If you practice or compete in Calgary, you already plan around the usual suspects: altitude swings, dry air, winter chinooks, and rink or field schedules that go late into the night. Dental care rarely makes the starting lineup, yet your bite affects breathing, jaw stability, recovery, and even confidence. Over the last decade I’ve treated hockey defensemen who grind through third periods, distance runners who chew through gels, and rugby players who absorb hits that would rattle a toolbox. Many want straighter teeth and a healthier bite, but they cannot afford weeks on the sideline with lacerated lips or fractured brackets. That is where Invisalign earns a serious look.
There is no one-size answer. Traditional dental braces still suit some situations better. But for a large slice of athletes, especially in a city that worships ice and values weekend races, Invisalign balances performance and treatment. What follows is the guidance I give in the clinic and on the bench, shaped by wins, mistakes, and more than a few dented mouthguards.
How Invisalign functions when sport is part of your life
Clear aligners move teeth by applying controlled, incremental forces. You wear a set for about one to two weeks, then switch to the next. Attachments, which are enamel-coloured bumps bonded to teeth, help guide movement. Most cases in my Calgary practice run 6 to 18 months. Faster is possible with mild crowding, longer for complex bites or rotated canines.
From an athlete’s perspective, the key is that aligners are removable. You can train without a tray if a hit is likely, pop it back in for the post-practice commute, and still hit your daily wear target. The standard for reliable results is 20 to 22 hours per day. That means you do not get to leave them out for your whole tournament weekend, but you can time removal for games and keep them in for video meetings, stretching, and sleep.
If you compete in contact sports, an aligner does not replace a proper mouthguard. I’ve seen players try to skate with just their tray. The thin plastic offers minimal impact protection and can crack under a hard shot, turning into sharp edges. Use a mouthguard that fits over the aligners or remove the aligners and switch to a guard molded to your teeth without trays. We can help you choose the right path.
Calgary realities that matter more than you think
The city’s athletics calendar presses hard from September through March. Hockey playoffs ramp up just as snowmelt tempts cyclists onto the pathways. Many of my Invisalign athletes try to plan around this intensity. If you are aiming for a smooth start, begin scans and treatment planning 6 to 8 weeks before peak season. That gives time for initial aligner delivery, tray acclimation, and any early attachments or interproximal reduction before your schedule turns hectic.
Cold, dry air dehydrates aligners and lips faster. Keep a dedicated water bottle on the bench and in the weight room. Frequent sips lower dry-mouth risk, which matters because a dry mouth raises the chance of cavities, especially when you snack on energy bars. If you train at WinSport or the Calgary Soccer Centre where vending machines tempt you with sports drinks, get in the habit of removing aligners before you sip, then rinsing and immediately reinserting. Sugar trapped under trays accelerates decay.
Altitude shifts matter if you race in the foothills or head west to Canmore. Mouth breathing increases with effort and elevation. If you tend to clench when gassed, tell your Calgary orthodontist early. We can design features on your Invisalign plan that respect that habit and reduce unwanted tooth contact that leads to headaches.
When Invisalign beats braces for athletes
I still place fixed braces for many Calgary patients. For others, Invisalign quietly wins the day. Here is why it often suits athletes:
- Less soft-tissue trauma in contact. Brackets and wires turn into razors when a face meets an opponent’s shoulder. Aligners sit smooth against the teeth and cheeks. I have treated ringette players who went from weekly lip ulcers with braces to zero with Invisalign. Flexibility around competitions. Big weekend ahead? Keep the aligners in during travel and sleep, remove for the game, wear them during warm-down and the bus ride home. You still hit your daily hours without nibbling through a power play with a mouth full of plastic. Fewer emergency visits. Broken brackets and poking wires love to happen at the worst time. Clear aligners rarely create true emergencies. If a tray cracks, you usually step forward to the next set or back one, then text our clinic photo line. That level of control matters when your team bus leaves for Red Deer in 40 minutes. Predictable planning. Digital setups allow us to map movements around a season. If you need attachments that could interfere with a sport-specific mouthguard, we schedule them for the quieter months. Hygiene during heavy training. Between twice-daily skates and a full course load at UCalgary, many teens simply brush better without brackets. Cleaner teeth mean less risk of decalcification white spots when the season ends.
