Jan 24, 2024

Is Invisalign Right for Me? Your Teeth Straightening Questions Answered

Crooked, overcrowded, or gappy teeth can affect confidence and increase the risk of oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain. This article explains how Invisalign works as a modern alternative to fixed braces, using clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth with minimal impact on daily life. The guide outlines what Invisalign is, how it moves teeth using gentle, consistent pressure, and how treatment progresses through a series of custom-made aligners changed every two weeks. It explains the types of orthodontic issues Invisalign can treat, including mild to moderate misalignment, crowding, gaps, and overlapping teeth. Readers are also given realistic expectations around treatment length, which can range from around six months to one or two years, depending on the complexity of the case. The article covers practical aspects such as how many aligners may be needed, how aligners are cleaned, and what patients can expect from their initial assessment, including a digital preview of their final smile. Overall, the article reassures patients that Invisalign is a comfortable, discreet, and versatile treatment suitable for most people, while emphasising the importance of a professional consultation to determine the best orthodontic option.

Dr Abdul Matin Azizi

Principal Dentist

Is Invisalign Right for Me? Your Teeth Straightening Questions Answered

If you have crooked, overlapping, or even gappy teeth, you’ll need an orthodontic treatment to straighten your smile. Misaligned teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious and put you at an increased risk of tooth decay and other dental problems.

Overcrowded teeth are difficult to clean. This means that plaque can build up in hard-to-reach areas, causing decay over time. Added to this, issues with the position of your teeth can cause jaw, neck, face, head, and even shoulder pain.

Invisalign is a great treatment for straightening your teeth. It uses clear aligners to gradually give you the healthy, straight smile you’ve always wanted.

Before signing up for treatment, there are a few things it’s helpful to know. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is one of the most popular clear aligner systems in the world. Loved for its comfort, convenience, and subtlety, Invisalign was launched over two decades ago, and since then, it’s been used to straighten the smiles of millions of patients.

This innovative alternative to fixed braces has some great benefits. The aligners are clear, making them virtually invisible. You can take your aligner out at any time, making mealtimes easier. And, they are so comfortable, they’re barely noticeable.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Much like other orthodontic appliances, Invisalign creates a gentle and constant force against your teeth. Over time, this constant pressure moves your teeth into a more desirable position.

With traditional fixed braces, you would have brackets and wires attached to your teeth. The wire is periodically tightened to increase the tension and progress the treatment.

If you straighten your teeth with Invisalign, there’s no need for adjustments. Instead, we’ll give a different aligner every two weeks. The new aligner is slightly different from the last.

What Can Invisalign Treat?

Invisalign can fix most mild and moderate orthodontic issues. It can straighten misaligned teeth, close gaps, reduce crowding, and improve the position of protruding or overlapping teeth.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The exact length of your treatment will vary depending on the severity of your case. Some people only need to wear aligners for around six months, while most cases take between one and two years.

How Many Aligners Will I Need?

You’ll change your aligners roughly every two weeks during your treatment. The number of aligners will depend on your specific case. When we assess your teeth before we start, the software we use will plot your entire treatment plan. This will determine how many aligners we expect you will need.

During this initial assessment, we’ll also be able to show you what your new smile will look like after your treatment.

How Do I Clean My Aligners?

Cleaning your aligners is simple. As your aligner will be held against your teeth all day, it will pick up food debris and bacteria, so it’s vital to keep it clean.

Simply run your aligner under a tap and use a soft toothbrush and liquid soap to clean it. You can clean it while you clean your teeth, but make sure you use a different toothbrush.