Invisalign: How Does it Actually Work?

You’ve decided that you want straighter teeth and to transform your smile- now you may be wondering- should I choose Invisalign or stick with traditional braces? What actually is Invisalign and does it work?

Dr Ian Kok explains all you need to know about Invisalign below.

Straightening your teeth with Invisalign will provide a host of rewards to your overall oral health and appearance, all without causing any disruption to your daily life. You can speak, eat and laugh with confidence and no one will even notice you are undergoing a bold, revolutionary treatment! 

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign consists of a series of clear, removable aligners which are custom made to fit your smile and are designed to apply specific and gentle pressure to reposition and straighten the teeth over time. 

In order to apply tension to certain teeth and direct them into the correct position your dentist will attach tooth coloured attachments to particular teeth. The tooth attachments used are made from a composite resin material- similar to that used in dental fillings. No drilling or anaesthetic is required to place them and once treatment is complete your dentist can remove them in a very straightforward and painless procedure. 

The aligners are completely removable meaning you can still eat the foods you love without the hassle of food getting stuck between braces and keeping the maintenance of excellent oral hygiene as simple as before.

How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?

Everyone’s Invisalign journey is different. A treatment plan is tailor made to address the specific concerns relating to your case.

Invisalign begins to work from the very first aligner and on average the majority of Invisalign cases are completed from start to finish in 1 to 1.5 years. While treatment time is closely correlated to the complexity of the individual case, some milder cases may be completed in 6-9months. 

Usually aligners need to be changed every 1-2 weeks- which allows the gradual and safe movement of your teeth until you reach your beautiful new smile. Your dentist will want to carry out monthly check up appointments to ensure that everything is progressing as expected.  

You will be given a detailed treatment plan with an estimated time until completion after your teeth have been scanned and the treatment plan put in place at your first appointment.

Is Invisalign Treatment Painful?

Invisalign involves the application of gentle forces on the teeth over a prolonged period of time making it completely safe and pain free.

Some patients will experience some slight discomfort when they change to a new aligner as the teeth begin to move- this is all completely manageable with over the counter pain relief and rest assured will only last for a few days. Most patients will report less discomfort with Invisalign than with traditional braces.

The invisalign aligners are thin and custom made to fit snugly against your teeth- after using your aligners for 1-2 days your mouth and tongue will adjust so you will hardly notice you are wearing them.  

Can Everyone Get Invisalign?

Invisalign is highly accessible and is suitable for the vast majority of mild to moderate orthodontic cases. Thankfully- there is no age limit on who can achieve a straight smile with Invisalign- adults and teenagers of any age will benefit from this innovative treatment. 

Patients with more advanced or severe tooth alignment or bite issues may not be suitable for Invisalign- however this doesn't necessarily mean that straight teeth are out of reach, other options may need to be considered such as traditional braces. Your dentist will be able to make the right recommendation for your orthodontic, straightening treatment at your consultation. 

Should I Choose Invisalign or Traditional Braces?

The Invisalign system of aligners has a proven track record for safely and efficiently correcting tooth position while being extremely discreet and keeping life hassle free. However there are certain cases where traditional braces may be more appropiate to give you the smile you desire. 

Invisalign

• Best for mild- moderate tooth alignment or bite issues 
• Virtually invisible and extremely discreet 
• Must be worn at least 22 hours a day and require a motivated individual 
• Easy to maintain oral hygiene
• Aligners can be removed when eating

Traditional braces

• Suitable for all treatment cases- whether mild, moderate or severe 
• Can achieve more precise and fine tuned movements than Invisalign
• Traditional braces tend to be less discreet- however ceramic and tooth coloured braces are available 
• More difficult to maintain excellent oral hygiene 
• Certain foods must be avoided to prevent breakage of the brace 

Both Invisalign and traditional braces will bring you to your end goal of straighter teeth- your dentist will be able to advise you on the best option depending on your individual needs at your initial consultation. 

What to Expect At Your Invisalign Consultation

Your Invisalign consultation is a time for you to discuss the main concerns you have with your teeth and to put in place all your aesthetic smile goals.

Using state-of-the-art equipment a digital scan and photos of your teeth are taken by your dentist- these are then analysed and assessed by Invisalign technicians.

Approximately 3 weeks from your initial appointment your dentist will be able to show you a completed video showing how we expect your smile to change over the treatment to give you an idea of the final result.

They will also have a treatment plan for you at this point, detailing exactly how long your treatment will take for each stage – only once you are happy with everything will your dentist proceed with ordering your bespoke Invisalign aligners to be fabricated. 

If you are interested in transforming your smile and think you would benefit from having straighter teeth get in touch today and book your initial consultation  or - Call us on 015252670 today.