Invisalign

You might prefer to wear braces                             Or have nearly invisible,

on the inside of your teeth.                                    removable braces.

What is Invisalign

Invisalign is a revolutionary new way to correct and straighten teeth without the need for fixed braces. Instead of the traditional metal bands and wires that fit round the teeth, the Invisalign system uses a series of removable transparent plastic covers that fit over the teeth.. Designed with the dental customer in mind, and by using the latest technology, our London dentists will be able to build up a complete 3D profile enabling you to see in advance the outcome of your treatment. With Invisalign your dentist will be able to give you the even teeth and great smile that you have always wanted. First designed and produced by dentists in the USA in 1999, Invisalign is now being used by some specialist London dentists who like ourselves have seen the benefits and advantages to our dental patients.

Watch the Invisalign Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCM7HTQLW5g

Invisalign works in much the same way as a conventional dental brace does, that is by exerting pressure upon the teeth to move them to their desired position. However, unlike the traditional and cumbersome metal brace, the Invisalign is completely transparent ,discreet, easy to wear and removable. Sometimes referred to as “invisible braces” the Invisalign system has changed the whole process of dental straightening for dentists and their patients alike.

Hundreds of thousands of people have already benefited from dentists using Invisalign and the number of satisfied Invisalign users is growing each year in London alone. Dentists and orthodontists alike recommend Invisalign as being a safe and effective means to straighten teeth. The Invisalign suits many people who felt that they had left it too late in life to visit the dentist to either have their teeth straightened or an unsightly gap in their teeth removed. Many of these have taken the plunge and through Invisalign are now benefiting from the increased confidence that having a perfect smile can bring. Invisalign treatment is now available in London from specialist dentists like ourselves who have been professionally trained in Invisalign technology and it is possible that, in many cases, the days of the metal brace are numbered.

Why are Crooked Teeth a Problem?

The Invisalign Technique

The Invisalign technique is a great way of straightening mildly irregular teeth for people who want to see an improvement in their smile, but don’t want to wear fixed braces.

A series of clear plastic aligners are worn over a period of time to straighten teeth. The aligners need to be worn a minimum of 22 hours per day and are taken out for eating and drinking.  They need to be changed every two weeks and so the patient is given several aligners to take home between orthodontic visits, but still need to be seen by an orthodontist every 6-8 weeks. Often the teeth need to be reduced in size (filed) by a fraction of a millimeter as part of the treatment. The advantages of this technique are that the aligners are very aesthetic and can be removed for social occasions and cleaning. However, they won’t work if they are not worn for a substantial part of the day!

Invisalign cannot solve every orthodontic problem, but the results for many people can be impressive. Our orthodontists are Invisalign accredited and have experience of using this technique.

Straight Talk about Crooked Teeth

The Invisalign Aligner

The invisalign aligner is a deceptively simple clear plastic appliance that fits in the mouth over the teeth, It is completely transparent and virtually unnoticeable. Dentists will ensure that you wear it for approximately 22 hours per day and it can be removed by the wearer for food or drink or whenever strictly necessary. The invisalign aligner is changed by your dentist every 2 weeks allowing the teeth to slowly move and be corrected into their new position in a natural and stress-free way. As your dentist we will closely monitor progress and give regular dental checkups during the entire process.

Why use Insialign to straighten teeth

For some people a crooked tooth or gap can add interest and character to the face but for most people, such dental imperfections can cause an extreme loss of confidence and anxiety especially when speaking or smiling in public. Dentists hear this all the time from their patients and everybody knows that the teeth are the first thing that most people notice, and that an even and confident smile can speak volumes. However healthy your teeth may be, if they stick out with overbite, or are crooked or have a very noticeable gap or gaps then this is a feature that many people ask dentists to correct, using invisalign or otherwise.

Am I too old to have my teeth straightened?

Many people think that once they have reached adulthood, that it is too late for them to even think about having their teeth straightened, (with invisalign or conventional braces) but this is not so. In our London dental practice we have already successfully treated many people of many different ages using Invisalign and other London dentists who also specialise in Invisalign will be able to testify to the same. Thanks to Invisalign there are many more beautiful smiles on the streets of London than there ever were before. It did use to be the case that dentists only carried out orthodontic work on teenagers because it was mistakenly believed that straightening would only be effective when carried out on teeth that were still growing. Today dentists know otherwise. It has been proven that dental straightening is just as effective on adults and age is no barrier to this process.