When dental braces still make sense
Honest advice builds trust, so here is where fixed appliances keep an edge. Severe skeletal discrepancies, impacted canines, and significant vertical corrections sometimes move faster or with more control using braces. If you struggle to wear anything consistently, removable aligners may be a poor bet during a chaotic season. I also lean toward braces for athletes who grind trays to shreds or lose them weekly. More than one https://familybraces.ca/everything-you-need-to-know-about-palatal-expanders-in-orthodontics/ midfielder has confessed to leaving an aligner in a locker room shoe.
Costs run in a similar range locally, though insurance coverage varies. For complex cases, overall fees can be higher for either option. A straightforward answer requires a consult and a scan. Most Calgary orthodontist offices offer those at no cost or apply the fee to treatment.
Mouthguards, aligners, and how to set them up together
Think of this as gear integration. Your stick lies at one end of the bench, your aligner case at the other, and your mouthguard gets the prime spot in the middle. The wrong selection leads to a chipped incisor or a fitness penalty.
If your schedule includes high-contact play, we typically recommend a boil-and-bite or custom mouthguard designed to fit over your current tooth positions. Two strategies work:
- Wear aligners under a compatible guard. We can create a mouthguard that fits over the trays. It is bulkier but keeps you on track with hours. Good for hockey, lacrosse, rugby, and practices where the risk of impact is real. You will notice a slightly tighter breathing feel for the first few uses, then most athletes adapt. Remove aligners and use a guard molded to your teeth without trays. This feels thinner and more natural. You just need to compensate by increasing aligner wear outside practices and games. If you compete twice daily during tournaments, we plan for longer overnight wear.
What about Invisalign’s packaged “sports mouthguards” you see online? Some are fine, others flimsy. The best option is one designed with your orthodontist to match your bite and sport. For goalies who take fewer direct impacts than centers but still deal with collisions, I split the difference with a thinner multilayer guard that keeps speech clearer.
The training week: aligning your aligner hours
An effective Invisalign plan lives or dies on consistency. During heavy weeks, time management beats willpower. Consider a hockey player averaging 90 minutes of practice and 60 minutes of gym work five days a week, with two weekend games. If you remove trays 30 minutes before and after each skate and game, plus the session itself, you will miss about 11 to 12 hours per week. That still leaves plenty of time to hit 20 to 22 hours per day if you wear them during class, work, film study, and sleep.
For swimmers, the routine flips. Pools have you hydrated and the sport rarely risks face contact, but meets can be long. I tell swimmers to wear aligners during warm-ups and cool downs, remove only for events, and keep the case poolside. Water temperature does not damage trays, though leave them out for hot tub sessions. Heat warps the plastic.
Runners and cyclists usually wear aligners during all training. The trouble shows up with gels, chews, and sports drinks. The move is simple: if it has sugar or acid, remove your trays and rinse your mouth with water before reinserting. If you drip sips of sports drink every five minutes for two hours with trays in, you are bathing tooth enamel in acid and sugar under a sealed cover. That is a fast track to decay.
Eating, drinking, and protecting your teeth without sinking your plan
Aligners come out for meals. In reality, athletes graze. Your body demands calories throughout the day, especially during multi-session blocks. It is easy to turn three meals into eight micro-snacks and accidentally leave aligners out for hours. The fix is to cluster snacks into short windows and put trays back in immediately after a rinse.
Use cold or room-temperature water with trays in. Coffee and tea stain and distort aligners. If you need caffeine before a 6 a.m. skate, drink it without trays, rinse with water, then reinsert. I have seen perfectly disciplined people ruin a set of aligners in a week because of a daily Americano habit on the drive to the arena.
If you chew ice or grind when stressed, tell us. We can add a small “chewies” routine that both improves aligner seating and soaks up the urge to clench. Some athletes treat chewies like a pre-practice ritual. Two minutes while taping your stick can make a noticeable difference in how aligners fit and how teeth move.
