Category: Invisalign

There have always been contenders or rivals, particularly when relating to treatment options for specific aesthetic issues.

Dermal fillers have often been compared to Botox and hair dye to hair chalk. In the world of orthodontic care, this continues with the comparison of a fitted orthodontic tool to a removable one. This is particularly important in adult dental care where you have to take a bit more time to decide which one is worth investing in and which one will have the best benefits for you.

At Clear Braces Direct, we have helped thousands of patients to get the straighter smiles that they want and deserve using Invisalign London. So we know all of the advantages that this aligner can offer to patients and of course, we can assess if it is right for you.

But how does this new orthodontic tool compare to the standard metal brace when taking on adult orthodontic treatments? In this article, we will discuss and compare braces and Invisalign London so you can decide which may be the right treatment for you.

Oral health

Good oral health is a required basis for almost every dental treatment imaginable.

And when you are using an orthodontic tool for teeth straightening, it is important to consider the impact that it may have on your teeth and gums. Invisalign London is removable, so you can easily brush and floss your teeth without inconvenience. Fitted braces will require you to invest in additional equipment such as interdental brushes and hygienist appointments to keep your teeth plaque-free.

Discretion

As the name suggests, Invisalign aligners are invisible; they are made from clear plastic which is custom-fitted to slot over your teeth and does not protrude. So even those who see you every day may have difficulty spotting that you are undertaking this treatment.

Fitted braces may or may not be discreet; lingual options are attached to the backs of the teeth and are harder to spot, but are also only suitable for certain cases. A standard fitted brace is likely to be visible which may not matter if you are not self-conscious about it. But it is not as likely to offer the discretion that many adults want from an orthodontic tool.

Comfort

Fitted braces have to be tightened and adjusted for them to move your teeth. This will require your orthodontist to alter them and essentially enable the archwire and the brackets to pull them into the desired location. This can create pressure in the jaw which can lead to discomfort. That is not to say that invisible aligners are without discomfort, but they operate on a different mode of action. They push the teeth rather than pull them and do not retain the same level of tension as a fitted brace, so pressure and discomfort are less likely.

Expense

Invisible aligners are surprisingly affordable; this is due to the length of time you will be wearing them for around 3 to 6 months. There are financing options that our team can offer you. Fitted braces require more intervention to operate and more dental appointments, so they are often more pricey.

Time

As mentioned before, invisible aligners can straighten your teeth in as little as 3 to 6 months. Fitted braces can take up to 3 years depending on the complexity of the clinical case.

When it comes to undertaking any kind of orthodontic treatment, you will want to ensure that you have the facts straight before you begin.

But as is the way with so many online blogs and articles, these can tend to highlight the less successful aspects of treatments, giving a rather biased view that they do not work or that something horrific will happen if you adopt them.

Unfortunately, this can lead to people who would have been suitable to receive treatments like invisible braces not approaching their dental team about them.

At Clear Braces Direct, our team is equipped and knowledgeable about all things surrounding clear braces and invisible aligners, particularly Invisalign London. So when you come to us, you can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality of care for your realignment journey.

But what are some of the most common mistruths that exist online relating to Invisalign London? Read on to find out and to learn the facts behind the fiction.

It takes longer than standard braces

Invisalign London typically takes around 3 to 6 months to straighten teeth, provided that the misalignment is considered mild to moderate and that the patient is dedicated to wearing the aligners for 22 hours per day.

When compared to standard fitted braces, which can take up to 36 months to straighten adult teeth, this is an obvious time saver. Invisible aligners certainly do not take longer than standard braces!

It is too expensive

Orthodontic care in adult years is going to make people uncomfortable about possible costs. And many people assume that invisible aligners will be more expensive than their fitted metal counterparts. However, the cost associated with any orthodontic tool is linked to the number of hours required to have it tightened, the number of dental visits, and the length of wear. Based on this, you may find that invisible aligners are more affordable than you thought. At Clear Braces Direct we are also able to offer financing to help you spread the cost if needed.

You will require to have teeth removed

There is no hard and fast rule relating to having teeth removed when you are about to undertake a brace or aligner. If your mouth is overcrowded, our team may suggest the removal of teeth to make room. But generally, you should not need to have teeth removed and we will happily leave them all in your mouth depending on your clinical needs.

