Invisalign

Invisalign® is a dental treatment that straightens the teeth. It uses a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. There are no brackets and wires like traditional braces and there are no restrictions like there are with metal braces. They fit snugly over your teeth and are virtually invisible. As they are removable, you can take them out to brush your teeth, eat or floss.

Your dentist will create a unique, digital treatment plan. This will map out the movements of your teeth. Your Invisalign® aligners apply the appropriate force to eventually alter and manipulate the position of your teeth slowly and gently over time. Teeth naturally move so Invisalign® aligners are just gently manipulating how they move. Little by little your teeth will be straightened into the final position your dentist has prescribed.

For the treatment to work, you need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. You’ll have your own individual plan but it’s likely you’ll change your aligners 1-2 weeks at a time to progress the treatment. You will visit your dentist once every 6 weeks to ensure treatment is progressing. The total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the number of aligners you will have averages around 18-30. You should start seeing results in just weeks.

No, Invisalign® aligners are not painful, but you may feel a little pressure each time you start with a new aligner. Once an aligner starts to feel loose, it’s time to move on to the next one. The temporary discomfort that you feel shows that the straightening treatment is working. Invisalign® are made from patented SmartTrack material which provides a more comfortable and better fit. They are trimmed to fit your gum line for extra comfort.

Invisible braces, Invisalign® can fix many orthodontic issues such as crooked teeth, overbites, underbites and crossbites. It can close small gaps in your teeth and straighten over-crowded teeth. It can also be used if you just want generally straighter teeth. It may not be appropriate for fixing large gaps or severely crooked teeth. It also cannot raise or lower the position of the tooth in the jawline. It’s important to fix teeth gaps as food can get stuck in these spaces which can contribute to gum disease.

The common misconception is that Invisalign® is costly. It is actually an affordable way to straighten your teeth. Here at Duston Dental Practice, we charge from £200 per month for 12 months on an interest-free basis with our finance provider Tabeo. For an individual estimate, a consultation appointment will be needed.

Invisalign® braces can be a great solution for both adults and teens. So long as you have a full set of adult teeth, you are likely to be a suitable candidate for the treatment. Contact us for a consultation.

The treatment plan will start with a consultation where your dentist will talk you through what you would like to achieve through the treatment and what happens. They will evaluate your teeth, take some scans of your current teeth and then map out a precise digital treatment plan. This shows your step-by-step transformation. The advanced 3D smile scanning software will generate a model of how your teeth will look once treatment is completed.

Once you approve this, your treatment plan is sent to a high-tech Invisalign® lab where your unique aligners are created. You then need to wear these for 20 to 22 hours a day, changing your aligners every 1-2 weeks. Each set will gradually straighten your teeth. You will visit your dentist once every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure that progress is being made. After 9-15 months, your treatment will be over. You may wish to have some additional cosmetic work done such as teeth whitening to really finish off your smile. We will then provide you with a retainer to wear at nighttime to keep your teeth in their new straightened positions.

Yes, Invisalign® can fix this issue for you.

You need to talk to your dentist to discuss this as it will differ from patient to patient.

Yes, for the treatment to be effective, you need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. Your aligners are unlikely to fall out while you’re sleeping as they’re designed to fit snugly around your teeth.

You can clean your aligners by brushing and rinsing them in warm water (not hot!) You can also use Invisalign® Cleaning Crystals. Clean your teeth after each meal and before reapplying your Invisalign® aligners to maintain good oral hygiene as food residue can stain them.

Don’t panic! You need to contact your dentist as soon as possible to ensure you stay on track with your treatment plan. You may have to wear a previous aligner while you wait for a replacement one. The aligners are very durable so it’s unlikely that you will break them.

Most patients do not experience any effect on their speech. Some report having a slight lisp whilst trying to get used to the aligner.