Invisalign

Invisalign is a modern approach to orthodontic dentistry, swapping the old traditional fixed metal wires for discreet clear aligners to move your teeth to a more desirable position.  Even if restorative options such as porcelain veneers are sought after, Invisalign provides the advantage of being able to carry out little to no preparation of teeth, as the teeth are in a much favourable position. Although, from experience it is surprising how many people are happy once their teeth are aligned, and tooth whitening carried out. 

Using a series of clear plastic aligners which are worn for 22-23 hours/day and swapped on a weekly basis, your teeth will slowly begin to move. Having the advantage of being able to remove them to eat, drink and clean your teeth they are the go-to system for the younger demographic and those with busy work-life schedules, requiring limited appointments. 

What our Invisalign plans include;

• Comprehensive dental health examination

• Digital scan and smile simulation

• Panoral Full Face Radiograph

• ClinCheck Prescription

• All Invisalign review appointments included

• 3 years’ worth of removable Vivera/Essix retainers

• Fixed retainers (if required)

• Complimentary tooth whitening

Whats Involved

1) The Consultation & Planning

Once your dentition is deemed stable and healthy and Invisalign is the chosen method of orthodontic treatment, we need to create a ClinCheck. A ClinCheck is a video sequence which will simulate how your teeth will move throughout the course of treatment. Using clinical photographs, radiographs, and a 3D digital iTero scan of your teeth a prescription will be submitted by Gary and returned within 10-14 days. At this point, we will either invite you back into surgery or use online video presentation software, to review your ClinCheck, ensuring that you are happy and aware of the proposed tooth movements and expected result. It is also at this stage that Gary will be able to give you a rough estimate on the length of your Invisalign treatment.

It is important to note that Gary offers two main types of Invisalign system:

1. Invisalign Lite

   1. Maximum of only 14 aligners per course with additional refinements available

   2. Mainly used in cases for minimal movements

2. Invisalign Full

   1. Unlimited number of aligners over a 5-year period

   2. Use for complex tooth movement sequences

2) The First Appointment 

Once the ClinCheck is approved it will take two weeks for the aligners to be manufactured and shipped back to the surgery. Once they are delivered, we will arrange your first appointment with Gary to have them fitted. During this first fit appointment professional photographs will be taken prior to starting. Then Gary will carry out IPR (if required) , place your composite attachments and provide you with your first sets of aligners as well as arrange your appointment schedule required until the end of treatment.

IPR, also known as interproximal reduction, is the use of metal strips placed between the teeth to create glide paths for the teeth to move past each other.

Composite attachments are small discreet ‘blobs’ of tooth coloured resin bespokly placed on the surfaces of certain teeth to allow for optimal pressure/force application of the aligners to your teeth throughout the treatment phase. These can initially feel rough, but you will get used to them. They will be removed at the end of treatment.

3) Treatment Completion & Refinement

After you have completed your series of aligners, we have two options. 

1. Provide you with a tooth whitening system and whiten your teeth and discuss whether further restorative treatment such as bonding or veneers is to be carried out prior to provision of your final retainers.

OR

2. To rescan the current position of your teeth and carry out a new prescription for additional aligners to make further movements.