Pain, pressure, and performance
New aligners bring two or three days of pressure for most people. It is not “down for the count” pain, but you will notice it when you bite into crusty bread or take a slap shot through clenched molars. Schedule tray changes at night so you sleep through the worst. Switch sets after a game, not before. Keep sugar-free gum on non-tray time to distract your jaw without feeding bacteria.
If soreness climbs beyond the usual, check for a dry crack edge or an attachment that has popped off. High-contact weeks sometimes knock an attachment away without you noticing. A quick check-in with your Calgary orthodontist can reset the plan before the next match.
Mouth ulcers are rare with Invisalign compared to dental braces, though they still happen. Saltwater rinses and a dab of orthodontic wax along a sharp tray edge solve most cases. If a tray feels like sandpaper, we can safely buff it at the clinic or guide you to very gently smooth a raised point with an emery board at home.
Travel, tournaments, and keeping trays from disappearing
Tournament weekends multiply the ways aligners vanish. Hotel linens swallow clear trays, buses rattle cases under seats, and late-night pizza breaks defeat discipline. The pattern is predictable, which means easy to counter. Build a habit: trays go in the case, the case goes in the same zip pocket of your backpack, every time. Buy a bright case you can spot across a locker room and put a name label on it. The number of times a goalie has rescue-texted us from a bus because a black case disappeared on a black floor would fill a short book.
Carry one previous and one next set for travel. If you lose a tray on the road, you have options. Step back if the next is too tight, step forward if you were due to switch within 24 hours. Message your clinic with a quick photo of your teeth together and we can advise. Calgary invisalign practices that work with athletes often have after-hours texting for exactly this reason.
Air travel rarely trips security since trays are plastic. Heat, however, can be a spoiler. Do not leave aligners on a car dashboard in July. The plastic warps with sustained heat and you will feel the difference as a loose, unengaged fit.
Cases from the ice and the field
A U18 defender came in mid-season with mild crowding and a crossbite that gave her jaw soreness after double-headers. Braces would have worked, but the risk of lip cuts and emergency visits during playoffs was high. We chose Invisalign, staged her attachments after provincials, and built a mouthguard compatible with trays. She wore the trays during off-ice sessions and sleep, removed them for games. Treatment finished in 11 months, jaw symptoms eased, and she missed zero ice time for orthodontic repairs.
A masters marathoner wanted a tidier smile before a Boston qualifier. He salted his training with four daily snacks and sips sports drink every 20 minutes on long runs. We set a rule: aligners out for sugary fuel, rinse immediately, aligners back in, and swap to sugar-free electrolytes between gels. He kept 21-hour days consistently, and the alignment changes were visible by week eight. He told me the biggest win was not the straighter incisors but less cheek biting once rotations improved.
On the other end, a varsity wrestler tried to juggle aligners without a case, lost three sets in six weeks, and wore them roughly 12 hours a day. We pivoted to braces for reliability and paired them with a custom guard. His treatment sped up immediately. The lesson: the best tool is the one you can stick with.
Hygiene under pressure
High training loads push oral hygiene to the edges. Braces or Invisalign, the cavity risk rises when you live on bars, gels, and late dinners. I coach athletes to stash travel brushes in gym bags and cars. With aligners, brushing after every snack is ideal but unrealistic for many. Rinse thoroughly with water, chew xylitol gum for five minutes to stimulate saliva, then reinsert. Brush and floss properly morning and night. Calgary’s water is fluoridated, but a fluoride rinse at night adds a safety net when your diet leans sticky or acidic.
For braces wearers, a water flosser pays for itself in saved chair time. For Invisalign, a soft toothbrush and unscented soap clean trays in 30 seconds. Avoid toothpaste on trays, it scratches and holds odors. Vinegar-and-water soaks once or twice a week keep them clear without harsh chemicals.
Working with a Calgary orthodontist who knows sports
Each athlete’s season has rhythms. A Calgary orthodontist who regularly coordinates with coaches will respect taper weeks and build appointment schedules around travel. Ask a few direct questions at the consult:
- How do you manage mouthguards with Invisalign, and do you fabricate guards that fit over trays? What is your plan if I lose a tray at a tournament? Can I text photos after hours for guidance? Can we stage attachments or planned refinements around playoffs? Do you have experience with contact-sport cases and secondary bruxism from heavy strength cycles? What wear schedule do you recommend during two-a-days, and how do we measure compliance?
