Deciding If Invisalign Treatment Is Right For You

Invisalign has become a byword for discreet teeth straightening using a virtually invisible method to gently but effectively move teeth into alignment.

This treatment now comes with the added benefit that patients can see the predicted end result before their treatment has even begun with the iTero® 3D Scanner.

There are a number of different choices for people looking to straighten their teeth including ceramic or metal fixed braces, lingual braces that are fitted behind the teeth or Invisalign.

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign is a particularly popular choice of teeth straightening treatment with adults due to its discreet appearance and flexibility.

Patients having their teeth straightened using Invisalign will have tailor-made aligners created for them that they wear for a set period of time before switching to a new slightly different aligner to continue to move the teeth. This continues until the process is complete.

The aligners can be removed to eat and to brush teeth helping to maintain good hygiene and reduce problems that could lead to decay or staining.

At the end of treatment, patients are generally asked to wear a retainer at times to prevent teeth from moving over time. Without this simple intervention, your teeth will eventually fall out of alignment again.

To work out exactly what movement is needed for each individual patient, dentists need to get the shape of the existing teeth – and the ideal end result just right. To do this they traditionally take imprints of the teeth along with x-rays and photographs.

See the results before treatment begins

Orthodontic treatment traditionally started with messy impressions taken in putty. These were used to design the treatment plan. The introduction of the iTero® 3D Scanner has revolutionised this process.

Gone is the mess and discomfort of taking putty imprints as this specialised machine is used to take a 3D scan of the patient’s mouth. The iTero® 3D Scanner uses a wand-like device to take a picture of the inside of the mouth, capturing all the essential information such as bite, teeth spacing and alignment.

This method is Highly accurate, and the iTero® 3D Scanner can even cut down on the number of appointments needed thanks to its pinpoint precision.

There is the additional bonus that patients can have a sneak preview of how their teeth will look once the Invisalign treatment is complete before even starting it. The scanner creates a 3D image of your smile and then AI tracks the optimal movement of each tooth. This allows us to generate an image of how your smile could look after treatment.

We have found that seeing the results helps patients to stay on track with their treatment plans. When they know exactly what they are working towards, it becomes much easier to commit to wearing their aligners for 20-22 hours per day.

Suitable for teenagers and adults, Invisalign is a discreet, efficient way to straighten your teeth – while being assured of the end result.

What can Invisalign treat?

It’s a common misconception that Invisalign is only suitable for those with mild orthodontic issues. We can use attachments and precision wings to help get a better grip on your teeth and even adjust your bite.

Invisalign is perfect for alignment issues, bite problems and closing gaps in your smile. Overcrowding can also be addressed using this treatment plan. It’s also highly versatile for both adults and teenagers.

Teenagers often prefer this treatment plan as it allows them to continue to eat their favourite foods and play sports without worrying.

To find out if you could be an eligible candidate for Invisalign, we encourage you to book a consultation with our team. This will allow you to explore all of the options available to you and ask questions about the various treatment plans.

What if I’m not a candidate for Invisalign?

If you aren’t a suitable candidate for Invisalign but you would still like to explore discreet orthodontic options, you could also choose treatments like lingual braces or clear fixed braces.

Lingual braces are fixed metal braces that attach to the back of your teeth and serve the same function as traditional fixed braces but in a much more discreet way.

With clear fixed braces, we use tooth-coloured brackets and clear wires to straighten your teeth in a more discreet way. All of these methods will allow you to achieve incredible results.

Book your consultation today

Ready to talk about Invisalign and other teeth straightening options? Book a consultation with our team today. This is your chance to ask questions and learn more about the treatments and what results you could expect to achieve.