Thinking About Invisalign in the New Year? 3 Things to Consider
Jan 23, 2026
An authentic smile conveys happiness, friendliness, and a willingness to engage in conversation. Unfortunately, many people avoid smiling because they feel self-conscious about crooked teeth.
A new year often inspires fresh starts, so if you aren’t confident enough to smile openly, consider the benefits of Invisalign orthodontic treatment.
This popular system uses clear, comfortable aligners to gradually guide your teeth into better alignment, straightening them more subtly and often more quickly than metal braces.
Before you move forward, it helps to understand what the process involves and what will help you get the best results. At Llanos Dental Group, we want every patient to feel confident and informed when choosing orthodontic treatment.
Here are three key things to consider as you decide whether Invisalign is right for you.
During your consultation, we evaluate your bite, tooth alignment, oral health, and overall treatment goals. We take digital scans of your mouth to create a 3D model, which helps us determine how your smile will move over time.
This step is incredibly helpful for understanding what Invisalign can achieve and what your final results might look like.
Invisalign treats many common orthodontic issues, such as:
The aligners work best when teeth need moderate adjustments rather than complex movements that may require traditional braces.
If you’re unsure whether your case is too complicated for clear aligners, don’t worry — most patients are pleasantly surprised by how much Invisalign can correct. And if we find that braces would give you faster or more predictable results, we’ll talk through all your options so you can make the choice that feels right.
One of the biggest perks of Invisalign is flexibility. You can remove the aligners to eat, brush, floss, and even take photos. But that freedom also comes with responsibility. For Invisalign to work correctly, you must wear your aligners for 20–22 hours per day.
Here’s how wearing clear aligners works in everyday life:
This rule applies to anything other than water to prevent staining, warping, or food from getting trapped between your teeth.
Since the aligners fit tightly around your teeth, keeping everything clean reduces your risk of decay and keeps your aligners clear and odor-free.
Each new aligner set continues the movement planned from the start.
These appointments are usually quick and less frequent than those required for traditional braces.
If you already find it easy to stay on top of your daily routines or you’re motivated by steady progress, Invisalign can easily fit into your lifestyle.
However, if you think you may forget to wear your aligners at times, that’s an essential consideration because consistent wear is what ensures your teeth move as expected.
Most patients conclude their Invisalign treatment in 6 to 18 months, but your exact timeline depends on your teeth and what you hope to achieve. You’ll begin to see small changes within a few weeks, which will help keep you motivated.
Once treatment ends, you’ll wear a retainer to maintain your results, just like with traditional braces. Retainers keep your newly aligned teeth in place while your bone and gums adapt to their new positions.
We’ll recommend the best type of retainer for you and explain how often to wear it, especially during the first year after treatment.
Invisalign is a proven solution for straightening teeth and a great way to start the new year with renewed confidence. The system’s comfort, convenience, and nearly invisible design make it a popular choice for anyone who wants a more discreet orthodontic solution.
If you’re ready to explore the possibilities, Dr. Llanos is here to help. She’ll answer your questions, evaluate your smile, and guide you through the process so you can start your year on the path to a smile you’ll love.
Ready to take the first step? Schedule your Invisalign consultation by calling Llanos Dental Group or completing the online booking form.