How it Works

The Invisalign system uses a highly advanced 3D digital process which analyses your smile and then digitally moves your teeth into the ideal functional and cosmetic position. This allows both our dentists and you to visualise the end results to match your specific need and desire. Once your treatment plan is approved, a series of sequential clear aligners is manufactured, each one being precision-made to to fit your teeth.

Each aligner places a very controlled pressure across each tooth to move them with a high level of precision. We’ll give you a new set of aligners every few weeks; each new aligner is designed to move your teeth an extra couple of mm each time.

Because of the convenience and accuracy, Invisalign is very popular because it can do all this and remain virtually undetectable to the naked eye. It’s suitable for a lot of adults because they can straighten their teeth with the discretion needed to get on with their professional work or life.

How Long Does It Take to Straighten Your Teeth with Invisalign?

Most patients will have between 18 and 36 sets of aligners. The shorter treatment plans take just a few months, with the more complicated plans needing around 18 months. Again, during your consultation, we’ll be able to give you a more accurate idea of how long your treatment should take.

For best results, you need to wear your aligners full-time, only taking them out for eating and brushing / flossing. You will also wear your aligners while sleeping, for a total of about 22 hours a day, every day. Maintaining a strong oral hygiene regimen is part of the process, so be sure to brush after each meal and floss daily.

We’ll see you for a check up every 4-6 weeks and provide you with the next sets of aligners, which will be swapped out once a fortnight.

Advantages

Invisalign offers several benefits compared to traditional bracket and wire braces:

• Aesthetics: because the aligners are nearly invisible, your friends and coworkers are less likely to notice that you are having orthodontic treatment.
• No diet restrictions: with traditional braces, you avoid foods such as chewing gum, hard foods and crunchy foods that could potentially damage your brackets and wires. With Invisalign, since aligners are removed before eating, you can eat all of the foods you enjoy.
• Hygiene: traditional braces require more complex hygiene care, whereas Invisalign is removable and teeth can be brushed and flossed as per usual.
• Comfort: your tongue won’t get caught on metal brackets and the soft tissue inside your cheek won’t get irritated since the aligners are made of a smooth moulded plastic material.

Before and After Results

Everyone’s teeth are different, and results will obviously vary. With the Invisalign ClinCheck software, we’re able to show you an accurate representation of how your teeth will look once your treatment has been completed. Here is an example of one patient’s before and after results.