Tag: teeth straightening

What exactly does Invisalign do?

Clear aligners place gentle pressure on teeth to help them move into their correct, straight position.  You change these trays sequentially every 2 weeks.  Tray 1 looks like your teeth now but with your final tray your teeth will look straight.

Does Invisalign work?

Yes, Invisalign is a proven and effective method. With over 14 million patients over the world, Invisalign is a proven and effective method of straightening teeth.  In fact a lot of orthodontists also offer it to patients as an alternative discrete way of braces.

How is Invisalign made?

It all starts with a scanner of your teeth to make a 3D image.  Using modern software we can plot the ideal movement of your teeth to create your series of aligners.  We can then create a mock-up view of what your smile is likely to look like at the end of treatment.  Once you go ahead the series of aligners are laser cut for each stage, ensuring minimal discomfort wear.

Is Invisalign better than conventional braces?

Neither is better – it depends really on the complexity of your case, your preference and your lifestyle.  Generally Invisalign is almost invisible and aligners are removable, allowing removal for eating, brushing and special occasions or meetings. 

Invisalign treatment is good for mild overcrowding, spacing, and minor bite issues. Invisalign is a smoother plastic, compared to the wires/brackets that can irritate with conventional braces. Conventional braces are better for severe or complex cases, as well as overbites, underbites and crossbites.

What are the disadvantages of Invisalign?

The main cons of Invisalign is the:

• Need for strong discipline – aligners need to be worn approximately 22 hours a day
• Initial speech impediment and discomfort – there is usually a slight lisp and some discomfort the first time you wear an aligner
• Inconvenience – aligners must be removed after eating/drinking, and brushing needs to be done after every meal
• Increased risk of misplacement or damage of aligners as they are removable
• Increased staining – aligners can stain and attachments placed on teeth are more prone to picking up stain
• Non-suitability for complex cases such as severe crowding or where there are significant bite issues

How long does Invisalign take?

Treatment time is typically 6 to 18 months, with milder cases taking around 3-6 months.  It does depend on your needs, age, compliance (aligners need to be worn minimally 20-22hours/day) and plan. 

What is Invisalign lite?

Invisalign lite is a more express version of Invisalign, for correcting minor dental issues like slight crowding, small gaps, or very mild issues of front teeth.  It needs fewer aligners and is done more quickly than full Invisalign, making it also more affordable for simpler needs.

Does Invisalign hurt?

Invisalign does cause mild pressure on teeth resulting in some initial discomfort or soreness.  This is especially when starting your journey or when changing to your next aligner.  This usually reduces within a few days and is considered a sign that the teeth are moving.  

What is the 30 minute rule with Invisalign?

The rule is that you should wait for 30 minutes when you eat or drink anything other than water before putting your aligners back in.  This allows time to clean your teeth properly and for your enamel to harden up after acids from food, reducing decay and staining.