None of this is fancy. It is logistics and respect for what it takes to compete. You should expect clear answers. If the clinic seems surprised by these questions, keep looking. There are several Calgary invisalign providers who treat athletes weekly and can show before-and-after cases similar to yours.
Cost clarity and insurance realities
Fees vary by complexity rather than by brand name alone. Mild alignment corrections might land in the 3,000 to 5,000 CAD range locally, moderate cases in the 5,000 to 7,500 CAD band, and comprehensive bite corrections beyond that. Dental benefits often list a lifetime orthodontic maximum. Many plans reimburse the same percentage whether you choose braces or Invisalign, but not all. Get a pre-determination from your insurer so you know what portion comes back and on what schedule.
Ask about payment plans that match your season. Some athletes prefer to front-load payments in the off-season when they work more hours, then ease off during competitions. Most clinics can accommodate that. What matters is transparency, not a single script.
Handling setbacks without losing momentum
Two issues crop up repeatedly in athlete cases. First, missed wear during tournaments. Second, aligners that stop tracking because chewing patterns or impacts changed how the trays seat. For the first, we plan. You will have a defined “recovery week” with slightly longer tray wear and chewies use. For the second, we troubleshoot. A tray not fully seated on one canine after a month of hard contacts is not failure, it is a signal. We may add a mid-course correction, adjust attachments, or prescribe a week of focused chewies and elastics.
This is where a good relationship with your orthodontist shows value. You want someone who calls the audible early, not after three months of drift.
What younger athletes and parents should weigh
Teen athletes carry heavier load than most adults realize: practice, games, homework, and growth spurts sandwiched in the middle. If your child is responsible with their gear and keeps track of a mouthguard and water bottle already, they will probably handle aligners well. If they routinely misplace basics, braces might reduce stress for everyone. Either way, get a mouthguard policy in place. Lost teeth cost more time and money than any orthodontic plan.
Set a visible routine at home. Trays come out at the kitchen counter, go straight into the case, then on the same shelf every time. Reserve one hook in the mudroom for the gear bag that holds both case and mouthguard. Simple rules beat lectures.
The bottom line from the clinic and the rink
Invisalign gives many Calgary athletes a practical path to a healthier bite without the collateral damage that brackets can inflict during contact play. It excels when you need flexibility and can commit to daily discipline. Dental braces remain the sturdier tool for some complex movements and for athletes who know they cannot manage removable gear mid-season.
The best route is the one that respects your sport, your calendar, and how you actually live. Bring your mouthguard to your consult. Tell your orthodontist what race or series matters most this year. Ask how they will keep you on track when you are traveling and exhausted. With the right plan, you can stack wins on the ice or track while your smile moves in the right direction, quietly, week by week.
If you are shopping around, look for a Calgary orthodontist who treats athletes as a distinct tribe. They will plan your Invisalign journey like a season, with off-days, peak weeks, and contingencies. And yes, they will remind you to drink water, because even at minus fifteen, this city will dry you out faster than you expect.
6 Calgary Locations)
Business Name: Family Braces
Website: https://familybraces.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone (Main): (403) 202-9220
Fax: (403) 202-9227
Hours (General Inquiries):
Monday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am–5:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Locations (6 Clinics Across Calgary, AB):
NW Calgary (Beacon Hill): 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 — Tel: (403) 234-6006
NE Calgary (Deerfoot City): 901 64 Ave NE, Suite #4182, Calgary, AB T2E 7P4 — Tel: (403) 234-6008
SW Calgary (Shawnessy): 303 Shawville Blvd SE #500, Calgary, AB T2Y 3W6 — Tel: (403) 234-6007
SE Calgary (McKenzie): 89, 4307-130th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3V8 — Tel: (403) 234-6009
West Calgary (Westhills): 470B Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3C8 — Tel: (403) 234-6004
East Calgary (East Hills): 165 East Hills Boulevard SE, Calgary, AB T2A 6Z8 — Tel: (403) 234-6005
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Family Braces is a Calgary, Alberta orthodontic brand that provides braces and Invisalign through six clinics across the city and can be reached at (403) 202-9220.
