Invisalign has become a global phenomenon, dominating the adult orthodontics market, and it’s no wonder why. Thanks to its discreet design, and the flexibility the system offers, Invisalign is the ideal alternative to conventional braces for on-the-go adults. In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at all things Invisalign. From the design and aesthetic of the aligners to the physical and emotional benefits treatment can bring.

Straight teeth are the foundation of a beautiful smile. Seeking orthodontic treatment to correct alignment problems, crowding, widely spaced teeth, and bite issues can make a huge aesthetic difference. But it’s not all about looks. Correctly aligned teeth are also much easier to care for, making brushing and flossing more straightforward. Overlapping teeth and unnatural gaps in your smile can become a hotbed for lingering food particles, putting the health of your teeth and gums at risk in the long term.

Invisalign: what is it, and what are its main properties?

Invisalign consists of custom-made aligners using controlled movement to guide your teeth into a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy position. Some of the aligners’ main properties include:

 

They’re transparent: one of the reasons Invisalign is so popular is the transparency of the aligners, which makes them cosmetically unobtrusive. Some patients even report back that those close to them didn’t even notice their aligners until many weeks had passed!

They’re made from smooth plastic: the plastic used to create your aligners is completely safe and offers a high level of comfort.

They’re bracket and wire-free: Invisalign is gentle on soft tissues in your mouth, as there are no brackets and metal wires.

They’re removable: as a removable treatment, Invisalign gives you the freedom to take the aligners out when you brush and eat.

 

What can I expect from the process?

Consultation: an initial consultation will establish your suitability for Invisalign and provide information on the other types of braces we offer so that you can make an informed choice. We will also seek to understand what you hope to achieve through treatment and ask you a few questions about your lifestyle.

 

If you’re someone who feels you may lack discipline during your treatment, a fixed brace may be more suitable, as Invisalign relies on you to be regimental with your at-home care. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a treatment that gives you a great degree of day-to-day flexibility, this is the treatment for you.

 

Creating your treatment plan: once you have decided to proceed with treatment, we can carefully plan the stages of your Invisalign journey. This involves collecting information like photographs, X-rays, and 3D digital scans (this is a digital version of impressions of your teeth and gums), and sending this to a dedicated Invisalign lab, so your aligners can be custom made.

 

Thanks to 3D treatment planning with ClinCheck ®, we can show you how your teeth will move into a beautiful and healthy position before treatment even begins, and all from the comfort of your own home via Zoom

 

Wearing your aligners: once we receive your aligners from the lab, you can start the aligner wearing part of your Invisalign journey. We will ask you to change the aligners every week at home and come in every six to eight weeks to track your progress.

 

For treatment to be successful, you will need to wear your aligners for 22 hours each day. Treatment with Invisalign is generally between 12-18 months, though this will vary from patient to patient, depending on the issues we address.

 

Wearing your retainer: once your teeth have moved into the desired position, it’s essential that you wear a retainer to make sure your teeth stay in their healthy new position for life. Your retainer will prevent your teeth from moving right back into their original position and ensures your hard work during the aligner wearing period is not sabotaged!

 

Invisalign Teen

Invisalign has also proved supremely popular with teenagers, and the Invisalign Teen system works to move teeth in the same way as the traditional Invisalign system. However, there are a few features of Invisalign Teen that have been included with teens in mind:

 

Set of replacement aligners: it’s not unusual for teenagers to misplace and accidentally damage things, and the experts at Invisalign have anticipated this! Invisalign Teen comes with six free replacement aligners, just in case.

Wear indicators: each aligner includes blue spots to help both patients and parents know when each one needs to be changed.

Guiding the growth of new teeth: the aligners guide the growth of new teeth to sit in a healthy position from the moment they come through.

 

Why choose One80 Dental for treatment with Invisalign?

As with all the orthodontic treatments here at our Sheffield dental practice, we offer a no-obligation consultation with a treatment advisor. So you can discuss the concerns you have with your teeth and what your expectations of treatment are. During this consultation, we can answer any questions you have and help you decide whether Invisalign is the right course of treatment to straighten your smile.

 

Unless your case is particularly complex or you have advanced gum disease, you should be a suitable candidate for treatment with Invisalign.

 

Choose us and benefit from:

• Convenient free video consultations for your safety.
• Attend a review with one of our hygienists as part of your consultation
• Orthodontic treatment delivered by a specialist orthodontist.
• We include whitening in selected packages.
• Finance and payment options are available to help you spread the cost of your chosen treatment.

 

Wear your new smile before you even start treatment!

Thanks to the Invisalign SmileView feature, you can see what your smile might look like by simply uploading a selfie from the comfort of your own home.

 

Contact us today to speak to our friendly and experienced treatment coordinator Kayley, who is currently offering Invisalign consultations on Zoom. Click here to book your appointment, and have your questions about Invisalign answered – from the benefits of treatment through to financing, all from the comfort of your own sofa!