How long does treatment take?

Invisalign treatment can take between 6 – 18 months depending upon the individual’s teeth and severity of the problem. During this time the dentist will monitor progress and provide regular check ups.

Invisalign Process

As your dentist we will first give a consultation and assess the mouth and the natural alignment of your teeth. The next step will be to then take an impression of the teeth by making a mould using dental putty. As your dentist we will take many photographs of the teeth from all angles paying special attention to your smile which is, of course, very important!

This information will be sent to the Invisalign laboratory in London where it will be processed by highly skilled technicians using the latest technology. The mould and the photographs provide the information enabling a 3D digital model to be created. The 3D digital model is then used to make a simulation of your face and teeth, showing their present position in the mouth and then moving towards the desired final position. This simulation maps the path of the movement of the teeth, enabling the laboratory to make a complete set of Invisalign aligners that will be worn progressively for two week periods at a time. So before the treatment even begins you will be able to see the final outcome from the simulation of your face. You will see where the teeth will move to and exactly how your smile will look after the treatment has been completed. You will be involved in the process from start to finish and there will be no final surprises. As your dentist we will be able to fully explain how to use the aligners and will monitor your progress throughout the process. It is important that the Invisalign aligner is worn for approximately 22 hours per day to enable the best dental results in the shortest amount of time to be achieved.

The advantages of Invisalign over conventional braces

Conventional metal braces have been used to straighten teeth since the early 1960s. As all dentists and anyone who has ever worn one knows, they are very effective at straightening teeth but they do have problems. The fixed metal brace is usually uncomfortable, especially to begin with. Extreme care has to be taken in removing pieces of food caught in the wires and unless the patient is extremely careful, many dentists then have to carry out a series of fillings after the brace is removed. Conventional braces also sometimes cut and irritate the gum. The Invisalign aligners are removed for eating so dental hygiene is not a problem. Normal brushing and flossing is adequate to protect your teeth and the invisalign aligner can simply be rinsed under the tap. The Invisalign is smooth and comfortable to wear and does not cut into the gum or irritate the mouth.

Conventional metal braces exert a lot of pressure onto the teeth as they move the teeth into shape which can cause discomfort. The Invisalign applies a gentle and constant pressure to the teeth and if the wearer experiences slight discomfort when the new aligner is introduced into the mouth this is a slight discomfort that quickly wears off. Most people tell us that they find the Invisalign very comfortable to wear. Your dentist will be able to advise you fully, during the frequent check ups, in the unlikely case that you have any problems.

One of the most important advantages of the Invisalign over the conventional wire brace is the appearance. The Invisalign is discreet and practically unnoticeable. For an adult undergoing dental straightening treatment this means that they can continue with their normal life, work, meetings and social occasions without the embarrassment of wearing a noticeable brace which are more normally associated with being worn by children and teenagers. For many people in London this factor would make the wearing of a conventional brace completely impossible. Can you imagine going to an interview, interviewing clients, addressing a business meeting or going on a date wearing metal dental braces? The Invisalign aligner is practically invisible and can be removed in exceptional circumstances. The Invisalign wearer can get on with their life with the minimum of disruption, discomfort or social embarrassment.

For most people the invisalign system will work perfectly but occasionally for a minority with extreme orthodontic conditions, the Invisalign may not be as effective. The Invisalign applies a gentle and constant pressure on the teeth and for some extreme conditions this gentle pressure will not exert enough force over the teeth to move them sufficiently. However our dentists will be able to tell this in advance and will be able to advise action to take, by using the more conventional teeth straightening methods that are available.

To be successful the Invisalign must be worn as often as possible. The dentist will fit the Invisalign and will monitor progress but the wearer’s input must be taken into consideration. As the device is removable it can be tempting to take it out and if the Invisalign is removed too often, progress will be slowed and the final result delayed. This point should be considered before embarking on treatment, especially if you are contemplating arranging Invisalign for a teenager who may find it tempting to remove the appliance too often.