Invisalign is the near invisible way for patients to straighten their teeth without the need for braces.  It works by using a series of specially made aligners to straighten your teeth gradually and comfortably without the use of metals or wires. There have been over 4.5 million patients worldwide that have had Invisalign treatment, and The Smile Team Invisalign accredited dentist can help you to achieve that straight smile you’ve been looking for.

How it works

Invisalign clear aligner technology uses clear teeth aligners or plates which look similar to tooth- whitening trays. The only difference is that these trays are precise and much tighter fitting to enable them to move your teeth. A series of aligners are created for a patient at the start of treatment, with each aligner designed to last a couple of weeks. Each aligner has been created via a computerised planning and production process with the teeth slightly shifted to enable gradual tooth movement over the active treatment period. It is a great alternative to traditional orthodontic methods and can improve confidence as it is clear and removable, much like contact lenses for people who need glasses.

The difference between traditional braces and Invisalign

Traditionally braces are fixed to the individual teeth with special glues and joined by a wire to move teeth into better positions to improve appearance and function. Invisalign offers the same service but in a less visible way. In most standard cases Invisalign can take no longer than conventional braces and occasionally the treatment time may be even shorter. When dealing with children or more complex/challenging orthodontic cases sometimes conventional braces are still best. The Smile Team dentists can help to guide you in whether Invisalign treatment is ideal for you.

Invisalign is often more appealing as it can be removed and isn’t as clearly visible to the naked eye. It can also be more comfortable but its success relies heavily on your ability to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.

The Smile Team Invisalign treatment steps

Step 1. An assessment appointment will start off the Invisalign steps. We will assess the alignment of your teeth relating to your concerns. We will discuss all options available and help to keep you informed with the benefits and any risk of treatment. Based upon the assessment, we can provide you with a guide to the expected treatment time. If suitable for Invisalign treatment, a set of records in the form of x-rays, photos and impressions is taken by The Smile Team’s Invisalign accredited dentist. From your moulds a Computer Tomography scan is made of your casts and sent to the Invisalign laboratory. A Computer Aided Design program is used to assess, predict, and simulate treatment.

Step 2. The Smile Team dental rooms will review your treatment plan on our CAD based, virtual treatment software. We will discuss with you any updates to the anticipated treatment time, and make any necessary changes to the positions of the teeth. At this stage, you’ll be able to see a simulation of your teeth gradually moving to the final straightened position.

Step 3. Once you’re are happy with the positioning of the teeth at the end of treatment, we will provide approval to Invisalign to commence creation of your aligners. Invisalign then uses advanced stereo lithography to create aligners for each stage of your dental treatment. Invisalign Aligners are delivered to The Smile Team dental rooms to begin straightening your smile.

Step 4. Active treatment starts with the provision of the first set of Invisalign aligners. A new set of Invisalign aligners are typically worn every second week.

Step 5. When the active treatment is completed, it’s very important to maintain the teeth in their final positions. Included in all Invisalign treatment with The Smile Team is your first set of retainers to hold the teeth in position. Regular maintenance examination and cleans will of course be required to help to keep your wonderful new smile.