Author: Clear Braces Direct

As an adult who has an orthodontic misalignment, you may be curious about which options are available to you.

If you grew up in the 90s, you may have heard that the only way for you to get straighter teeth in your adult years is to use a fixed metal brace. However, thanks to advancements in orthodontic treatment, this is now not the only option available and you may be able to wear an invisible aligner to get the straighter smile that you want.

At Clear Braces Direct, we are always eager to meet with patients who want to undertake orthodontic care at the later stages of life, and we will always be happy to assess your suitability for Invisalign London. This clear aligner has changed the face of orthodontic care for adults and is one of the most popular treatments on the market today.

But with that in mind, you may wonder how Invisalign London stacks up in comparison to the traditional fixed brace. In this article, our team will explore some of the factors of both treatments to see how they measure up.

Time

It is not very well known, but Invisalign London can straighten your teeth in as little as 3 to 6 months, whereas if you undertake traditional fixed braces, this can take around three years. This difference in treatment time is not due to the design of the orthodontic devices but rather the severity of the misalignment being treated. So, you may be able to undertake traditional fixed braces for the majority of the orthodontic work and then use invisible aligners for the finishing touches, which can speed up the process.

Discretion

It goes without saying that few people would describe a fixed metal brace as discreet. Hence why there has been so much work put into adult orthodontic care revolving around invisible aligners. Invisible aligners are made from transparent plastic, which means that when they are put over your teeth, even those standing closest to you will not be able to notice them, making them exceedingly discreet.

Discomfort

There is no such thing as a completely comfortable orthodontic realignment, and this is because these tools are designed to move your teeth! Consider that traditional orthodontic braces use tightening and adjustments, which, in essence, pull the teeth into the desired positions. Invisible aligners utilised the system of gently pushing the teeth, making them the more comfortable option of the two treatments.

Daily care

Daily care of both invisible aligners and fixed braces can be complicated. For invisible aligners, all you need to do to clean them is take them out of your mouth and rinse them under cold water. With fixed braces, you need to brush them extensively after each meal, avoid certain foods and invest in interdental brushes, making them a bit more complicated to care for.

Complications

There are, ironically, more complications that can occur with invisible aligners than with fixed braces. This can be due to poor tracking or fitting of the aligners, lack of daily wear (as you need to wear them for 22 hours a day) and secondary complications, such as patients not attending their appointments. Thus, when comparing the complications in many cases, fixed braces have fewer.

You may have just been for a consultation with your dental team about undertaking invisible aligners and been told that you are not suitable.

While invisible aligners are designed to correct mild to moderate cases of dental misalignment, this is not all that a dental team will look for when assessing suitability. There are many criteria that have to be ticked off, and if you do not meet the set requirements, a different type of orthodontic tool may be better suited to you.

At Clear Braces Direct, we are happy to announce that the majority of patients who come to us to undertake Invisalign London are indeed suitable for this orthodontic treatment. If we find that there is an underlying issue that may temporarily cause the patient to be unsuitable, we will seek to rectify it to help them get the straighter smile they want with as much discretion as possible.

So, what are some of the inclusion criteria that we look for when assessing your suitability for Invisalign London?

Misalignment

The first thing we will assess when looking at your suitability for Invisalign London is the severity of your misalignment. While Invisalign has come a long way since it was first designed and put into practice, it is still better suited for correcting mild to moderate cases of dental misalignment at the front of the mouth. If there are issues with the alignment of your molars, or if you need to have a tooth rotated, you may be better suited for treatment with a fixed clear brace instead.

Age

Yes, there are indeed invisible aligners that are designed for teenagers. However, age will be a factor as we have found that adult patients are more dedicated to undertaking this treatment simply because they have to pay for it! There is work being put into designing invisible aligners for children, but since children are often less than enthusiastic about wearing something for 22 hours a day, dental teams are not overly enthused about this option.

Oral health

Just like before treatment with a fixed metal brace, we will also have to assess the condition of your teeth and gums. If you have signs of active gum disease or tooth decay, you will need to have them treated before undertaking any orthodontic treatment. This is because such issues can affect the realignment process, and the pressure applied to damaged teeth can cause the teeth to crack and require further restorative work.

