A guide to Invisalign from our dentist at Hawthorn Drive

When you are an adult who has misaligned teeth, you could be forgiven for assuming that the only way for you to get the straighter teeth that you want would be to use a fitted metal brace.

If you have a case of severe dental misalignment, or one that is complicated, this may be true. However, if you are deemed to be suffering from a mild to moderate case of misalignment, which does not involve your molar teeth, then you may be suitable for an invisible aligner such as Invisalign.

Our team at Hawthorn Drive Dental Practice have been using Invisalign to help our patients get the straighter smiles that they deserve. Our dentist in Ipswich knows all there is to know about this nifty clear aligner and can advise you on its suitability for you and of course, provide you with tips for daily upkeep too.

At this stage, you may be wondering how a clear aligner will realign your teeth, even if the misalignment is minor. Here, our dentist in Ipswich provides you with the following short guide, so you can learn a bit more about this orthodontic option.

What is Invisalign?

As highlighted earlier, Invisalign is a new player in the field of adult orthodontics and is an aligner which is made from clear plastic. To be deemed suitable for this aligner, our dentist in Ipswich will need to assess the position of your teeth and of course, check for any signs of gum disease and tooth decay. If we consider you suitable for this aligner, we will then take a scan of the position of your teeth and the process can begin.

How does it work?

The aforementioned scan will be sent to a dental laboratory where, using digital technology, they will move your teeth virtually into the final desired position. These movements are tracked and then printed, using a 3D printer, into aligners, so when they are applied to your teeth, they will move your teeth in a set order. Invisalign works by being tightly fitted to your teeth and should fit in a similar way to a sports guard, but of course, it will be clear! So your teeth will be gently coaxed into their new positions, rather than being pulled, as is the way with fitted metal braces.

Treatment time

The average treatment time for Invisalign is around 3 to 6 months, but this will depend on the severity of the misalignment being treated and your adherence to the wearing of the aligner, which should be around 22 hours per day. If you lose an aligner or need to have one replaced, the treatment time will be longer.

Daily care

Invisalign is a removable orthodontic tool, which means you should brush your teeth without wearing it and you can also keep the aligner clean without having to use interdental brushes. Simply rinse it under a cold water tap and remove any debris and bacteria with a brush. You should aim to keep the aligner in the carry cases provided, and do not ever allow the aligner to come into contact with warm or hot water, as this can cause it to warp.

Retainers

Once you have finished your treatment with the aligner and your teeth are straight, you will need to wear a retainer. This is important as it prevents your teeth from moving back to their previous positions.