Invisalign is one of the most popular modern orthodontic treatments and it’s no surprise as it provides a solution for the hundreds of people who want to have orthodontic treatment but don’t want to wear visible braces.
Invisalign is an invisible teeth straightening method; rather than conventional fixed braces, Invisalign uses a series of removable aligners to move the teeth. The aligners are made from clear plastic, which means that they are almost completely invisible to others and cannot be seen when you smile. Invisalign is a popular treatment for adult and teenage patients in Edinburgh and cities all over the world.
This impressive invisible brace system is beneficial because it gives patients the opportunity to get the smile they have always wanted without the anxiety or worry of wearing visible braces. Many people dislike their smile, but choose no to have treatment because they don’t want to wear braces that are highly visible. Now, there is a solution and Invisalign has understandably taken the world by storm.
Invisalign aligners are shaped to encourage the teeth to move. Each aligner is slightly different in shape and form to allow room for movement and guide the teeth steadily in the right direction. Treatment is planned in advance and the aligners are fabricated according to detailed information and images of the patient’s mouth, which are sent to the laboratory by the patient’s orthodontist. The information is used to produce a series of bespoke aligners and each aligner is worn for 2 weeks and then replaced with the next aligner; it is important that the aligners are worn in the correct order in order to ensure perfect results..
Although the aligners are removable, they should be worn for at least 21-22 hours per day, every day. If patients remove their aligners for long periods of time during the day, there is a chance that treatment will not be successful. The aligners should be taken out when you eat, drink or brush your teeth.
Invisalign can be used to treat an array of orthodontic problems, including:
Treatment time with Invisalign varies according to the individual patients; in minor cases, when less movement is required, treatment may take as little as 6-9 months, while more complex cases will take longer. Average treatment time with Invisalign is 12 months. Prospective patients should expect to pay in the region of £3,000 although costs will vary according to your individual needs and the practice or clinic you visit.
The team behind Invisalign has also launched systems that are designed for patients with minor orthodontic problems and teenage patients; these are known as Invisalign Lite and Invisalign Teen respectively. Invisalign Lite and Invisalign Teen work in the same way as Invisalign, but Invisalign Lite uses fewer aligners, meaning that treatment is quicker and Invisalign Teen has additional features, which are designed to make the treatment process simpler for younger patients. Invisalign Teen aligners have colour indicators to remind patients when to swap their aligner and patients are also give spare aligners.