Invisalign for Teeth Straightening

A beautiful smile has several benefits, from improving your self-confidence to boosting your professional and personal life and leaving good first impressions. However, many people have naturally misaligned and crooked teeth that make their smile less attractive.

Different treatment options are available to straighten the teeth and boost your smile, and orthodontists have come a long way from using train tracks – metal braces to straighten the teeth.

Invisalign is a modern teeth-straightening option. It is discreet and effective, making it more popular for people who want to straighten their teeth.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign are clear, removable orthodontic devices that gently pull and push the teeth, moving them to the right position. These custom-made aligners apply gentle pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into alignment. Invisalign aligners are an excellent alternative to traditional metal braces.

What are the advantages of Invisalign over braces?

Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible, allowing you to straighten your teeth without people easily noticing you are wearing an orthodontic device. Unlike metal braces, you won’t need metal parts attached to your teeth.

Invisalign treatment doesn’t require you to change your lifestyle. You can take the aligners off any time, especially for important meetings and eat. This makes your treatment comfortable and easy.

You can also maintain your oral health. With traditional metal braces, you will have a strict teeth-cleaning routine. Food particles can easily get stuck on the braces, so brushing after every meal is necessary. If you do not reduce sugar consumption and clean your teeth properly during treatment with braces, you may have tooth decay. However, during Invisalign treatment, you can remove the aligners to clean your teeth.

During your Invisalign treatment, you won’t need to visit the dentist as often as you would during treatment with braces. This means you have more time for your normal daily activities. At the onset of your Invisalign treatment, the provider will give your several sets of aligners and can monitor your treatment online.

With advanced technology and 3D scanning, you can see the result of your Invisalign treatment before starting treatment.

Diet restrictions with metal braces treatment discourage many people from straightening their teeth, but Invisalign treatment has no eat restrictions. Provided you take out the aligners before meal time, you can eat anything during your Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign is an effective treatment option for people with crooked teeth, crowded teeth, gapped teeth or malocclusions.

What to expect during Invisalign treatment

The following are stages in Invisalign treatment.

• Stage 1

You will have an appointment with the Invisalign provider. During the appointment, the provider will explain the Invisalign treatment process. You will discuss your concerns and expected results to help the provider understand your needs.

The Invisalign provider will also examine your teeth and take photos to help plan your treatment and determine the treatment’s duration. However, people are different, and Invisalign treatment has varying lengths depending on the severity of the dental issue.  

Treatment may take about six months for some people, but complex cases can take up to 14 months. However, improvement should be visible within six months.

• Stage 2

Your dentist will ensure your gums and teeth are healthy. If your gums aren’t healthy, you may need to visit the hygienist for dental cleaning and treatment before your Invisalign treatment. The hygienist will also inform you how to clean your teeth to prevent plaque accumulation.

Your dentist will check your teeth for signs of infection or decay. You may also get an x-ray before the Invisalign treatment.

If the dentist confirms you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign, they will take a 3D scan of your teeth with an iTero scanner. Your provider will send your scan and photos to the Invisalign lab to create your treatment plan.

Invisalign will plan your treatment with ClinCheck and send it to your dentist. ClinCheck is a 3D simulation of your expected result and movements at different stages of treatment. Your provider can modify the teeth movement to achieve your desired result. You will know how many aligners you need at this point.

After approving the ClinCheck simulation, Invisalign will start the manufacturing process for your aligners.

• Stage 3

On the third appointment, your provider will fit the aligners. The fitting process may take longer than other appointments, and you will get instructions on your dental hygiene and treatment. The dentist may place small-tooth coloured buttons, called attachments, to accelerate your treatment. The attachments have the same material as white fillings and will match your natural teeth colour. The dentist will gently move the attachments during your treatment.

Living with Invisalign clear aligners

You can eat or drink anything, but ensure you take out your aligners. You also need to floss and brush your teeth after every meal before reinserting your aligners in your mouth. You can drink water with your aligners, provided the water is not hot.  

Your dentist will give you several sets of aligners. Depending on your treatment plan, you will wear each set of aligners for 1 – 2 weeks. Wearing your aligners for the recommended hour daily and switching them out at the right time is important for a successful treatment.

Cleaning the aligners is easy. Ensure you use cold water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove debris on the aligners.

Finishing Invisalign treatment

After your teeth move into the correct alignment, your Invisalign provider will remove the attachments and take your dental impression to make retainers. After Invisalign treatment, your teeth can return to their previous position, but you can keep them in their new positions by wearing your retainers every night.

Some people may need teeth whitening after Invisalign treatment to make their straight teeth whiter and brighter, giving a more attractive smile.

Smile Works Dental is the ideal choice if you’re yet to decide where to undergo your Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth. You can read our reviews online by Clicking here to know more about our Invisalign treatment. Contact us now on 020 7183 4091 to schedule an appointment.