Your Clear Treatment Option
Invisalign is a series of removable orthodontic aligners made from clear material that can straighten teeth just like braces do – only without the metal brackets and wires.
Clear aligners work by gently applying controlled pressure to your teeth in different areas of your mouth, during different parts of your treatment.
Invisalign can be a great orthodontic treatment option for teens and adults who'd prefer a lower-profile option in terms of aesthetics, and the convenience of removable aligners.
Because they are transparent, Invisalign aligners are barely noticeable. And because they're removable, you can eat all of your favorite foods and easily brush, floss, and maintain your oral health just like you normally would.
Flexible Payment Plans
At Karl Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to a healthier smile. To help our patients manage the cost of orthodontic treatment, we offer flexible payment plans.
Invisalign Options for Teens & Adults
Invisalign offers the following treatment options to meet the unique needs of teens and adults.
Book Free ConsultationInvisalign Teen
For teens who are concerned about the aesthetics of metal braces, Invisalign aligners may be an ideal orthodontic treatment option.
Invisalign for Adults
Many of our adult patients love the barely-there appearance and convenience of Invisalign's removable orthodontic aligners.
Benefits of Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign has been designed with a number of great features that can help make your orthodontic treatment go more smoothly.

Smooth Construction
Invisalign aligners are made completely of smooth material, meaning you'll experience no irritation or discomfort from metal wires or brackets.
The aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high-molecular-weight polyurethane resins that are BPA free.
Low-Profile Aesthetics
For patients concerned about how their orthodontic treatment will look, Invisalign can be a great choice.
Invisalign aligners are made of a clear, lightweight material, and are nearly invisible when worn. The casual observer may not even notice you're wearing them!


Removable Aligners
Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can take them out before each meal, so that you can enjoy all your favorite foods without limitation.
You can also take the aligners out to brush and floss your teeth, so your oral hygiene routine will be unaffected.


No Adjustment Appointments Needed
Invisalign aligners don't need to be adjusted like braces do. Instead, you just switch from one set of aligners to the next in the series as prescribed by your orthodontist.
Of course, you'll still need to visit us for checkups to assess your progress, but you'll definitely save time on those adjustment appointments!
Digital Impressions with iTero
At our Grand Rapids orthodontic clinic, we use the iTero 3D scanner to take digital impressions of your smile – and show you your projected results – in preparation for Invisalign treatment.
iTero impressions are minimally nonintrusive and don't require any goopy impression material like physical impressions do.

