INVISALIGN - TOOTH STRAIGHTENING
INVISALIGN
Straighter teeth with Invisalign clear aligners.
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A discrete and almost invisible way to straighten your teeth.
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Used to close gaps, correct overbites and straighten misaligned teeth.
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With minimal visits to the dentist, treatment takes 3-9 months on average.
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Results which can last a lifetime.
WHAT IS INVISALIGN?
Invisalign is a type of clear aligner. These are often the popular choice over traditional braces and are used to straighten teeth. Aligners are removable and made of transparent plastic so you can wear them throughout the day without them being noticed. The Invisalign aligners are custom made to gradually move and straighten teeth over an average period of 3-9 months. After treatment we make retainers (to be worn only at night) to maintain your new smile.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign treatment at Springfield costs between £2500 and £3500 depending on complexity. In our Invisalign plans we always include free professional tooth whitening and a free set of retainers.
Invisalign Steps
Consultation
At this appointment we carry out a full oral health check to ensure your teeth are healthy and suitable for treatment. We also take photos and scans or your teeth and talk about your treatment options.
Planning
We plan the movement of your teeth, check you are happy with your treatment plan and then manufacture your Invisalign Aligners.
Invisalign Fit
We fit your Invisalign. This is the start of your journey and you take away your first few aligners to continue treatment at home. We see you again every 6-8 weeks as treatment continues to give you your next aligners.
Invisalign FAQs
How long does Invisalign take? Invisalign takes on average 3-9 months. This depends on the complexity of your treatment and sometimes treatment can take more than 12 months. After your Invisalign is finished, sometimes refinements are required. This would be if you wanted to move your teeth slightly more in some areas and would mean we make some additional aligners to do this. Additional aligners therefore extend treatment time slightly. A set of additional aligners is included in the cost of treatment.
Aligners vs Braces? Clear aligners and braces can both be used to achieve great results. Often the best solution depends on individual preferences and needs. Clear aligners -Clear aligners are very popular because they are hardly noticeable and at a social distance people generally can’t tell you are wearing them. -They are easy to clean and maintain as they are removable. This means less restriction when eating. In comparison, traditions (wire) braces can be more difficult to clean and trap food around the wires and brackets. -Can be removed for eating, drinking and exercise, although they do need to be worn consistently for approximately 22 hours per day. -Can be used to treat simple, moderate and complex cases. Traditional Braces -These are sometimes available for free via the NHS for children. NHS braces are usually for children under 18 who qualify for treatment due to crowding or misalignment of teeth which is significant enough to meet NHS treatment criteria. -Braces have various different forms, including less visible versions using more frosted wires and white brackets. -Wire braces are sometimes a more appropriate option in very complex cases. Scenarios like this are also best treated by an orthodontist. We can advise when we feel this would be a more appropriate option for you.
Do I need to wear a retainer? Yes, we always recommend wearing retainers at night after straightening your teeth. This is because teeth can begin to drift back to their previous position and this is always a real shame when it happens after you have gone through all the time and effort of straightening your teeth.
Do I need a fixed retainer? People often ask if they need a fixed retainer - a wire on the back of their teeth to hold them in position. Often this is not needed and there are many scenarios where we don’t use a fixed retainer. Fixed retainers are also difficult to clean around and make it harder to maintain good oral hygiene so this is another reason to consider not having one. In some situations, especially when someone’s teeth have a stronger tendency to move back towards their original position, we do use fixed retainers. People also ask, if I have a fixed retainer, do I need to wear a retainer at night. We always recommend you do, because a fixed retainer alone may not be enough to maintain your tooth positions.
Is Invisalign good for the health of my teeth? Moving teeth with Invisalign can help the longevity and help of your teeth. This is often the case when someone’s teeth are particularly crowded and difficult to clean. Moving the teeth into a straighter position can make them easier to clean and maintain.
Is Invisalign dangerous or bad for me? Like any medical treatment, Invisalign has some risks which we always talk through in detail with you. Generally though, moving teeth with Invisalign is carried out all over the world and is seen as a low risk treatment with low risk of any side effects or problems to your teeth. There are some scenarios, such as if you have a history of significant gum disease, where we would suggest other treatments may be a better solution instead.