General health

This is something that is often overlooked, but when it comes to orthodontic care, we need to ensure that you are in good general health too. If you suffer from issues such as osteoporosis or bleeding disorders, this can harm the realignment process. So please be open and honest with us about any problems you currently have with your general health.

Commitment

This was highlighted briefly earlier, but we need to ensure that you will be committed to the upkeep of your invisible aligners. This will involve the weekly photos sent to our team and your diligence in switching between aligners at the proper time. If we feel that you are less than fully committed to this process, we may suggest a fixed metal brace instead.

If you are somebody who is looking to straighten their teeth later in life, you will want to ensure that you have all the facts right.

And while the internet is usually a great place to check information on a range of treatments, it can also be a place where many people find misinformation about dental treatments and thus do not pursue them. Meaning that you would have to simply get used to having misaligned teeth in adult life.

Luckily, we are here to shed some light on the facts behind invisible aligners and the process of straightening your teeth as an adult.

Because at Clear Braces Direct, we know all there is to know about straightening your teeth using clear or invisible aligners. We specialise in using Invisalign London and can quickly and easily assess if you would be suitable to use this type of aligner to get the smile that you want.

So what are some of the most common mistruths that we hear from our patients about Invisalign London?

They take too long to work

For a patient who has a mild to moderate case of dental misalignment, Invisalign London can take anywhere between 3 and 6 months to straighten their smile. However, your treatment time may vary and be longer, based on the severity of the misalignment that is being corrected.

Compared to traditional braces which can take 3 years to straighten an adult’s teeth, invisible aligners are exceedingly quick and precise, making them an ideal choice if you have an important event coming up.

They are prohibitively expensive

This is a very common myth that has unfortunately prevented very suitable candidates from getting help for their dental misalignments using this aligner. At our practice, we can offer our suitable patients financing options to help them spread the cost of this realignment treatment into affordable monthly instalments. So, to cut a long story short, no, invisible aligners are not prohibitively expensive.

They don’t work

You may have read online that these kinds of aligners just don’t work. However, this would only be the case if you were using them to correct a severe misalignment, which would not be suited for this tool, or if you were using it incorrectly. If our team deems you suitable to use this aligner, it will work, if you follow our instructions on daily usage and wear.

They can’t correct severe misalignments

When this aligner was originally designed, it could not correct severe misalignments. But as the technology has progressed, even complex underbites or overbites can now be managed and reversed using invisible aligners. However, if you have a misalignment that would involve one of your teeth being rotated, or your molar teeth being moved then it is unlikely that you will be suitable for this aligner.

They only work on younger adults

We have treated patients of all ages with this aligner, from 18 to 80, and can attest that this aligner is not only suitable for use in younger adults. As long as you have good oral health and have a mild to moderate misalignment that can be corrected, we will be happy to help you get the straighter smile you want using this aligner.

When you want to straighten your teeth as an adult, it may seem like an intimidating process, especially if you have undertaken other dental treatments before the use of the orthodontics which may impact the outcome.

In 2022, more people than ever are approaching their dental teams to undertake treatment with invisible aligners rather than braces but have some questions about the efficacy of invisible aligners alongside other dental procedures, particularly cosmetic ones.

When you come to Clear Braces Direct, we will always ensure that we only provide you with Invisalign London if you are suited to it and if it is feasible given the severity of the misalignment being treated. And of course, your oral health will also need to be in good enough condition.

So, can you undertake invisible aligners like Invisalign London if you have already undertaken other cosmetic dental treatments? In this article, we will discuss 5 common cosmetic procedures that are offered to adults and whether or not you can use invisible aligners alongside them.

Veneers

Veneers are in essence a cover that is placed over the front of your tooth to alter its shade, shape or size. They are held in place with dental cement and can last for up to 15 years. The good news is that you can use Invisalign London alongside them, as the aligners will simply slot over the tooth just as they would before the fitting of the veneer. If you think that the pressure of the aligners is causing your veneers to move, then please contact our team.

Implants

In most cases, you can use invisible aligners alongside an implant. But it is worth noting that if you have multiple oral implants in your mouth, it is less likely that any orthodontic procedure will work, as implants cannot be moved in the same way as regular teeth. They are fused to the jawbone and are not held in place by ligaments like natural teeth. If you have a single oral implant in your mouth and want to undertake invisible aligners, please disclose this to our team, and we will aim to make sure that your aesthetic goals are met.

White fillings

Yes, you can use invisible aligners to move teeth that have had white fillings or even amalgam fillings placed, provided that the filling is intact and that there is no active decay in the tooth.

The same rule applies for deeper fillings and even root canals, though our team will need to take an x-ray of the area before using an invisible aligner with any of these cosmetic or restorative options.

Whitening

There is no indication that you cannot use dental whitening alongside invisible aligners. Once they have the straighter smiles that they want, many patients will undertake dental whitening. You can even have whitening performed during the process of wearing the aligner if you wish.

Braces

It may seem strange to consider using invisible aligners with braces. However, many people may have used fitted orthodontic braces as part of their orthodontic realignment and may now be switching to clear or invisible aligners. This is perfectly fine, provided that both our team and your previous dental team are on the same page about the treatment and the realignment process.

When you want to get your teeth straightened as an adult, it can be ever so tempting to simply approach a dental team to ask them about invisible aligners. After all, these are relatively new in the world of orthodontics, and as the name suggests, they can straighten your teeth without the visual hassle of being noticed by others around you.

When it comes to wearing invisible aligners, however, you will need to ask yourself some very honest questions about whether or not you can commit to the care that they require to work.

At Clear Braces Direct, our team has helped many patients to get the straighter smiles that they have always wanted using Invisalign London, but we know that it takes more than simply wearing the aligner to accomplish this.

In this article, our team will explore some of the things that need to be considered when choosing Invisalign London as your orthodontic tool of choice.

Wear

Firstly, will you be able to dedicate 22 hours per day minimum to wearing Invisalign London? If you are forgetful or have a busy schedule, then it may be better to ask about fitted aligners or even braces. If you don’t wear invisible aligners for the set time, your teeth may suffer from reversion, making the process an expensive waste of time.

Cleaning

To keep your teeth healthy while wearing invisible aligners, you will need to keep the aligners clean and free from debris, as they will be pressed directly against your teeth and can cause bacteria to accumulate and potentially cause tooth decay or gum disease. The cleaning is straightforward and will involve you rinsing them under a cold water tap as required or soaking them in an appropriate wash twice a day.

Protection

It’s easy to assume that because these aligners are removable, they can stand pressure and be dropped. However, this is not the case, and many patients find that they need to order replacement aligners because of damage. So, you will need to ensure that when you are out and about and when the aligners are not in your mouth, they are in the carry case provided when you received them.

Discomfort

Many patients are surprised to learn that wearing invisible aligners can be a bit uncomfortable. They do have to move your teeth, after all! But you will need to be able to mitigate this discomfort to get through the entire process, and our team recommends using paracetamol or ibuprofen to do so. However, if you are noticing excessive levels of discomfort, please contact us for an assessment.

Updates

While using your invisible aligners, you will also need to send our team weekly updates via the associated app. This will help us assess whether or not the treatment is going as planned and allow us to intervene if we spot an issue. If you cannot commit to doing this, then you will need to consider alternative orthodontic treatments, such as fitted clear braces or lingual braces.

In the last 10 years, there has been a switch to many people using online shopping and even applications/apps on smartphones. This has extended to people being able to transfer money between bank accounts, and order food and now, it is even being used to help patients who are undertaking orthodontic treatments.

In 2022, if you are looking to engage in orthodontic care, you may be able to use not only an invisible aligner, but an invisible aligner app to help you get the straighter smile that you want.

When you come to Clear Braces Direct, our team will be able to assess your suitability for using Invisalign London and should we deem you suitable, we will advise you to download the associated app. This will help us to not only stay in touch with you, but to monitor your realignment journey from a distance, meaning fewer trips into our surgery.

