Nearly invisible
The transparent plastic aligners are barely noticeable. At work, parties or photos no visible braces with wires. Discreet orthodontics for adults who want to stay professional.
A better smile with clear Invisalign aligners or fixed braces? At Tandarts West, your English-speaking dentist-orthodontist in Rotterdam West, Semra Genc works with a Master in Orthodontics. For children, teens and adults who want straight teeth. Transparent price and a treatment plan within 1-2 weeks of your first consultation.
Invisalign is a brand of clear, removable invisible aligners, a form of orthodontic treatment with custom-made transparent plastic trays that gradually move your teeth into the correct position. Every 1-2 weeks you switch to a new aligner. The aligners are nearly invisible and removable during eating, drinking and brushing. Suitable for light to moderate alignment issues and increasingly popular with adults who don't want visible braces.
At Tandarts West, your English-speaking dentist in Rotterdam West at Taandersstraat 121, dentist-orthodontist Semra Genc works with a Master in Orthodontics (ACTA Amsterdam). Every Invisalign and braces treatment is carried out by this orthodontist in Rotterdam West, so your invisible aligners are always planned and supervised by a qualified specialist. We offer both Invisalign in Rotterdam and traditional fixed braces. Patients from Delfshaven, Middelland, Nieuwe Westen, Bospolder-Tussendijken, Spangen and Oud-Mathenesse come to us for orthodontics. For severe alignment problems, jaw issues or very young children, fixed braces or combination treatment may be needed.
Besides Invisalign we also do teeth whitening after orthodontics and place veneers for cosmetic finishing.
Around orthodontics in Rotterdam people use many different words for the same thing. An invisible brace, a clear brace, a transparent brace or simply aligners all refer to the same treatment: a series of custom-made, removable plastic trays that straighten your teeth step by step. Invisalign is the best known brand, made by Align Technology. If you search for invisible braces Rotterdam or clear braces Rotterdam, in practice you end up with an aligner treatment like the one we offer at Tandarts West in Rotterdam West.
The Dutch word slotjesbeugel means something different. A slotjesbeugel is the classic fixed brace with small brackets (slotjes) bonded to each tooth and connected by a wire. This brace is visible and fixed in place day and night, but can correct almost any alignment issue, including severe cases. We offer both the invisible aligner and the fixed slotjesbeugel, so the dentist-orthodontist makes the best choice for each situation.
An average aligner treatment consists of roughly 20 to 40 aligners that you switch every 1 to 2 weeks, with a treatment duration of 6 to 24 months. In the Netherlands the cost is charged per procedure according to the fixed tariffs of the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa), not as one fixed package. What an invisible brace costs in your case we discuss during the consultation; our rates page explains how the NZa procedures work. For cosmetic finishing after orthodontics you can turn to veneers.
Three qualities that distinguish Invisalign from traditional fixed braces.
The transparent plastic aligners are barely noticeable. At work, parties or photos no visible braces with wires. Discreet orthodontics for adults who want to stay professional.
Unlike fixed braces, you can remove the aligners. Eat what you want and brush/floss normally. No food trapped in braces.
No sharp metal points irritating cheek or tongue. Aligners are smooth and fit perfectly. 1-3 days of sensitivity when switching, otherwise comfortable.
Invisalign corrects most common alignment issues. Below you see per case what it is and how the aligners can straighten it. For very complex alignment issues or jaw problems we sometimes advise fixed braces or a combination treatment.
With crowding there is too little space in the jaw, so teeth overlap or rotate. Invisalign gradually creates space, sometimes with a little IPR, and lines the teeth up neatly again.
With an overbite the upper front teeth cover the lower teeth too far. Invisalign moves the teeth step by step so the upper and lower jaw meet better and the bite comes into balance.
With an underbite the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. Invisalign corrects light to moderate cases well. With a pronounced jaw difference, fixed braces or a combination treatment may be needed.
With a crossbite some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them. Invisalign tips and widens the teeth involved so the arch fits again and the teeth are loaded evenly.
A diastema is a visible space between two teeth, often between the front teeth. Invisalign gradually moves the teeth together and closes the gaps for an even front.
With an open bite the front teeth do not touch when you close your mouth, leaving a gap. Invisalign brings the front teeth back together so you can bite off food normally.
In mixed dentition milk teeth and permanent teeth are still present together. For children there is an early version, Invisalign First. Whether we start already depends on how the dentition is developing, which the dentist-orthodontist assesses for each child.
Over half of our aligner patients are adults. Whether you have lived with crooked teeth or a small gap for years, or you notice shifting after an earlier brace, invisible aligners straighten your teeth without those around you noticing. Ideal if you want to stay professional and still do something about your smile.
For parents Invisalign is often attractive because it is removable and barely visible, which makes brushing and sport easier than with fixed braces. For teenagers there is Invisalign Teen with a compliance indicator that shows whether the wear time is met. For young children in mixed dentition it depends on the stage of development: sometimes we start early to guide space, sometimes we wait until more permanent teeth have come through. What suits your child we discuss honestly during the consultation.
How your Invisalign treatment proceeds, from intake to retainer.
Free consultation with dentist-orthodontist, 3D scan and photos. Digital simulation of end result.
Based on the scan your aligners are made at Invisalign lab. Delivered with instructions in 4-6 weeks.
Wear aligner 20-22 hours/day, switch every 1-2 weeks. Check-ups every 6-8 weeks.
After active treatment, retainer (wire or night brace) prevents shifting back.
