Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign Clear Aligners
1. What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a treatment that involves wearing a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten your teeth. This innovative orthodontic option offers a more discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional braces.
2. How does Invisalign work?
Invisalign works by using a series of custom-made aligners that are specifically designed for your teeth. These aligners apply gentle pressure to gradually shift your teeth into the desired position over time. Each set of aligners is worn for a specific period, typically around one to two weeks, before moving on to the next set.
3. Is it for me?
Whether your smile needs minor improvements or more extensive adjustments, Invisalign clear Aligners can help. It can successfully treat overly crowded teeth at one extreme or widely spaced teeth at the other. It can also relieve more complex issues, including overbites, underbites and even crossbites.
4. How invisible are Invisalign aligners?
Invisalign aligners are made from a clear plastic material, making them virtually invisible when worn on your teeth. This allows you to straighten your teeth discreetly without drawing attention to your orthodontic treatment
5. How long should I wear Invisalign aligners each day?
It is recommended to wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day to achieve the best results. The aligners should only be removed when eating, drinking (except for water), brushing, and cleaning of your teeth.
6. What stages are involved?
Following a thorough consultation to understand your expectations and assess your suitability, photos and a digital scan of the teeth are taken and a clinical analysis made. The aligners are not made straight away, however. Instead, you come back 2-3 weeks later to see a virtual, 3D simulation of the planned tooth movements and treatment time.
So, you get a chance to see the likely finished effect before starting treatment. Once you’re happy, each set of aligners is then manufactured for your specific teeth.
7. How long will it take?
The typical length of treatment for individuals using Invisalign instead of braces can be as little as six to nine months! That's some speedy straightening! This is due to Invisalign aligners ability to perform multiple tooth movements at once. More complex tooth movements can take 12-24 months but this is still often shorter than traditional braces.
8. Can I drink tea and coffee whilst wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners?
While wearing Invisalign aligners, it is advisable to avoid drinking coffee or any colored beverages that may stain the aligners. If you do consume such beverages, it is recommended to remove the aligners temporarily and thoroughly clean your teeth before wearing them again.
9. Can I brush my Invisalign aligners with toothpaste?
Toothpaste should not be used to clean your Invisalign aligners, as it can be abrasive and damage the aligners. We will recommend alternative solutions.
10. Are there any other benefits?
Invisalign is a conservative treatment and does not usually require teeth to be removed, as can be the case with fixed braces.
An added benefit is that the aligners can often be used, under supervision, as whitening trays for home whitening.
11. Are there any limitations or downsides?
Invisalign is not suited to extreme cases of crowding or spacing. Also, the aligners can take a couple of days to get used to initially and speech can be a little affected for the first couple of days – but then things tend to settle back to normal. It may be necessary to extend the course if some teeth are reluctant to move.
12. How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign is a BESPOKE treatment package and not an off the shelf product. Your investment will depend on your desired smile goals and how much work is needed to achieve them. However, in general, Invisalign starts from as little as £1800 and goes up to £4500, depending on the complexity of treatment. The average price is £3550 to £4250 for a medium to complex case and £2950-£3550 for a simple to moderate case.
The surgery also can offer a range of payment options to suit each individual patient's needs including finance options.