Invisalign treatment: a clear alternative to braces
The Invisalign system, made by Align Technology, offers a clear, removable alternative to fixed metal braces.
At the dental clinic in Jerusalem, Dr Haim Aseriel carries out a full assessment before treatment and uses a digital intraoral scanner (Shining 3D Aoralscan 3), with no impression putty, to build a personalized treatment plan. The consultation is held in English, so every step of the Invisalign process can be discussed in detail.
Certified Invisalign provider
Dr Haim Aseriel has been a certified Invisalign provider since 2014 and is also certified in Spark aligners (Ormco).
What are Invisalign aligners, and who are they for?
Invisalign is based on a series of custom-made clear aligners (trays) made of thermoplastic material. Unlike classic metal braces, the aligners are barely visible and can be removed for eating and brushing.
Invisalign mainly suits patients with mild to moderate crowding (crooked teeth), gaps between the teeth and bite problems that are not complex.
In a review of the scientific literature, 79% of the included studies reported results obtained with the Invisalign system, and the review found aligners effective for resolving mild to moderate crowding (Muro et al., Int Orthod, 2023). The system is used for both adults and teenagers.
More complex cases usually call for fixed braces, such as clear ceramic braces.
Benefits of Invisalign clear aligners
Compared with fixed metal braces, Invisalign, a form of straightening without brackets, offers aesthetic and practical advantages.
- Appearance: clear aligners, barely visible when you talk or smile.
- Comfort: no wires or brackets rubbing against the cheeks and lips.
- Easier hygiene: the aligners come out for brushing and flossing.
An Invisalign aligner is only 0.76 mm thick on each dental arch (Olteanu et al., Medicina, 2025).
How to prepare for Invisalign treatment
Before Invisalign treatment, a thorough assessment of your oral health is needed. Treatment starts only with healthy teeth: no active tooth decayand no gum inflammation.
The dentist builds a step-by-step treatment plan; in complex cases, consulting an orthodontist is also recommended.
Crowding or spacing of more than 5 mm is considered a contraindication for clear aligner treatment and may call for fixed orthodontic braces instead (Katib et al., Cureus, 2024).
Why? Large movements require forces and control that are hard to achieve with clear aligners alone.
The Invisalign process, step by step
Invisalign works by switching to a new aligner every one to two weeks, each aligner moving the teeth a small step toward the planned position.
The process starts with a digital scan and a computer simulation of the treatment result. Once the patient approves the plan, the series of aligners is made to measure. At check-ups, held every few weeks depending on the stage of treatment, the dentist checks progress. According to a systematic review, clear aligners level and align the dental arches well and are effective at intruding (pushing in) the front teeth; extrusion (pulling a tooth out), on the other hand, is the hardest movement to control, with only about 30% accuracy (Rossini et al., Angle Orthod, 2015).
What does an Invisalign treatment plan include?
The plan usually includes a digital scan, a custom series of aligners, regular follow-up visits and a retainer at the end of treatment.
Complementary cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, can be planned alongside straightening.
Invisalign cost: what makes up the price?
There is no single price for Invisalign: the price follows your individual treatment plan, and you receive a detailed written estimate after the consultation. The main factors are:
- Number of aligners: depends on the complexity of the case and the amount of movement needed.
- Treatment time: two comparative studies measured an average treatment time with clear aligners of about 14.5 months in adults (Alam et al., 2024) and about 18 months in teenagers (Aref et al., 2024); mild cases finish sooner.
- Refinement aligners: an extra series is sometimes needed to fine-tune the result, depending on progress at check-ups.
- Retainer at the end: a custom retainer that keeps the result.
The clinic provides itemized receipts that you can submit to your insurer; whether orthodontic treatment received in Israel is reimbursed depends on your policy, so check with your insurer before you start.
How to improve the chances of success with Invisalign
The key condition for successful Invisalign treatment is wearing the aligners at least 22 hours a day (AAO).
Depending on the treatment plan, Class II elastics attached to the aligners are sometimes used as well, to help correct the bite (Katib et al., Cureus, 2024).
22
hours of wear a day, at least
Put the aligners back right after meals and brushing: the 22 hours count over the whole day.
Unlike fixed braces, Invisalign requires daily discipline: wearing the aligners less than prescribed lengthens treatment, and treatment length is one of the factors behind the cost of teeth straightening.
The aligners are barely visible in conversation at a normal distance. Small tooth-colored bumps bonded to the teeth (attachments), sometimes needed to control certain movements, may be slightly visible, especially on the front teeth.
The manufacturer states that the system can correct rotations of up to 40° in the central incisors, but according to a systematic review few studies support this, and the measured rotation accuracy for canines was about 36% (Galan-Lopez et al., Korean J Orthod, 2019).
Pressure and mild soreness in the first days after switching aligners are a normal reaction; according to a review in the Journal of the American Dental Association, most patients report discomfort lasting a day or two (Buttke & Proffit, JADA, 1999).
The aligners are smooth and do not rub the cheeks the way metal braces can. Ask your dentist or pharmacist which pain reliever is suitable for you, and contact the clinic if an aligner cracks or gets lost, or if the pain is severe or lasts.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Invisalign near you in Jerusalem: the clinic's approach
Dr Haim Aseriel, a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry, follows each patient from the first consultation to the retainer stage.
The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, open Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00. You can read what patients say on the reviews page.
Invisalign: frequently asked questions
Invisalign treatment is mainly suited to mild to moderate crowding, gaps between the teeth and bite problems that are not complex. Crowding or spacing of more than 5 mm is considered a contraindication for clear aligners, and fixed braces are usually more appropriate in those cases. Invisalign is used for both adults and teenagers.
Before Invisalign treatment starts, the mouth must be healthy: no active tooth decay and no gum inflammation. Preparation therefore includes treating any existing dental problems first, followed by a digital scan used to plan the movement of the teeth.
With Invisalign, patients usually move to the next aligner in the series every one to two weeks, according to the treatment plan and the dentist's instructions. Each aligner moves the teeth a small step toward the position planned in the digital simulation.
Teeth tending to move back toward their old position is a known effect after any orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. That is why a retainer is worn after treatment, as instructed by the dentist, usually at night and over the long term; it is the main way to keep the result.
During Invisalign treatment there is no restriction on what you eat, because the aligners are taken out for every meal. They are also removed to drink anything other than water, and put back after brushing, so that they are worn at least 22 hours a day (AAO).
Sources
- American Association of Orthodontists, Clear Aligners – View source
- AlMogbel A, Journal of Orthodontic Science, 2023 – View source
- Rossini G et al., Angle Orthodontist, 2015 – View source
- Muro MP et al., International Orthodontics, 2023 – View source
- Katib HS et al., Cureus, 2024 – View source
- Olteanu ND et al., Medicina (Kaunas), 2025 – View source
- Galan-Lopez L et al., Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 2019 – View source
- Alam MK et al., Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 2024 – View source
- Aref S, Ravuri P et al., Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 2024 – View source
- Buttke TM & Proffit WR, Journal of the American Dental Association, 1999 – View source
Invisalign is a trademark of Align Technology, Inc.
