Straighten Your Teeth the Invisible Way!
When it comes to straightening teeth, there’s one orthodontic system that beats them all: Invisalign.
As the world’s best-known orthodontic appliance, Invisalign has been used by over 10 million patients in over 100 countries since it was first introduced in 1997.
The system employs the latest technology in clear aligners (almost invisible dental braces) to straighten teeth and leave you with an attractive smile so you feel more confident. Unlike traditional fixed braces, such as metal train tracks, clear aligners are incredibly discreet and most people will never even notice you’re wearing them.
Benefits of Invisalign
This particular straightening treatment is so popular because:
>The aligners are nearly invisible, making them popular among adults and teenagers who want to avoid the look of traditional metal braces
> Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic which fits snugly over the teeth, providing greater comfort than traditional braces that can cause irritation and soreness
> The clear braces aren’t fixed, so removing the aligners for eating, brushing, and flossing is easy, ensuring good oral hygiene throughout your treatment. After you remove the aligners to brush, simply pop them back in again, and they’ll continue to make your teeth straighter.
> Invisalign uses advanced technology, such as 3D imaging and computer-aided design, to create personalised aligners that gradually shift teeth into their desired position with precision
> Invisalign’s success and huge number of successful cases worldwide has enabled the brand to continuously improve its technology and treatment process, making it a reliable and respected option for teeth straightening
What are Clear Aligners?
Invisalign aligners are made of a clear, smooth medical-grade thermoplastic material called “SmartTrack.”
The clear braces are custom-made for each patient using 3D digital scans of their teeth, which ensures the aligners fit precisely over the teeth, ready to move them into their desired positions.
The SmartTrack material is free from BPA, BPS, latex, and gluten, making it completely safe for patients. Additionally, Invisalign aligners are trimmed along the gumline for greater comfort and to prevent irritation of the gums.
The Invisalign Process
A series of aligners is used to move the teeth incrementally according to a treatment plan developed by the orthodontist. Aligner appliances are ideally suited to adult patients whose lifestyle or work commitments make it difficult for them to wear more visible conventional fixed appliances.
- During your initial consultation, the dentist takes an impression of the patient’s teeth, which is used to create a digital tooth scan. Often this is done using an iTero digital scanner instead of messy dental putty impressions.
- The computerised model suggests stages between the current and desired teeth positions, and aligners are created for each stage.
- Each aligner is worn for two weeks full-time, day and night, except for meal times.
- Progressively, the aligners move the teeth a small distance towards the intended position until the final result is achieved.
How long does Invisalign take?
Invisalign works by moving your teeth using one set of removable invisible braces, one step at a time. The treatment time will depend on the initial positioning of your teeth and how many sets of aligners you need to move them into the correct position. More complex movements (such as rotating a tooth) take longer and will increase the treatment’s complexity and your overall treatment time. That said, the majority of cases are completed within 12 months.
You’ll need to wear your Invisalign braces for 20-22 hours each day.
Our dental practice offers Invisalign treatment for both teens and adults. If you’re interested in finding out more about Invisalign in Croydon, call us at our South Croydon dental practice on 0208 657 1291 to book your free consultation.
