Is Invisalign for me?
Here we discuss the importance of your smile and give you some information about Invisalign®
A smile is the best thing you can wear. You wear it every day. It is one of your greatest assets, your personal signature and unique blueprint that you show the world. It is one of the first things people notice about you, and hence it is no wonder that having a beautiful smile has been reported to give people confidence and improve professional success. Not to mention it also makes it a lot easier to clean straight teeth. The good news is, if you're not too happy with your smile or the crookedness/overlapping of your teeth, it is never too late to change it with some help. And sure enough, there are options out there for you to set that smile straight.
When it comes to straightening your teeth, you may be faced with many options. As of 2017, there were more than 27 aligner systems on the market alone. And then you have the question of which is better… aligners or braces? And what about the cost, how long will it take, will it hurt, etc. Here at Cheam Village Dental Studios, we use Invisalign, the market leader for clear aligners. Over 8 million people, including adults and teens, have used Invisalign clear aligners to improve and transform their smiles, confidence and lives. Our patients are our sole purpose and we aim to educate our patients and the public as best we can. So if you're interested, read on, and we would like to put some of those questions to rest.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners. Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear aligners that are custom-made for you and designed to gently and progressively move your teeth towards your desired smile digitally planned by your Orthodontist, Dr Devaki Patel. The aligners have an appearance similar to clear whitening trays and are typically worn for 1-2 weeks prior to progressing to the next aligner in the series. The number of aligners needed varies person to person and is often associated with the complexity of treatment.
Which is better… aligners or braces?
Invisalign provides an excellent alternative to traditional metal ‘train tracks’. It is a very robust system and delivers excellent results. It has become very popular for its ability to be discreet i.e. almost invisible and gives the wearer much more flexibility in their daily lifestyle by allowing them to remove it for eating, drinking and cleaning their teeth (which is not possible with a fixed brace). Apart from this, the aligners do need to be worn for 22 hours in a day and therefore it is up to the individual to wear it for the required amount of time.
It is also important to note, that the success of Invisalign lies in the treatment planning and that is why it is really important for you to consider who is planning and delivering your treatment, their credentials, level of training and experience.
How do I know if I am suitable?
Invisalign is clinically proven to be effective in treating mild to complex cases, but again this depends on the experience of your Invisalign provider. Invisalign can correct crooked teeth, overlapping teeth, spaces between your teeth/ a gap between your front two teeth, a deep bite, an open bite, to name a few.
The best way to know if you are suitable is to arrange a consultation with your Orthodontist, Dr Devaki Patel, where they will carry out an orthodontic assessment and assess whether you are suitable for Invisalign treatment or what other options may be available to you.
How much does it cost?
The price of treatment can vary and often depends on the complexity of the Invisalign. Enquire here to find out about our bespoke full package where you get your appointments, aligners, fixed and removable retainers included!
How long does it take?
The treatment time can vary. For simple or mild cases, the treatment time can be as short as six months. On average, Invisalign treatment will take 12 to 18 months to straighten your teeth. Treatment times will be different person to person as everyone’s teeth are different and that can effect treatment time. It is also important that treatment is not rushed to ensure that there is a gentle force on the teeth to move them as safely as possible.
Does it hurt?
Like any form of orthodontic treatment, one can expect that the teeth will feel ‘bruised’ as they move. The extent of this varies as pain threshold varies person to person. However most people will experience some discomfort or tightness within the first few days of the Invisalign aligners being fitted and also after the aligners are changed (every 1-2 weeks).
Is it worth it?
The answer to this is a personal one as the value you place on improving your smile and your confidence is completely up to you.
To arrange a free no-obligation consultation and your 3D smile scan with us please call or WhatsApp 020 8643 6063 or email info@cheamvillagedentalstudios.co.uk.