A confident smile and increased self-esteem aren't the only benefits of correcting your smile with Invisalign — your oral health can be positively enhanced as well. Learn more Invisalign from these common questions.
Will Invisalign® work for me?
If you have all your adult teeth with fully erupted molars, most patients can be treated with Invisalign®, even if they have crowns or bridges.
Do the aligners hurt?
It is normal to feel temporary discomfort when you wear or change the aligners for the first few days.
Can Invisalign close gaps
Yes. Spaces between teeth are generally easy to close with Invisalign.
Are crowns a factor in Invisalign treatment
Crowns (tooth caps) are usually not a factor in Invisalign treatment. However, sometimes small tooth-coloured composites called "attachments" are bonded onto teeth to help achieve certain movements and are more difficult to bond on crowns than teeth. In these cases, the location of crowns must be carefully evaluated. An Invisalign-trained dental practitioner can advise.
Are bridges a factor in Invisalign treatment
Because bridges firmly link two or more teeth together, they offer significant resistance to tooth movement. Your Invisalign-trained dental practitioner will be able to determine whether bridges will be a factor in your treatment. An Invisalign certified dental practitioner can advise.
Are there certain dental conditions that automatically exclude someone from being an eligible patient
Only your dental practitioner can determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.
Does the procedure work on overbites
An experienced Invisalign dental practitioner can use Invisalign to treat overbites in the vast majority of adults and adolescents.
I am currently wearing braces. Can I make the switch to Invisalign
A significant number of patients are being treated with a combination of braces and Invisalign. Consult your Invisalign dental practitioner to determine the best treatment for you.
Do Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
No. Invisalign aligners do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticisers. Invisalign aligners are made of USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any medical device, you should consult with your dental practitioner about your aligner treatment and any applicable risks of use.
Does Invisalign have ISO certification
ISO is an international organisation which promotes standardisation and grants Quality Certifications. Align is certified to the ISO 13485:2003 standard. This standard is granted to companies which comply with the regulatory requirements for medical equipment and devices.
How many patients are being treated with Invisalign
More than 8 million patients (including 1.4 million teen patients) worldwide have been treated with Invisalign. The number of Invisalign smiles grows daily.
How old is the technology
How old is Invisalign
Align Technology, Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign, was founded in 1997.
What are aligners made of and what do they look like
The virtually invisible aligners are made of strong medical grade thermoplastic material, uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan. The aligners are custom-made for you and fit snugly over your teeth. Some orthodontists have referred to them as 'contact lenses for teeth'. Have a look at the photo gallery for examples of what the aligners look like, inside and outside the mouth.
How does Invisalign work
Based on Dr Hiren Patel’s diagnosis and prescription, a series of aligners are custom made in a laboratory using highly advanced 3D computer imaging and machining technology in Texas, USA. You wear each aligner for two weeks, before replacing it with the next one, until your teeth are straight. You must wear your aligners for 22-23 hours a day for them to work, and most treatments usually takes 9-10 months, but every case is different!
How do I get started with Invisalign
Just make an appointment with an Invisalign-trained dentist, Dr Hiren Patel at the Smile House Dental Practice, Sutton, for an initial consultation by contacting us today.
Is this a new way to straighten teeth
Dentists or orthodontists have, in the past, successfully used removable appliances for years. But with the application of Align Technology’s 3D computer technology and mass-customisation, the Invisalign system can be used to treat almost anyone who wants straighter teeth. The unique Invisalign software allows patients to see their treatment from beginning to end even before the start of treatment.
What are the benefits of Invisalign
What is Invisalign®?
How much does Invisalign cost?
Your Initial Consultation is free!*
How often must I see my dental practitioner once I have started treatment?
Appointment intervals are generally the same as with traditional braces but can be much quicker with less time spent in the dentists’ or orthodontists’ chair during appointments as no adjustments need to be made to wires/brackets. Patients typically visit their dental practitioner every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure the treatment is progressing as planned, and to receive their next few sets of Invisalign aligners, but your dentist or orthodontist will decide based on your treatment.
