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10 things you should know about Invisalign

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Here are 10 important common questions answered about Invisalign teeth straightening treatment. 

 

1. What is Invisalign treatment?

 Over 5 million people worldwide have benefited from Invisalign treatment, it can straighten crooked or crowded teeth to give a natural straight smile.

It works by wearing a series of thin trays similar to a gum-shield which fits over the teeth, each tray is worn for 1-2 weeks then changed for the next tray in the sequence which gradually straightens the teeth in a predictable and controlled way. 

The trays are worn daily and removed for eating and brushing making it popular compared to traditional fixed metal braces which can make it difficult to eat and brush with. The picture below shows an Invisalign tray. 

invisalign tray

2. Who should I see for my Invisalign treatment?

The goal of Invisalign treatment is to achieve a bright white beautiful straight smile. However, in most cases to achieve a brilliant final smile with Invisalign, it will usually require other types of Cosmetic treatments such as Teeth whitening and Composite Bonding to complete the treatment and achieve that fantastic dazzling smile. Therefore finding a Dentist who has both Invisalign and Cosmetic Dentistry experience is important.

3. How much does Invisalign cost?

As with any type of braces treatment, the cost of Invisalign treatment depends on the level of crookedness and crowding of your teeth. However as a guide the investment for Invisalign can be between £3,000 and £4,000 which normally includes all the Invisalign trays required from start to finish. It is possible to spread out the cost of treatment with 0% Interest Free Credit making the treatment more affordable

4. How long does Invisalign take?

The more crooked and crowded the teeth are to begin with, the longer it will take to complete treatment. Usually treatment can take between 6-12 months to complete, however some complex cases can take up to 18 months. After this usually some teeth whitening and composite bonding is required to complete the treatment and create a fantastic final smile. 

5. How long should each aligner be worn for?

The Invisalign aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day and removed for when you eat, drink or brush your teeth. If the aligners are not worn for the required time then treatment may take longer to complete or worse still, the teeth will not move fully as planned giving a final result which is not the best which could have been achieved.

6. How do the aligners feel like in the mouth?

As with anything new, the aligners will feel different and new in your mouth to begin with. However you quickly get used to them and even forget they are in whilst you go about your day. When new aligners are changed every 1-2 weeks you may feel some slight tenderness but this is a good sign that the teeth are moving.

7. Will people notice me wearing the aligners ?

Invisalign is a clear brace treatment which uses clear transparent virtually invisible aligners. It has been designed and developed to be nearly invisible, so it is difficult for other people to notice you wearing it. 

8. Will Invisalign make me speak differently and can I eat with them?

At the beginning you  may notice some change in your speech however after a few days your tongue gets used to the aligners and speech returns to normal. One of the benefits of Invisalign is they can be removed before eating and drinking meaning you don’t have to avoid any foods during your treatment. You should not be eating and drinking (water is fine) whilst wearing the trays as this can damage and distort the trays. 

9. What is interproximal reduction (IPR)?

When teeth are crowded and crooked, it is usually because a there is a lack of space for the teeth to be straight and aligned. During Invisalign treatment this missing space is created so that the crooked and crowded teeth can be gently moved into a straight position. 

In the past this space was commonly created by removing teeth however in modern day braces treatment a technique called “interproximal reduction” is used. 

This involves accurately smoothing the edges between teeth to create a few millimetres of space which is enough to then align the teeth into line and make them straight. The procedure is not painful nor does it harm the teeth. 

10. How often do I need to visit the Dentist during Invisalign treatment?

Usually you would need visit every 4- 6 weeks to check the progress of your treatment and for you to collect your next set 4 of aligners. At some of these visits you may also require interpoximal reduction (IPR) before you start the next set of aligners. 

 

I hope this helped you find the answers to some of the common Invisalign questions. For a FREE Invisalign before & after smile evaluation of your teeth click here or book a FREE Invisalign consultation by clicking here.  

Are you thinking about about having Invisalign treatment? Comment below.

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