The Invisalign Treatment Process
Wondering how it all works? Here's what to expect during your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.
Initial Consultation
At your initial consultation, Dr. Karl will perform an exam and imaging to diagnose your orthodontic condition and design a custom treatment plan just for you. He and his team will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the practical and financial aspects of your Invisalign treatment.
The Treatment Plan
Based on the findings from your exam and your digital scan, Dr. Karl will develop a comprehensive Invisalign treatment plan that will chart the precise movements of your teeth at each stage, and the approximate duration of your treatment. Your clear, custom aligners will then be made by Invisalign at a lab using 3D printing technology.
Wearing Your Aligners
For the duration of your treatment, you'll wear your aligners every day, only removing them for a total of about two hours a day, to eat, or to brush and floss your teeth. About every other week or so, you'll change from one aligner to the next in the series. Gradually, your smile will begin to transform as your teeth shift into their prescribed positions.
Appointments With Us
Throughout your Invisalign treatment, you'll visit our office periodically for a checkup. During these appointments, Dr. Karl will assess your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed. Please feel free to use these appointments to ask us any questions you may have about your Invisalign treatment.
Enjoy & Maintain
You've made it to the end of treatment – congratulations! It's time to enjoy your straighter, healthier smile. At your final Invisalign appointment, we'll review the progress your smile has made, and Dr. Karl will prescribe retainers to maintain your teeth in their current positions.
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Questions About Invisalign? We've Got Answers.
If you're considering Invisalign, you likely have all sorts of questions. Get started by reading our Invisalign FAQs to learn more about this orthodontic treatment.
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What is Invisalign?
Invisalign orthodontic treatment is a series of clear, custom aligners that straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
Using advanced 3D computer imaging technology, we will create a treatment plan to resolve your specific orthodontic issue.
Your Invisalign aligners will then be manufactured to fit your teeth precisely during each stage of the treatment process.
- What are the primary features of Invisalign?
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How does Invisalign work?
Your Invisalign treatment will consist of a series of clear plastic aligners. Each aligner is designed to move your teeth in tiny increments. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks (or as prescribed by your orthodontist) before replacing it with the next one, which will pick up where the last one left off.
This process will continue until your teeth are in their prescribed, corrected positions.
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How much does Invisalign cost?
The cost of Invisalign treatment depends on the severity of your case and how many aligners you'll need in your series to resolve it. The more severe or complex the misalignment is, the more aligners you'll need to correct it, and the more your treatment will cost.
Concerns about cost are completely understandable. We offer no-interest payment plans to help make achieving a straighter smile more affordable for all of our patients.
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How many sets of aligners will I need?
The answer to this question will depend on the nature and severity of your misalignment. Each case is different.
Based on a detailed evaluation of your bite during your initial consultation, Dr. Karl will give you an estimate of how long your treatment will last.
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How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Your orthodontist will determine the approximate duration of your Invisalign treatment based on your specific needs.
Factors that may affect the duration of your treatment include the nature and severity of the misalignment of your teeth or jaw. This determines the amount of movement that will be required to correct the problem, and how many aligners you'll need to go through to accomplish this.
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What are Invisalign aligners made of?
Invisalign aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high-molecular-weight polyurethane resins that are BPA-free.
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Can adults use Invisalign?
Yes! Almost anyone with healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for Invisalign.
Many adults these days are opting to undergo orthodontic treatment with Invisalign aligners because of their discreet look, and the convenience of being able to remove them to eat, and to brush and floss.
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Can teenagers use Invisalign?
Yes! Teens certainly can be candidates for Invisalign. In fact, Invisalign created Invisalign Teen specifically to meet the unique needs of teenagers.
Invisalign Teen aligners are distinct from standard Invisalign aligners in two key ways. First, they have compliance indicators (tiny blue dots that fade away after the aligners have been worn consistently for two weeks) to help teens keep track of their treatment and when they need to be changed.
Secondly, they come with eruption tabs for tweens and younger teens whose adult teeth are still in the process of growing in. These provide space for second molars and prevent them from growing crooked.
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How will Invisalign fit my lifestyle?
Like any orthodontic treatment, Invisalign takes a bit of getting used to at first. But we believe Invisalign treatment fits very comfortably into the daily routines of most adult and teen patients.
Invisalign aligners can be removed whenever you need to eat, drink, brush, and floss. That means no dietary restrictions, and you can maintain your normal oral hygiene routine.
The aligners are made of lightweight, clear plastic and almost invisible when worn, so hardly anyone will notice that you are straightening your smile.
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How often do I have to visit the orthodontist with Invisalign?
You'll need to visit the orthodontist every 12 weeks during your Invisalign treatment for a checkup, so that your orthodontist can assess your progress. If any refinements or adjustments are needed for your treatment, they may require some extra visits.
Invisalign aligners don't require any adjustments or tightening – you just switch to a new set of aligners as prescribed by your orthodontist – so you won't need to visit us for these types of appointments during your treatment.
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How often do I have to change my Invisalign aligners?
When you begin your treatment, Dr. Karl will tell you exactly how often you should switch out your aligners. The frequency varies a bit among patients, but it's normally every two weeks or so.
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Are there any food or drink restrictions?
You can remove your aligners to eat, so there aren't really any dietary restrictions while you're undergoing Invisalign treatment.
We recommend you take your aligners out to drink any beverages other than water (things like pop, coffee, juice, etc.) to avoid staining, and so that sugars and acids don't get trapped between the aligners and your teeth.
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How do I clean my aligners?
There are a few different steps involved when it comes to keeping your Invisalign aligners clean and in tip-top shape.
Rinse them off each time you take them out of your mouth to remove dry saliva and any plaque that may be developing.
You should also clean your aligners thoroughly each day. Use a soft toothbrush, clear anti-bacterial soap or toothpaste, and cool water to clean them. Brush your aligners gently so as not to scratch them, and then rinse off the soap. Then you're done!
In addition to cleaning the aligners themselves, you should make sure your mouth is nice and clean before you put them back in. This means brushing and flossing after each meal to ensure that no food particles get trapped between your teeth and the aligners, leading to bad breath and possibly cavities or gum disease.
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How do I store my aligners?
You should store your Invisalign aligners in the case they come with any time they're not in your mouth or soaking in a cleaning solution. This will keep them safe and clean until it's time to put them back in.
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Can I play sports with Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners are removable so you can play sports without worrying about damaging them.
However, keep in mind that in order to keep treatment on track, Invisalign aligners must be kept in for a minimum of 22 hours a day (or as prescribed by your orthodontist), so plan your time carefully.
It's important to invest in a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth during orthodontic treatment in general. Orthodontic treatment causes your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, and this can make them more susceptible to damage than they normally are.
Speak to your orthodontist to find out if it's ok to leave your aligners in while playing your sport or whether you should remove your aligners and wear a mouth guard instead.
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Can I play my woodwind or brass instrument with Invisalign?
Yes! Simply remove your aligners to play your instrument, and pop them back in when you're done.
Keep in mind that you must keep your Invisalign aligners in for about 22 hours a day (or as prescribed by your orthodontist), so be sure to plan your practice time carefully.
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Invisalign vs. braces: which is right for me?
Invisalign and braces are both effective orthodontic treatment options, but there are differences between them that may affect their suitability for different individuals.
Factors to consider when choosing between Invisalign and braces include aesthetics, your personal preferences and lifestyle, cost, and the nature and severity of your misalignment. You can learn more here.
Your orthodontist will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.