However, it is always good to know a little bit about such things and in this article, we will look into the app that is associated with using Invisalign London.

What is the app?

The app is a way for you to stay virtually connected with our team when you are using Invisalign London. It is downloadable for iPhones and Androids and is free of charge. It will allow you to share photos with our team, receive feedback and of course, ensure that you are on track with the timeline set down when you began treatment. This will help you to keep your realignment process on track without needing to come into the office every few weeks, unless of course there is an issue. You simply need to set up an account when you download the app and you are ready to go!

Aligner changes

As you may remember, you will need to change your aligner on average every 2 weeks or when it starts to feel loose. With the aligner change, you will need to send our team 1 video and 3 photos via the app. The video may require you to wear cheek retractors and you will need to have 1 smiling photo with your aligners and cheek retractors being worn. You will then need to send another photo with the aligner with the cheek retractors on and another with the aligners and cheek retractors off. This will allow us to ascertain whether or not the treatment is working, but don’t worry. The app will send reminders about when it’s time to send progress videos and photos.

Keeping track

If we do not spot any issues in the 3 photos or the video, then you will be sent back an on-track message via the app, which will indicate that the smile is coming along nicely and that the realignment process is working. So, simply continue to wear the aligners as directed by our team.

Instructions from our team

Sometimes, there can be problems and if you are sent instructions, this will mean that we are providing additional guidance, which may be wearing the current aligner for slightly longer or using accessories like chewies.

FAQs

If you have any questions about using the invisible aligners, the app has a dedicated FAQ section which will hopefully be able to answer them. If it doesn’t, then feel free to contact us as soon as possible.

So, you have met with our team at Clear Braces Direct and have been given the go-ahead to use invisible aligners to straighten your teeth.

However, you may be somewhat mystified about the daily use of the aligners, as the internet is full of contradictory instructions which can be confusing at the best of times. But when it comes to realigning your teeth, you don’t want to take any chances and get it wrong.

At Clear Braces Direct, we have helped people to get the straighter smiles that they want using Invisalign London for over 10 years and know all there is to know about this aligner. We can also ensure that the aligner itself works correctly and will always be on hand to answer any questions that you have.

So, back to the daily wear and the questions that we receive about this from our current and past patients who have used Invisalign London.

How do I clean them?

Invisalign London is a removable aligner, meaning that you can take it out to clean it and clean your teeth. Luckily the cleaning process for the aligners themselves is straightforward and you can simply rinse them under a cold water tap. If you want to be a bit more thorough, you can invest in some cleaning crystals, which will allow you to soak the aligner for 30 minutes twice a day and will give them a minty fresh aftertaste too.

Do not under any circumstances run them under a hot water tap, as this can cause them to warp.

Will I need to wear them all the time?

As a general rule, we advise against wearing aligners for 24 hours a day, as this will not give you the time to eat food, but the instructions will vary depending on the severity of the misalignment being treated. For most of our patients, we recommend that they wear the aligners for 22 hours per day to get the best results.

Can I kiss while wearing them?

Yes, you can and luckily the majority of our teenage patients and adult patients who are dating have stated that the people they are meeting have not noticed that they’re wearing the aligners. When it comes to being a bit more intimate, your partner may be able to feel the aligners pressed against your teeth. But it will not be as noticeable or as uncomfortable as kissing whilst wearing metal braces.

I’ve read I can only drink water while wearing them; is that true?

When you are wearing the invisible aligners, you will only be able to drink water; for any other drinks such as fruit juices, teas or coffees, you will need to take them out. This is to not only prevent staining on the aligner, but also to prevent potential warping which may occur if you are consuming hot beverages. After you have eaten or drunk anything, before you put the aligners back in, you will need to clean your teeth to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

How do I manage sores on my tongue?

It is somewhat common for people who begin using invisible aligners to develop sores on their tongues because the aligner edges can be quite sharp. For this, we recommend that you use dental wax, which will help create a barrier between the sharp edge of the plastic and the soft tissues in your mouth.