Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Invisalign® Clear Aligners use a series of clear, custom-fitted trays to gradually shift teeth into a straighter position without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces. At 1st Family Dental in Chicago, IL, this option is available as part of a broader range of orthodontic and cosmetic services for patients who want to straighten their smile with an appliance that is removable and hard to notice in everyday conversation.

What Invisalign® Clear Aligners is

Invisalign is a clear aligner system made from smooth, medical-grade plastic. Instead of a single fixed appliance, patients wear a sequence of aligners, each one slightly different from the last, that apply gentle, targeted pressure to move teeth in small increments. As the teeth respond to one aligner, the patient moves on to the next in the series, continuing the process until the planned movement is complete.

This approach grew out of the same goals as traditional braces — correcting crowding, spacing, and bite alignment — but without bonded brackets or wires. Because the aligners are removable, patients can take them out to eat, brush, and floss normally, which is a meaningful difference from fixed appliances that stay on the teeth throughout treatment.

How we use it at 1st Family Dental

Invisalign treatment at 1st Family Dental typically begins with digital 3D impressions captured on our iTero Element Scanner, which records the shape of the teeth and gums without the messy putty trays used in older impression methods. This same scan can also generate a preview of how your smile may look as treatment progresses, giving you and your provider a shared reference point for planning.

Orthodontic evaluation and treatment planning can be supported by digital and panoramic X-rays already used on-site, which help confirm tooth position, root angles, and jaw relationships before a series of aligners is designed. Because 1st Family Dental has orthodontists and general dentists with recorded training in clear aligner therapy — including providers experienced specifically with Invisalign — patients can have their case reviewed by someone familiar with this treatment approach.

Invisalign is offered alongside our other orthodontic options, including traditional braces, lingual braces, and retainers, so if your case calls for a different appliance, that conversation can happen in the same visit.

What it means for you

Clear aligners offer a few practical advantages that patients often value:

Removability — aligners come out for eating, brushing, and flossing, which can make daily hygiene routines feel more familiar than with fixed braces.
Lower visibility — the clear plastic is far less noticeable than metal brackets and wires, which matters to patients who prefer a discreet appliance.
Smooth fit — without brackets or wire ends, there is generally less irritation to the inside of the cheeks and lips.
Digital planning — a digital scan means no messy impression material and a clearer picture of the plan before treatment starts.

These are general characteristics of clear aligner therapy and how it is commonly experienced by patients; every case is different, and your provider can talk through what to expect for your specific bite and goals.

What to expect during your visit

A first visit for Invisalign usually starts with an exam of your teeth and bite, along with the digital scan on the iTero Element Scanner to capture the current position of your teeth. From that scan, a treatment plan is developed, mapping out the series of aligners you will wear over the coming months.

Once your aligners are ready, you will be shown how to insert and remove them and how many hours per day they should be worn. Most patients move to a new aligner in the series on a schedule set by their provider, with periodic check-in visits to confirm the teeth are tracking as planned and to hand off the next aligners. These visits are generally brief, since there is no wire tightening or bracket adjustment involved.

Toward the end of treatment, your provider will talk with you about retainers to help hold the new position of your teeth, which is a service also offered at 1st Family Dental.

Frequently asked questions

Is Invisalign treatment safe?

Yes. Clear aligners are made of smooth medical-grade plastic and are custom-fitted to your teeth, so they do not involve the brackets or wire ends that can sometimes irritate the mouth. As with any orthodontic treatment, your provider will monitor your teeth and gums throughout the process.

Does wearing aligners hurt?

Some patients feel mild pressure for a day or two after switching to a new aligner in the series, which is a normal sign that the aligner is doing its job. This sensation is generally temporary and tends to ease as the teeth adjust.

How often do I need to wear my aligners?

Clear aligners are typically worn for most of the day and night, and removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing and flossing. Consistent wear, along with keeping up with your scheduled check-ins, helps keep your treatment moving through the planned series of aligners.

Who is a good candidate for clear aligners?

Many teens and adults with crowding, spacing, or mild-to-moderate bite concerns are candidates for clear aligner therapy. Because every mouth is different, an in-person exam and digital scan are the best way to find out whether Invisalign or another orthodontic option, such as traditional or lingual braces, is the right fit for you.

If you are curious whether Invisalign Clear Aligners are a good fit for your smile, reach out to 1st Family Dental to schedule a visit and discuss your options.