed with the aligners out because heat can warp the plastic and dark liquids stain the trays. Removing the aligners for a coffee, rinsing your mouth and re-inserting them keeps the trays clear.
Will Invisalign® work for a complex bite problem?
Clear aligners handle mild to moderate crowding, spacing and rotations very well. Severe crowding, large jaw discrepancies or teeth that need significant vertical movement are sometimes better managed with braces or a combined approach. The dentist reviews your scan and X-rays and will tell you honestly what to expect.
Do I still need retainers after Invisalign®?
Yes. Teeth naturally tend to drift back to their previous position over the years if nothing holds them, so custom retainers are part of every plan. Wearing your retainers as directed is the single most important step in protecting the result long term.
Is Invisalign® covered by dental insurance?
Many Canadian dental plans include an orthodontic lifetime maximum that can be applied to clear aligners or braces. We submit predeterminations before treatment so you know in advance what your plan will pay, and we can review CDCP and IFHP eligibility at the consultation.
Book a complimentary Invisalign® consultation
Book online or call (416) 666-3700 to arrange a consultation. The dentist will assess your teeth and bite, discuss whether clear aligners suit you and provide a written estimate before any trays are ordered.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →