An Orthodontist's Comprehensive Guide to Invisalign in Singapore (2025)

This article will teach you everything you need to know about Invisalign in Singapore, including perennial favourites like:

• How much you can expect to pay for Invisalign treatment in Singapore—covered in greater detail in this other piece

• The complete guide to clear aligners in Singapore

• My opinion on the key differences between Invisalign and traditional braces (as someone who continues to use both for treatment on a daily basis)

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a custom-made set of transparent aligners for your teeth. They work as an undetectable alternative to traditional braces.

Each fresh set of aligners progressively pushes your teeth to the ideal position. It is important to note that your dentist determines the treatment plan, not Invisalign.

There are numerous brands of clear aligners in the Singapore market. Invisalign is, in my opinion, the most advanced and well-established.

How does a dentist become an Invisalign provider in Singapore?

Invisalign provides a three-day training seminars for dentists.

It is "easy" to start delivering Invisalign treatment as a dentist; all that is required is to attend a three-day Invisalign provider course.

Does that qualify one to provide Invisalign treatment? Perhaps for basic cases, but not for more challenging ones.

The provider's "Invisalign Status" represents their experience gained via the amount of Invisalign cases they have seen. The tiered statuses are listed below:

• Bronze (performs the least number of Invisalign cases annually)

• Silver

• Gold

• Platinum

• Platinum Elite

• Diamond

• Black diamond

• Blue Diamond (performs the largest amount of Invisalign cases annually)

Keep in mind that some clinics have multiple dentists "chalking up cases" under the same Invisalign account, making it far easier for them to achieve Black or Blue Diamond status than it would be for a single doctor's practice.

Are all invisible braces and transparent aligners same as Invisalign?

There will undoubtedly be variances in aligner material and technology between companies.

The most popular clear aligner brands available in Singapore are:

• eCligner (Korea)

• MBrace (Singaporean)

• K-Line (German)

Speaking as someone who has tried several of the more popular clear aligner brands in Singapore, I now solely use Invisalign because of its capacity to efficiently treat most types of situations, including complex ones.

For example, Invisalign pioneered the use of microscopic attachments on your teeth, allowing dentists to conduct certain sorts of tooth movement. Most alternative clear aligner systems do not offer the wide range of attachments intended specifically for Invisalign.

This is not to say that the other kinds do not work; they certainly do, especially in the hands of dentists who use them frequently.

Finding the "right treatment" for the appropriate patient, as with other aspects of dental care, is the key! If you are considering receiving aligners, you should consult with a dentist to determine which option is ideal for you.

Does Invisalign work for everybody?

Invisalign is suitable for practically everyone, including teenagers and adults. However, the first question I always ask patients who are considering Invisalign is, "Are you able to wear the aligners for 20 - 22 hours per day?"

Compliance is critical to the success of your Invisalign treatment, and I cannot emphasize this enough.

Tooth movement normally occurs within the first few days, with the remainder of the days spent repairing the bone in the locations where your teeth have shifted. Due to a lack of wear, I've seen cases only progress 20% in one year. We had to switch the patient to fixed braces by the end of the day.

The second most essential element is the complexity of your case; if it is overly complex, you may be better off using traditional braces or combining the two methods.

Everyone is unique, thus it is critical to thoroughly examine all treatment choices with your dentist before beginning any procedure.

How quickly does Invisalign work?

Typically, the normal Invisalign course lasts around 9-18 months, however most of my patients notice changes after wearing their retainers for two to three months.

For the best results, you should wear your aligners for 20 - 22 hours per day, but I find that 18 - 20 hours works just as well - a relaxing long supper after a hard day's work is always well deserved.

Traditionally, you would need to change your aligners every two weeks, resulting in a total treatment time of one to two years, depending on how many sets of aligners you were given.

However, Invisalign is currently advocating weekly aligner adjustments to shorten the overall treatment duration.

Factors that determine your eligibility for faster aligner changes include:

• How consistently you wear your aligners

• How challenging are your teeth movements?

• Whether you need extractions

• Because of increased cell activity, younger patients' teeth move faster than older individuals

I still advise my patients to begin with two weekly changes, but I am occasionally able to lower the number of days between changes based on their development and the amount of use.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost in Singapore?

In Singapore, Invisalign costs between $8000 and $9500 for treatment by an orthodontist. Many dentists are delighted to provide free treatment cost estimates based on your condition.

This post provides a more detailed explanation about Invisalign costs in Singapore.

To summarize, the cost of Invisalign varies based on:

1. Complexity and length of treatment

2. The dentist or orthodontist you decide to see. Orthodontists (specialists) may charge more since they receive an additional three years of specialized training in orthodontics (braces therapy)

3. Your Invisalign "package"

   • Invisalign i7 (lowest) - Provides up to 7 aligners; the most affordable package offered by Invisalign

   • Invisalign Lite - Includes up to 14 aligners and a treatment time of about 6 to 7 months. Used for basic situations or teeth that have displaced somewhat since previous braces treatment

   • Invisalign Full (most expensive) - Used in more difficult cases requiring multiple aligners. Allows for improvements

Why don't I use Invisalign i7 and Invisalign Lite for easy cases?

Almost all of the patients I see use Invisalign Full.

For uncomplicated instances requiring three to five aligners, I can produce in-house aligners at a far lesser cost than Invisalign. I can achieve this thanks to the use of an intra-oral scanner, which allows us to produce a digital model and personalized aligners for your teeth.

I leave more complex cases requiring more than five aligners to the experts at Invisalign.

I also rarely use Invisalign Lite since it demands extremely rigorous compliance. The treatment will fail if you do not wear your aligners properly.

If this happens, you will end up paying more than you anticipated.

Will Invisalign treatment be faster and less expensive if my teeth have shifted after my previous braces treatment?

Most "relapse cases" will be straightforward, and your Invisalign treatment will be shorter than your original braces treatment.

The duration and cost of treatment for recurrence instances are determined by:

• How much have your teeth shifted?

• The type of tooth movement and the time required to bring them to an optimal location

It is important to remember that while treatment may be shorter in duration (e.g., 8 to 10 months instead of 18 to 24 months), prices may not be lower if it falls under an Invisalign Full case.

To have a better understanding, describe your issue directly to dentists, who will be able to advise you on treatment duration and expenses.

If your teeth are only slightly shifted, you will still have choices for realignment, such as Invisalign Lite and in-house aligners or retainers.

What are the advantages of Invisalign versus traditional braces?

There are advantages and disadvantages to each treatment approach.

As an orthodontist who uses both methods, I created this summary to help you understand the differences as best as possible.

Appearance:

• Invisalign: Virtually invisible or clear

• Traditional fixed braces: Metal or ceramic braces are glued on the exterior surfaces of teeth

Maintenance of teeth:

• Invisalign: Easy to maintain; simply remove the aligner while brushing

• Traditional fixed braces: Maintaining proper dental hygiene becomes more difficult, and brushing and flossing takes longer

Maintenance of appliances:

• Invisalign: Easy to maintain, with a brush aligner that keeps things clean. Change to a new aligner every one to two weeks

• Traditional fixed braces: Brushing around brackets and wires requires specific brushes and floss. Waterpik devices are advised

Take special measures while eating:

• Invisalign: None, aligners are removed when eating.

• Traditional fixed braces: It is advised to avoid eating hard and sticky meals, and you may need to cut food into smaller pieces at times

Breakage of appliances:

• Invisalign: Rarely, tearing of the aligners may occur in locations where the teeth are extremely misaligned. Attachments may dislodge infrequently

• Traditional fixed braces: If not careful when eating, brackets or braces can break off, or the wire can poke, requiring an additional appointment to the orthodontist

Comfort:

• Invisalign: Very comfortable

• Traditional fixed braces: Less comfortable

Frequency of review visits:

• Invisalign: Less frequent visits are required, ranging from 4 to 10 weekly

• Traditional fixed braces: Every four weeks or once a month

Ability to treat various types of cases:

• Invisalign: Difficulty with complex instances, such as very deep bites or jaw surgery. Not impossible, but may necessitate a brief term with fixed braces to aid treatment

• Traditional fixed braces: Capable of treating various types of cases

Depending on compliance:

• Invisalign: Very dependent on excellent aligner wear of 20–22 hours

• Traditional fixed braces: Minimum compliance necessary

How long will treatment take?

• Invisalign: It depends on the complexity of the situation, the patient's age, and how effectively aligners are worn

• Traditional fixed braces: Depends on the complexity of the issue and the patient's age

Need for retainers:

• Invisalign: Yes

• Traditional fixed braces: Yes

Cost

• Invisalign: Higher costs (due to lab expenses)

• Traditional fixed braces: More affordable

Treatment Duration: Invisalign vs Traditional Braces

The entire treatment time for Invisalign and traditional braces is the same.

Despite popular belief that Invisalign takes longer, the treatment times are relatively similar.

However, I constantly warn my Invisalign patients that their teeth may not straighten out right away. Space must be established first before the teeth can be straightened, which takes time.

Traditional braces, on the other hand, have wires that begin to function immediately after the brackets are set into your teeth. First, teeth are aligned, then spaces are closed. Some people notice an improvement in their alignment by their next appointment!

If you have friends who have told you that their Invisalign treatment took considerably longer than expected, it is most likely because they did not follow their dentist's recommendations closely!

What I've discovered in my patients is that after the novelty wears off, folks tend to become lazier about their aligner wear. Their teeth no longer move as well as they once did, necessitating the use of extra aligners and treatment duration.

Are the benefits of Invisalign versus braces purely cosmetic?

Although cosmetics are Invisalign's main selling point, I believe that uncomplicated tooth hygiene upkeep and the ability to eat whatever you want are strong challengers.

Many Singaporeans live to eat (rather than eating to live!), and having fixed braces makes it tough to enjoy all of your favorite dishes. This is due to traditional braces:

• You may need to cut your food into smaller pieces at times

• Avoiding hard and sticky foods is strongly advised to avoid breakages - I've had several patients come in for spontaneous appointments due to brace breakages caused by unexpectedly biting into a popcorn kernel that was hiding in their popcorn during a movie!

• Maintaining oral hygiene is tough, especially for individuals who are prone to tooth decay or struggle with proper oral hygiene. To prevent future tooth decay or gum disease, you must thoroughly clean the area around the brackets and wires

Additionally, wearing Invisalign aligners at night protects against grinding, and some of my patients with TMJ symptoms report relief. If you want to learn more, see an orthodontist. Your condition determines which treatment is most beneficial for you.

Is there any cosmetic choice for braces besides Invisalign?

Some orthodontists also provide lingual braces. One example is the Incognito system, which is probably more "aesthetic" and undetectable than Invisalign.

However, lingual braces cost more than Invisalign. It might also create additional discomfort because the braces on the inside infringe on your tongue space.

Lingual braces are only recommended in extremely few situations.

What is involved in beginning Invisalign treatment?

Once you and your dentist have decided on the treatment plan (e.g., whether extractions or interproximal stripping are required), you must take:

• X-rays of the teeth and jaws

• Photos of your facial profile and grin

• An impression or digital scan of your teeth

All of this information will then be sent to an Invisalign technician, who will process it and create a Clincheck plan for you.

The Clincheck is a three-dimensional video of your projected tooth movement. It simulates the end result that you can expect once treatment is completed.

While some dentists may be hesitant to share the Clincheck results with you, I always encourage my patients to make the extra journey down to discuss their Clincheck.

This additional conversation enables me to:

• Obtain their feedback on hypothetical outcomes to better understand their demands

• Determine their comfort level with the location and appearance of the attachments

• Give patients a rough sense of how many aligners they have, and how long their treatment will last

Once the Clincheck is authorized, Invisalign will produce and ship your aligners in two weeks.

Is the Invisalign treatment painful?

In general, Invisalign causes less pain than traditional braces.

Having stated that, any tooth movement will result in discomfort. This typically manifests as an aching sensation in your teeth, particularly while eating.

The soreness only lasts a few days. I compare it to getting a new pair of shoes! It aches a little at first, but once you get used to wearing them, they become quite comfortable.

Can you prevent getting Invisalign attachments on your teeth?

Invisalign attachments are small, tooth-coloured bumps that are implanted on your teeth. They vary in shape and size based on the desired tooth movement.

Attachments help by:

• Improving the grip of your aligners

• Enabling better tooth movement

In the past, I did my best to accommodate patients who were strongly opposed to having attachments placed on their front teeth.

However, I've discovered that for specific tooth movements, attachments are required to move the tooth successfully. You can check with your dentist to determine if you still need them!

Will crowns, bonding, or veneers affect my Invisalign treatment?

This is not an issue with Invisalign. Teeth with crowns/bonding or veneers can move just as easily.

The sole worry is that the glaze on your crowns/veneers may be disturbed or removed during the attachment placement/removal process.

One solution is to avoid using attachments on teeth having crowns or veneers. Your dentist or orthodontist can go over this with you.

Will having dental implants affect my Invisalign treatment?

Dental implants are permanently attached to the bone and cannot be relocated. Your orthodontist will have to work around the placement of the implants.

Will the results of Invisalign treatment endure forever?

Yes, but only if you use your retainers on a regular basis. This applies to all types of orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces.

The objective of retainers is to hold your teeth in their new position. Without retainers, your teeth will shift, and you will lose the excellent results you have worked so hard to obtain.

To me, retainers are more crucial than the Invisalign therapy itself. I see so many patients return for orthodontic treatment for the second or third time simply because they did not use their retainers.

What are your retainer alternatives after Invisalign?

You have two major alternatives for retainers after your Invisalign treatment:

1. Removable retainers include translucent retainers and more typical retainers with a wire across the outer surfaces of your teeth (Hawley retainers). Invisalign also offers its own Vivera retainers, which may be ordered once treatment is completed. Retainers must be used for at least six months continuously (day and night). They are only removed when eating, brushing teeth, or participating in active sports, similar to Invisalign.

2. Fixed retainers consist of a thin wire connected to the inside surface of your front six teeth.

How to Select the Best Invisalign Provider for Your Needs

I would propose that you contact a couple dentists or orthodontists. This helps you to discover someone who can answer all of your questions and discuss all of the therapy options accessible to you.

At the end of the day, I feel that open communication between you and your doctor is the most effective method to guarantee that your treatment runs smoothly and successfully. Please ensure that you are completely comfortable with the treatment plan provided by your Invisalign specialist.