Family Braces offers orthodontic services such as Invisalign, traditional braces, clear braces, retainers, and early phase one treatment options for kids and teens in Calgary.
Family Braces operates in multiple Calgary areas including NW (Beacon Hill), NE (Deerfoot City), SW (Shawnessy), SE (McKenzie), West (Westhills), and East (East Hills) to make orthodontic care more accessible across the city.
Family Braces has a primary clinic location at 11820 Sarcee Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3R 0A1 and also serves patients from additional Calgary shopping-centre-based clinics across other quadrants.
Family Braces provides free consultation appointments for patients who want to explore braces or Invisalign options before starting treatment.
Family Braces supports flexible payment approaches and financing options, and patients should confirm current pricing details directly with the clinic team.
Family Braces can be contacted by email at [email protected] for general questions and scheduling support.
Family Braces maintains six public clinic listings on Google Maps.
Popular Questions About Family Braces
What does Family Braces specialize in?
Family Braces focuses on orthodontic care in Calgary, including braces and Invisalign-style clear aligner treatment options. Treatment recommendations can vary based on an exam and records, so it’s best to book a consultation to confirm what’s right for your situation.
How many locations does Family Braces have in Calgary?
Family Braces has six clinic locations across Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE, West, and East), designed to make appointments more convenient across different parts of the city.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist at Family Braces?
Family Braces generally promotes a no-referral-needed approach for getting started. If you have a dentist or healthcare provider, you can still share relevant records, but most people can begin by booking directly.
What orthodontic treatment options are available?
Depending on your needs, Family Braces may offer options like metal braces, clear braces, Invisalign, retainers, and early orthodontic treatment for children. Your consultation is typically the best way to compare options for comfort, timeline, and budget.
How long does orthodontic treatment usually take?
Orthodontic timelines vary by case complexity, bite correction needs, and how consistently appliances are worn (for aligners). Many treatments commonly take months to a couple of years, but your plan may be shorter or longer.
Does Family Braces offer financing or payment plans?
Family Braces markets payment plan options and financing approaches. Because terms can change, it’s smart to ask during your consultation for the most current monthly payment options and what’s included in the total fee.
Are there options for kids and teens?
Yes, Family Braces offers orthodontic care for children and teens, including early phase one treatment options (when appropriate) and full treatment planning once more permanent teeth are in.
How do I contact Family Braces to book an appointment?
Call +1 (403) 202-9220 or email [email protected] to ask about booking. Website: https://familybraces.ca
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Landmarks Near Calgary, Alberta
Family Braces is proud to serve the Beacon Hill (NW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for orthodontist services in Beacon Hill (NW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Beacon Hill Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the NW Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign options for many ages. If you’re looking for braces in NW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (Beacon Hill area).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Deerfoot City (NE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Deerfoot City (NE Calgary), visit Family Braces near Deerfoot City Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the NE Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in NE Calgary, visit Family Braces near The Rec Room (Deerfoot City).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Shawnessy (SW Calgary) community and provides orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in Shawnessy (SW Calgary), visit Family Braces near Shawnessy Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the SW Calgary community and offers Invisalign and braces consultations. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in SW Calgary, visit Family Braces near Shawnessy LRT Station.
Family Braces is proud to serve the McKenzie area (SE Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for braces in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near McKenzie Shopping Center.
Family Braces is proud to serve the SE Calgary community and offers orthodontic consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in SE Calgary, visit Family Braces near Staples (130th Ave SE area).
Family Braces is proud to serve the Westhills (West Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Westhills Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the West Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for braces in West Calgary, visit Family Braces near Cineplex (Westhills).
Family Braces is proud to serve the East Hills (East Calgary) community and provides orthodontic care including braces and Invisalign. If you’re looking for an orthodontist in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near East Hills Shopping Centre.
Family Braces is proud to serve the East Calgary community and offers braces and Invisalign consultations. If you’re looking for Invisalign in East Calgary, visit Family Braces near Costco (East Hills).