How long does the Invisalign treatment take?
Is the Invisalign treatment painful?
Some people may experience temporary, minor discomfort for a few days, at the beginning of each new stage of treatment when they insert a new aligner. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. It is a sign that the aligners are working – moving your teeth gradually, helping you to achieve the final results. This discomfort typically goes away in a couple of days.
What's the best way to clean my aligners?
The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water and using the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or special cleaning tablets. It’s important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain proper hygiene.
Can I chew gum while wearing aligners?
Chewing gum while wearing aligners is not advised as gum can stick to aligners. It is recommended that aligners be removed for all meals and snacks.
Can I smoke while wearing the aligners?
Smoking is discouraged while wearing aligners because it is possible for the aligners to become stained / discoloured
Will the aligners affect speech?
The vast majority of patients report no effect on speech. However, as with traditional orthodontic appliances, there is an initial adjustment period associated with having something new in the mouth.
How often must the aligners be worn?
Aligners should be worn all the time during treatment, except when eating, brushing or flossing teeth.
Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
No. Unlike traditional wires and brackets, you can eat whatever you like while in treatment because you remove your aligners to eat and drink. Thus, there is no need to restrict consuming any of your favourite foods and snacks. Also, it is important that you brush and floss your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain proper hygiene.
What is the minimum age of a patient that a doctor can treat with Invisalign®?
With experience, your dental practitioner can use Invisalign to treat malocclusion for a majority of adults and adolescents who want a better smile. If you are a teenager, talk to your Invisalign dental practitioner to see if Invisalign Teen may be the right treatment option for you.
Invisalign The Clear Alternative to Braces
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Here you will find some questions and answers about Ivisalign® the new clinically proven, invisible way to straighten your teeth.
What happens after treatment is completed?
Then the Retention phase begins, this means wearing removable either clear and/or Plastic and wired appliances that are designed to hold your teeth in the final well aligned positions. You start by wearing clear Retainers just like the Invisalign® Aligners for about 6-10 weeks flowed by the wired retainers for gradually reducing frequency over 12 months. Ideally, you should be prepared to wear them at nights for 2-3 years.
Why should I select Invisalign®?
Aligners are Invisible-straighten and your teeth without any one noticing metal wires or brackets.
How does Invisalign® work?
Based on Dr Ravi Patel’s diagnosis and prescription, a series of aligners are custom made in a laboratory using highly advanced 3D computer imaging and machining technology in Texas, USA. You wear each aligner for two weeks, before replacing it with the next one, until your teeth are straight. You must wear your aligners for 22-23 hours a day for them to work, and most treatments usually takes 9-10 months, but every case is different!
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is the new clinically proven, invisible way to straighten your teeth and give yourself the dazzling smile you have always dreamed of.
Invisalign for teenagers
Invisalign offers a range of treatment options for teenagers.
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Blue wear-indicators fade from blue to clear to help your dental practitioner, you, and your teenager to gauge wear time. -
Special features designed to compensate for the eruption of canines, second premolars and second molars. -
Six free individual replacement aligners are included in case any get lost or misplaced.
Why Chose Invisalign
When it comes to considering your options for a smile makeover, it's easy to see Invisalign's clear advantages which provide another reason to smile. Compare Invisalign to other teeth straightening options below.
0% Interest Free Finance Plan Arranged While You Wait...
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Spread the cost of your dental care -
Absolutely no interest to pay -
Instantly available credit -
No deposit required -
Simple to understand -
Revolving credit limit available for repeat use -
We will arrange your dental finance for you
Treatment process
Health benefits
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Ong et al., 1998 Boyd and Baumrind, 1992, Zachrisson and Zachrisson, 1972. -
Presented at the AADR in San Antonio, Effect of Invisalign Aligners on Periodontal Tissues, Taylor, MG; McGorray,
How much does Invisalign cost?
Our Initial Consultation fee is £40.00 and will be taken off any treatment fees if you decide to go ahead.
Will it work for me?