Terminal Park Dental
4-1559 Estevan Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 3Y3
General dental practice. Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations are available.
Invisalign treatment guide
Invisalign treatment in Nanaimo: what matters beyond clear plastic
A clear aligner is the delivery system. Diagnosis, digital planning, prescribed wear, monitoring and retention determine whether the system is used well.
Diagnosis before applianceThis page supports informed questions. It cannot examine you or determine treatment suitability.
The plain answer
Invisalign may be a strong option when the required movements, patient habits and monitoring plan fit the case.
Invisalign uses a sequence of removable aligners made from digital treatment planning. The fact that an aligner can be manufactured does not prove that the planned movement is appropriate or that the teeth will follow the simulation exactly.
Ask how the provider evaluated the bite, what attachments or enamel reduction may be required, how progress is checked, what happens when an aligner does not fit, and how many refinements are included. Consistent wear—typically around 20 to 22 hours a day unless your provider instructs otherwise—is not an optional extra.
Participating Nanaimo offices
Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations in two parts of Nanaimo
This website remains a regional educational resource. Both offices offer Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations. Choose the location that is most convenient for you.
Eagle Point Dental
1-6304 Dover Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1S4
General dental practice. Invisalign and clear-aligner consultations are available.
What matters
Key points before you act
Use these as a decision filter at a real consultation.
Clinical fit
Aligners must be capable of the required tooth movements and bite correction, not only the cosmetic goal.
Human planning
Software visualizes a plan; a licensed provider remains responsible for diagnosis, staging, monitoring and changes.
Wear and tracking
The aligners can only express the plan while seated. Fit problems should be reported rather than hidden until the next visit.
Finishing and retention
A digital simulation is not the final result. The bite, contacts, health and retainer plan must still be assessed clinically.
From scan to approved plan
A scan records the surfaces of the teeth. The provider then reviews the desired tooth positions, sequence of movement, attachments, interproximal reduction, overcorrections and bite goals. Ask whether the provider personally modifies and approves the treatment plan.
A preview can be useful for communication, but it is a planned animation—not a guarantee. Teeth, periodontal tissues and patient wear can respond differently from the simulation.
Daily life with removable aligners
Most patients remove aligners for meals and oral hygiene, store them safely, and reinsert them promptly. Water is generally the simplest drink while aligners are in place; coloured, acidic, sugary or hot drinks can create hygiene or material problems.
The apparent convenience transfers responsibility to the patient. A realistic comparison should include school, work, sport, travel, snacking and the ability to keep the trays clean and accounted for.
When progress changes
Small gaps between the aligner and tooth, a missing attachment or a tray that will not seat can signal tracking difficulty. The correct response may be more wear, a previous tray, attachment repair, a new scan or a revised plan—but that decision belongs to the treating provider.
Do not jump ahead through aligners to make up time. Movement must follow a biological sequence, and forcing the schedule can make the fit worse.
Cost and scope
The brand name alone does not define the fee. Treatment complexity, provider time, number of aligners, refinements, replacements, records and retention all matter.
Ask for a written scope that explains what happens if the first series does not complete the case, whether retainers are included, and whether the quoted fee changes when treatment extends.
Questions to take to a consultation
- What diagnosis is the aligner plan treating beyond the front teeth?
- Who approves and adjusts the digital treatment plan?
- What wear schedule, change interval and monitoring rhythm are prescribed for me?
- How are attachments, IPR, lost trays and tracking problems handled?
- How many refinement phases and what type of retainers are included?
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Is Invisalign the same as every clear aligner system?
No. Invisalign is a brand. Systems differ in materials, software, records, provider workflow, monitoring and revision options.
How many hours a day are Invisalign aligners worn?
The treating provider sets the instructions. Invisalign’s Canadian FAQ says people typically wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day.
Does Invisalign always avoid attachments?
No. Tooth-coloured attachments and interproximal reduction may be part of the prescribed mechanics.
Can Invisalign treat every bite?
No universal claim is responsible. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, movement requirements, growth, health, patient cooperation and provider judgement.
Primary references
Sources used for this guide
External sources can change. Verify current regulatory and product information at the linked publisher.
- How Invisalign treatment works ↗Align Technology
- Invisalign aligner frequently asked questions ↗Align Technology
- Retainers after Invisalign treatment ↗Align Technology
- Search the BCCOHP public registry ↗British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals