What questions do people ask about Invisalign?

Beyond cost, timing and comfort — which we cover in their own guides — most Invisalign consultations come down to the same handful of practical questions about living with aligners day to day. Here are honest answers to the ones we hear most often.

Can I eat and drink normally?

Aligners come out for every meal, so nothing is off the menu — unlike fixed braces, there are no brackets to break. Water is the only drink you keep them in for; anything hot can warp the plastic, and coffee, tea and red wine will stain them.

The habit most patients build within a week: out for eating, a quick rinse or brush, back in. That is also why many people snack less during treatment, which patients tend to count as a bonus.

How many hours a day do I really need to wear them?

Twenty to twenty-two hours. That is the number that decides whether treatment finishes on time. Worn less, each aligner stops tracking the planned movement, and the correction has to be made up later — either by wearing that aligner longer or by remaking part of the plan.

In practice that leaves roughly two hours a day for meals and cleaning. Most people find the routine easier than they expected; the difficulty is usually remembering to put them back in, not keeping them out.

Will it affect how I speak?

A slight lisp for the first few days of treatment is common as your tongue adjusts to the aligner's edges, and it almost always settles within a week. Reading aloud or a long phone call on day one speeds the adjustment up noticeably.

What are attachments, and will I need them?

• Small tooth-coloured bumps, bonded to certain teeth so the aligner can grip and turn them
• Most cases need a few; they are matched to your enamel and hard to spot at conversational distance
• They feel unusual to your tongue for a day or two, then you stop noticing them
• They are polished off completely at the end of treatment, leaving the tooth as it was

How do I keep the aligners clean?

Rinse them every time they come out, and clean them morning and night with a soft brush and cool water — never hot. Toothpaste is too abrasive and leaves them cloudy; a clear aligner cleaning solution or tablet a few times a week keeps them fresh. Clean aligners stay clear; neglected ones are what people actually notice.

How often will I need to come in?

Reviews are usually every six to eight weeks and take around twenty minutes — we check the aligners are tracking, make any small adjustments and hand over your next sets. For patients travelling from Richmond, Kingston or further into Surrey, we can often combine reviews with remote check-ins to reduce the number of visits.

What happens if I lose an aligner?

Call the practice the same day. Depending on where you are in that aligner's fortnight, we will either move you on to the next set early or order a replacement. Keep your previous aligner when you change — it is your safety net, and it keeps the teeth where they are while a replacement arrives.

Ask us yours

If your question is not here, that is what the consultation is for. Book at our Twickenham practice, or call and we will talk it through — no commitment, and no question too small.