Invisalign is a treatment that uses clear aligners instead of metal wires or brackets to straighten teeth discreetly, making a great alternative to normal metal braces.  Invisalign was the pioneer of the first clear aligners almost 20 years ago and now it is a popular treatment for straightening teeth.

During your Invisalign treatment, the clear aligner trays are custom made for your teeth with a 3D scan. Every few weeks, you will wear a new tray, straightening your teeth and eventually achieving your desired smile.

Invisalign can be used to treat:

• Gaps in the teeth
• An underbite
• A crossbite
• An overbite
• An open bite
• Crowded teeth

The Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

• Compared to traditional braces, the Invisalign trays are more comfortable and discreet
• The clear trays make it easier to maintain oral hygiene
• Straightening your smile helps to boost self-confidence
• Fewer dental visits compared to traditional braces
• During your invisalign treatment, you can eat any food and drink

The Invisalign Process

There are a few steps that go into the Invisalign process, from your first consultation to getting your aligners.

Consultation

The first stage of the Invisalign process is the same as for any other dental treatment: a consultation.

During the consultation, the dentist or orthodontist will assess your teeth and oral health and determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you.  If that is the case, records can be taken on the same day which include intra and extra oral photos and a 3D scan of your teeth.

ClinCheck

The second stage is the Invisalign ClinCheck.

Once the records are sent to Invisalign along with the Invisalign treatment plan, the aligners will be custom made for your teeth. The before and after appearance can be seen through the ClinCheck and once the patient and dentist are happy the treatment can start and the aligners can be fitted.

Receiving Your Aligners

The third stage in your Invisalign treatment is the fitting appointment when you will receive your aligners. One of our dentists or orthodontists will give instructions on how to use the trays, how to clean them and how often appointments should be made with our practice in Kensington.

You need to wear your Invisalign aligners 18 to 22 hours a day as recommended. Don’t drink anything but water while wearing your Invisalign.

Regular check ups and hygienist appointments are highly recommended during the treatment to make sure your teeth are staying healthy.

Review

Review appointments are necessary to check the progress of the treatment, your oral health and, if necessary, creating more aligners to achieve your desired smile.

Final Appointment

Invisalign treatment usually lasts an average of 7-18 months. For more complex cases, it might take up to 2 years. To avoid your teeth moving over time, retainers are used after orthodontic treatment. The dentist can decide to go for clear retainers to use only at night or fixed retainers to keep them in place.

After your Invisalign treatment is completed, other dental treatments can be recommended such as teeth whitening. Composite build ups might also be necessary after the Invisalign treatment as the teeth are sometimes uneven and straightening them might show it even more.

If you wish to start your invisalign journey at our practice in London, arrange a consultation today. Or discover the other orthodontic treatments we offer.