Deciding If Invisalign Treatment Is Right For You

Thankfully, you can also opt for Invisalign braces, which are made from a clear plastic and are completely removable. This system is not only discreet, it also helps you to maintain good oral hygiene throughout treatment. In short, it ticks all of the boxes.

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.

Alternatives to Invisalign include metal fixed braces, clear fixed braces or lingual braces. This leaves those looking for teeth straightening solutions with a lot of options to choose from. In this guide, we’re looking at the factors that might influence your decision and help you to choose Invisalign as your orthodontic system.

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.

These images and imprints help to design the treatment plan. The optimum path of movement for every tooth is chosen and then this allows your dentist to create a series of plastic aligners. As you move through the case, your teeth will move on a specific path, getting closer and closer to perfect alignment.

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. And since you can see the results before you start, you know exactly what you are working towards.

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. It can also be much less obvious to others that they are having treatment, which is perfect for self-conscious teenagers. For parents who are concerned about their teens sticking to the treatment plan, wear indicators will let your dentist know if the aligners have been worn for the required time.

Adults love the treatment as it is fast and flexible. There are fewer dental checkups, as you don’t need to visit the dentist for every adjustment. You will change your aligners at home and then visit the dentist periodically to check that the treatment is progressing as it should.

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.

Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?

To be a good candidate for Invisalign, you should have good overall oral health and be willing to commit to following the treatment plan. You’ll need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours per day, taking them out only to eat and drink anything other than water. You’ll also remove your aligners to brush your teeth.

There is no upper age limit for Invisalign. It’s not determined by age, but it is determined by how healthy your teeth are and if they are likely to respond well to the treatment.

If you suspect that you might not be able to stick to this plan for any reason, we can explore alternative treatment plans. Common reasons that you would avoid this treatment include:

• If you are forgetful or likely to lose your aligners, you may not want the stress of having to remember to wear your aligners. You might find alternative treatment plans are much less stressful for you.

• Individuals with small or misshapen teeth might not be able to choose this treatment plan. This is because the aligners will struggle to hold on to shorter or small teeth. In this case, you might consider veneers or composite bonding to help improve the appearance of your smile.

• If you have active gum disease, it will be essential to get this under control before starting any cosmetic treatment. You need to have healthy gums before starting orthodontic treatment as your gums provide support for your teeth. Without a healthy foundation, there is little sense in investing in your smile.

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. Since the brackets and wires are hidden, it’s a much less obvious treatment plan.

With clear fixed braces, we use tooth-coloured brackets and clear wires to straighten your teeth in a more discreet way. These work in the same way as traditional fixed braces, but the wires and brackets are much less visible.

All of these methods will allow you to achieve incredible results. For minor imperfections, or to upgrade your smile without orthodontics, you may consider veneers or composite bonding. These cosmetic treatments will help to enhance your smile without waiting a long time for orthodontic treatment.

Does Invisalign last forever?

Like all orthodontic treatments, Invisalign will only last for as long as you continue to wear your retainer. At the end of your orthodontic treatment, you will stop wearing your aligners in the day time and switch to a night time retainer.

If you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will move back to the position that is easiest for them. This might not be perfect alignment, so you can expect your alignment issues to return gradually.

To help prevent this, you should wear your retainer every night to keep your teeth looking beautiful. You may also request a fixed retainer, which will attach to the back of your teeth and keep your teeth in the correct alignment.

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 can expect to achieve.