Teeth straightening methods are commonly associated with pain, so it may surprise you to learn that there are now straightening options that offer minimum discomfort throughout the process. One such option is Invisalign St Albans. Invisalign is a type of clear brace which is used to achieve greater tooth alignment. Several of these aligners are used, consecutively, to progressively move the teeth from one position to another. Each of these aligners is marginally different from the last, thus causing the teeth to move.
What kind of cases can be treated with Invisalign braces?
Many different dental issues can be addressed through the use of Invisalign aligners. Whether your teeth are overcrowded or overspaced, you could be a candidate for an Invisalign care plan. Overbite, underbite and crossbite are all treatable with these clear aligners. They can be used for both adults and teenagers so if you are an adolescent (or a parent of one) these transparent braces could also be an option for you. To get a better idea as to whether Invisalign is a suitable treatment for you, book a consultation with a qualified Invisalign practitioner.
What does the process of Invisalign look like?
To begin with, your invisalign dentist will utilise a few different tools to create your personalised plan. These can include: photos, X-rays, impressions and digital scans. A 3D image can then be created which would allow you to view your end goal digitally.
The impressions and scans would be sent off for your customised braces to then be made. These are designed to fit your teeth snugly, allowing for little movement, and can be trimmed to fit your gum line in order to reduce the chances of discomfort caused by rubbing. When the aligners are ready, you will be invited for an appointment to check the fit of your first aligner, and to receive the instructions and aligners you need before your next check-up.
Check-ups happen regularly in order for your dentist to be able to see what kind of progress your teeth are making. This also affords you the opportunity to make any enquiries that you may want to throughout the process.
Because each patient is different, it is important to recognise that the full process will take varying lengths of time depending on an individual’s needs. As a rough guide, treatment can take anywhere from 6-24 months to complete, and when your teeth are in their final position you must ensure that you continue to wear your aligners to maintain this.
Are there any advantages to the process that I should be aware of?
Absolutely! There are lots of advantages to using clear aligners to realign your teeth. Firstly, they are removable, giving you the freedom to eat and drink as you wish, remove them for sports if necessary (it is important to make sure that you wear them for the recommended 22 hours daily) and also enabling you to take them out for teeth cleaning. In turn, maintaining good oral health is a benefit to the lifespan of your teeth, and can help towards preventing other dental problems.
Your treatment plan is created in advance. This gives you the benefit of predictability through the knowledge of when each change in your aligners should come, and how long the overall process should take. In addition to this, the transparency of the braces means that they are unlikely to be noticed by friends and colleagues. This may improve your confidence in your journey to straighter teeth. Results can start to be seen in as little as one month!
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