Tooth Straightening
Invisalign braces are a really discreet way to straighten your teeth. Almost invisible to the casual eye they are made up of a series of clear aligners which you can remove with no need for metal brackets or metal wires. That is why they are one of the most popular braces systems in the world.
How do Invisalign braces work?
Invisalign aligners are made of clear strong plastic which are 3D printed from a digital scan of your teeth. The aligners are then made with each one subtlety different from the last such that the teeth are moved a fraction at a time. Each aligner is worn for two weeks and only removed to drink, eat and clean your teeth.
You will need to visit our dental practice every six weeks so we can monitor your progress of treatment, with total treatment time being on average nine to fifteen months and the average number of aligners required being between eighteen to thirty aligners. However this may vary according to your individual needs.
How does Invisalign straighten my teeth?
The custom aligners apply a gentle force to align your teeth. Each aligner only concentrates on particular teeth. This makes for a very efficient treatment plan.
Is Invisalign right for me?
Invisalign can treat a broad range of tooth misalignment, we also use it as a part of other dental work where we know putting teeth in the correct place can enhance and simplify other treatments. Anyone interested in Invisalign will receive a full smile examination and chance to discuss their wishes and expectations far in advance of committing to the treatment. Even if you aren’t sure about it we can help answer your questions by coming to see us for a smile consultation.
What else should I know about Invisalign?
There will be mild discomfort when you first wear your aligner. Don’t worry, that is not unusual with dental braces and most patients find this goes away after a couple of days.
There is also a possibility that the aligners will affect your speech, but this also tends to be a short-lived inconvenience.
There are no restrictions on what you can eat during treatment – as long as you take your aligners out first – and you can brush your teeth and aligners afterwards.
Smoking is discouraged as it can lead to staining of the aligners, and we don’t advise chewing gum.
How do you clean your aligners?
The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing them with a toothbrush, and don’t forget to clean your teeth while you are at it!
Aligners should be worn for around 23 hours per day. The other hour should give you enough time to eat and clean your teeth and aligners.
When treatment is complete you need a retainer to wear at night to make sure your teeth stay straight, we include these Invisalign specific retainers in the treatment.
What are the benefits of choosing Invisalign?
Patients who choose Invisalign in Scotland find it offers a very discreet option for teeth straightening. They are removable, which means you can eat and drink without any hardship and this also makes cleaning your teeth and of course the aligners a lot easier.
What is more you are likely to find Invisalign aligners a lot more comfortable than metal braces. Using Invisalign’s computer simulation we can even indicate you how your treatment will stage will look before you start.