As soon as you start thinking about straightening your teeth, your mind might be filled with visions of you wearing metal train track braces and undergoing painful dental procedures. But then you might come across Invisalign® treatment and think: “Hey, this doesn’t seem so bad?”
And you’d be correct! Though Invisalign® has been around for a few years, clear aligners are still a new concept to many people. So you might be wondering, “how long does Invisalign® take to work?” and “what are the benefits of Invisalign® treatment?”
If you are, then you’re in the right place. In this complete guide to Invisalign® clear braces, our dentists are telling you everything you need to know to make an informed decision, from discussing what Invisalign® treatment is to how much it costs.
If you’re ready to learn more about Invisalign® treatment so you can figure out whether it’s the right option for you, just keep reading!
Firstly, what actually is Invisalign® treatment?
Invisalign® treatment is a minimally-invasive method of teeth straightening that aligns your teeth using several sets of removable clear braces.
Instead of attaching braces using wires and brackets, Invisalign® works by moulding a series of clear aligners to encourage your teeth to shift over time into the desired placement.
Invisalign® designs your clear aligners based on your ideal final result and the digital treatment plan your dentist will create for you, depending on your unique needs.
Who is Invisalign® treatment most suitable for?
Invisalign® treatment is a fantastic tooth straightening option for most people dealing with common issues, like crooked or crowded teeth, gaps between their teeth, and overbites and underbites.
Though there is no stated “minimum” age you have to be for Invisalign® treatment, over the age of six is typically a good starting point for children in need of Invisalign® treatment. Adults can get started at any age; however, it may take longer the later in life you get the treatment.
What are the benefits of Invisalign® treatment vs. traditional braces?
Compared with traditional metal braces, Invisialign® treatment is often the go-to choice for modern patients, thanks to this innovative teeth straightening method’s incredible benefits. Learn more about the benefits below!
Virtually invisible
One of the most apparent benefits of Invisalign® treatment is that clear aligners are barely noticeable when applied to your teeth. Contrary to metal braces, the almost undetectable nature of Invisalign® braces makes them an ideal solution for anyone who doesn’t want to feel conscious about how their teeth look.
Minimally invasive
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign® clear aligners aren’t permanently fixed to your teeth using wires and brackets.
Instead, you apply them over your teeth and can easily take them off as needed, making them the perfect choice if you don’t want anything too invasive.
Non-disruptive
While you do have to wear your Invisalign® clear aligners for between 20 and 22 hours a day to get the maximum benefit, you can simply remove them for special occasions, like a date, party, or wedding.
Once you take your clear aligners off, you can “make up” the time at a later stage. You can also remove your clear aligners while eating or brushing your teeth, allowing you to eat whatever you want without worrying about food getting stuck in your braces!
Less painful
You’ve likely heard horror stories about how painful metal braces can be to apply and adjust. With Invisalign® braces, however, most patients don’t find them overly painful. You may feel slight discomfort when you apply a new set of clear braces, but this tends only to last a few days.
More comfortable
Compared to other braces, Invisalign® aligners are developed using their patented SmartTrack material, which offers a more comfortable, precise fit.
Another benefit of Invisalign® clear braces is that the soft, flexible plastic is much more comfortable for your mouth and less likely to irritate the inside of your cheeks than metal braces.
What is the Invisalign® process like? What results can I expect?
Now that you understand the benefits of Invisalign® let’s talk about what the actual treatment process is like.
Step #1 Examination
During your first examination, your dentist will assess your teeth’ condition, shape, and size and discuss your perfect smile goals.
Step #2 Digital scans
Next, your dentist will take X-rays, photos, measurements, and digital scans of your teeth to get a comprehensive picture of your current condition.
Step #3 Treatment plan
Once your dentist has gathered all the necessary information, they’ll create a personalised digital treatment plan to show you how your Invisalign® treatment will progress.
Step #4 Receive trays
Next, your dentist will order your tailored Invisalign® clear aligner trays from a specialised clear aligner lab and give you new ones every few weeks.
Step #5 Assess progress
Once you’ve been wearing the aligners for a few weeks, your dentist will ensure everything is working and address any of your concerns.
Step #6 Beautiful smile!
After around 6 months (or longer, depending on your unique circumstances), you’re ready to show off that beautiful Hollywood smile and keep it in place with a final set of retainers, which you’ll eventually only wear as you sleep. Learn more about getting that perfect smile with our guide to choosing the right cosmetic dentist for you.
Finally, how much does Invisalign® cost?
Invisalign® generally costs around the same as traditional metal braces. Your dentist will estimate the cost based on the unique complexity of your particular case and the number of clear aligners you’ll need to reach your goals.
Some dentists (like Dickens Yard Dental) will offer financing plans for your Invisalign® so that you can spread the cost of repayments over a few months or even years. At Dickens Yard Dental, treatment starts from £2,600. (Or just £54.60 a month.)
Convinced Invisalign® treatment is the one for you?
Now that you understand what Invisalign® is, its many excellent benefits, and the process, why not take that first step to get your dream smile with Invisalign today?
At Dickens Yard Dental, our Invisalign®-certified dentists are in the business of transforming smiles (and confidence) by delivering premium cosmetic dentistry services with impeccable results. From teeth whitening to porcelain veneers, our dentists create smiles so good, you’ll never want to hide it again!
Oh, and did we mention we are nervous-patient proof? Everything from our friendly approach to our relaxing, modern clinic in Ealing, London will instantly put you at ease, no matter the treatment. Book a treatment or chat to us today to get started.