Invisalign fits around your life, not the other way around. Still, a few simple habits make the difference between a smooth and a slow treatment. Here is what to expect in daily life.
Take the aligners out before you eat, so they stay clear and do not get damaged. You can keep eating whatever you like, from an apple to a sandwich, because no wires get in the way. Only water may be drunk while the aligners are in. Coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine stain the plastic, and sugars stay trapped against your teeth under the aligner. Count on about half an hour of eating and brushing per day outside wear time, so you still reach the recommended 20 to 22 hours.
Brush and floss your teeth before you put the aligners back, otherwise you lock food and bacteria against your enamel all day. That raises the risk of cavities and bad breath. Rinse the aligners with lukewarm water and brush them gently with a separate toothbrush, never with hot water because that warps the plastic. Once a week clean them with special cleaning tablets. This keeps them clear and invisible instead of dull and noticeable.
Always keep your aligner in the case provided and never loose in a napkin, because that is how it most often ends up in the bin by accident. If you do lose an aligner or one tears, put the previous set back in straight away and call the practice. In many cases you can move on to the next aligner directly, or we make a new one. The main thing is that your teeth do not shift back unnoticed, so do not wait but get in touch so we keep the treatment on track.
Both straighten your teeth, but which fits your situation and lifestyle better? The table below sets them side by side.
| Feature | Invisalign aligners | Fixed braces (brackets) |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Nearly invisible, transparent trays | Visible metal brackets and wires |
| Removable | Yes, for eating, drinking and brushing | No, fixed in place day and night |
| Best suited to | Light to moderate corrections | All alignment issues, including severe ones |
| Discipline | Requires wearing 20 to 22 hours a day | Works on its own, always in place |
| Comfort | Smooth, no sharp metal points | Brackets can irritate cheek or tongue |
| End result in 3D | Visible in advance with a 3D scan | Not previewed in 3D |
| Cleaning | Brush and floss as normal | Extra care needed around the wires |
| Average duration | 6 to 24 months | 12 to 30 months |
| Cover under 18 | Possible with a medical indication | Often covered with a medical indication |
Two terms that come up often during an Invisalign treatment are attachments and IPR. They sound technical but are easy to explain and are part of a large share of treatments. We discuss in advance whether they are needed in your plan, so there are no surprises.
Attachments are small, tooth-coloured bumps of composite that the dentist-orthodontist places on a few teeth. They act as handles the aligner can grip, so a tooth makes exactly the movement set out in the digital plan. Think of rotating a canine or uprighting a tilted tooth, movements that are difficult without a grip. The attachments are barely visible because they match the colour of your teeth, and at the end of treatment we remove them without damaging your enamel.
IPR stands for interproximal reduction and means we remove a very thin layer of enamel between two teeth, usually no more than a fraction of a millimetre. This creates just enough space to line teeth up neatly without having to extract a tooth. The procedure is painless, you feel nothing because enamel contains no nerves, and the teeth do not become weaker or more sensitive. We use IPR only where it is needed and always within safe limits, based on your 3D scan.
Orthodontics has long been more than a metal brace in high school. For teenagers too, Invisalign is often an excellent option.
For teenagers there is a special version, Invisalign Teen, which takes into account a dentition that is still developing. These aligners have room built in for teeth that still have to come through and contain a small compliance indicator that slowly fades as the aligner is worn enough. This lets parents and the dentist-orthodontist see at a glance whether the wear time of 20 to 22 hours per day is really being met, which can still be a challenge for young people.
For many teens the invisible nature weighs heavily. In school photos, during sport and on social media a clear aligner is barely noticeable, while fixed braces with brackets and elastics stand out far more. Because the aligners are removable, brushing and flossing stay easy and there is less chance of white spots or cavities around the braces. Sport with a mouthguard or playing a wind instrument is also easier than with fixed brackets.
Whether Invisalign is the right choice for your child depends on the misalignment, the motivation and the stage of the change of teeth. For severe jaw problems or very complex alignment issues, fixed braces or a combination treatment may be wiser. During a free consultation the dentist-orthodontist assesses with a 3D scan what suits your situation best and we honestly discuss the pros and cons.
At Tandarts West your orthodontics is guided by one dedicated, specialised clinician from intake to retainer.
Dentist, Master in Orthodontics (ACTA Amsterdam)
Semra Genc is a dentist and the founder of Tandarts West Rotterdam. She completed her Master in Orthodontics at ACTA in Amsterdam and has treated patients with Invisalign and fixed braces since 2013. From a light correction of the front teeth to a more complex alignment correction, she draws up a personal treatment plan for every patient and guides the whole process herself. This way you always work with the same trusted clinician who knows your file from start to finish.
View the profile of orthodontist Semra Genc in Rotterdam West
Last updated and medically reviewed on 14 July 2026 by Semra Genc, dentist and Master in Orthodontics.
The cost depends on complexity and treatment duration. As a guide we give a national indication below. The exact price is set during a free consultation with a 3D scan.
The amounts shown are a national indication for a full treatment, not a tariff of Tandarts West. In the Netherlands orthodontics is charged per procedure according to the fixed tariffs of the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). The final price depends on the number of procedures, the treatment duration and any attachments or retainer. See our rates for more detail. For children under 18 orthodontics is partly covered by Dutch basic insurance with a medical indication, for adults via supplementary dental insurance. Policies vary considerably, so check with your insurer in advance. Contact us for a personal estimate.
Last updated and medically reviewed on 14 July 2026 by Semra Genc, dentist and Master in Orthodontics (ACTA Amsterdam).
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