It can treat any misalignment issue

We truly wish that invisible aligners could treat any misalignment issue. As mentioned earlier, they are best suited to mild or moderate cases for which they have the best success rate. If you have a misalignment that is more complex and involves your molar teeth, or teeth requiring rotation, then you may need to wear a fitted brace.

It is prone to error

When used correctly, invisible aligners are not prone to error. There can be complications if you do not wear them for the required time each day, but we will always aim to ensure that your treatment with this aligner remains error-free.

Do you want to straighten your teeth using invisible aligners but need to know more before committing to them?

When you come to Clear Braces Direct, our team can guide you through every step of wearing Invisalign London, to ensure that you get the most out of this world-famous aligner.

In the following guide, our team at the practice answers common questions from our patients about the daily wearing of Invisalign London.

How often will I need to wear it each day?

To get the full range of benefits from Invisalign London, you will need to wear the aligner for 22 hours per day, or as recommended by our dental team. For the first few weeks of wear, this means that you have to time yourself. Should you not stick to this rule of wear, then your teeth may stop moving as planned or the process may begin to reverse. So be sure to keep the aligners in.

Can I drink coffee while wearing it?

It is generally advised whilst wearing an aligner that you only consume water. If you are going to drink coffee, tea, or another beverage like fruit juice, you need to take the aligner out of your mouth. This is because fruit juices like orange juice can cause the aligner to stain and hotter drinks can also cause it to become misshapen.

How hard is it to clean?

Invisible aligners are very easy to clean; simply rinse them under a cold water tap twice a day, or as required, to remove any debris. If needed, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any stuck-on food. Though it can be tempting, you must refrain from rinsing your aligner under hot water, as this can cause it to warp out of shape. It is also worth noting that before you place the aligner back into your mouth after eating food, you will need to brush your teeth to ensure that any food debris does not become trapped against your teeth by the aligners.

It’s rubbing against my gums; is there a way to ease this?

This is a surprisingly common issue that many of our patients face when they begin wearing invisible aligners. Even though the aligners are typically more comfortable than braces, the plastic that they are made from is often harder than expected, as it has been printed via a 3D printer. So there are few soft edges, which can irritate the soft tissues of the mouth. There is a way to mitigate this using dental wax. Place this onto the harder areas of the aligner and this will cushion your inner mouth and gums against the pressure until the aligner softens.

I’ve lost an aligner; what should I do?

If you have lost an aligner the first thing to do is put the previous aligner that you were wearing in the series into your mouth. Do not move on to the next one as this can create an issue in the realignment process. Secondly, you need to contact our team at Clear Braces Direct so we can order you a replacement aligner. If you believe that you can move on to the next aligner in the series, please discuss this with our team. Do not attempt this step without the green light from us.

When you are an adult who has misaligned teeth you may only consider the negative effects of wearing either a fitted brace or aligner to correct the issue.

However, if you have what is considered to be a mild to moderate misalignment, then you may be suitable for one of the more discreet options that dental teams can offer. This is known as an invisible aligner.

As our name suggests, at Clear Braces Direct, we specialise in the use of clear or invisible aligners to help our patients get the smiles that they deserve. Particularly, we specialise in the use of Invisalign London, which is a fast and efficient way to correct moderate misalignments

But are there any advantages to wearing Invisalign London as an adult? And how does this aligner compare to traditional braces? Read on to find out.

Removable

A key advantage of wearing Invisalign London in your adult years is that the aligner is removable, which means you can take it out if you are giving talks, lectures or simply don’t want to have it in your mouth. But be aware that for this aligner to work at its full efficiency, you will need to wear it for a minimum of 22 hours per day or as directed by our team.

Discreet

This type of aligner is branded as invisible, primarily because it is the closest thing you will get to an invisible orthodontic tool! It is made from clear plastic and is moulded to slot over your teeth. So it will not be bulky or protruding. This means that whilst you are wearing it, few people will be able to spot it unless you point it out. Which has an obvious benefit in the working environment or even if you are dating.

Lifestyle friendly

In the past, undertaking orthodontics in adult life would usually mean extensive trips to the dentist to have the braces tightened or adjusted. As this aligner does not require adjustments, you will not need to see our team at the practice as often. Using the associated app, which is downloadable for smartphones, you can send us weekly updates via a selfie, so we can determine if the aligner is progressing as planned, or if you need to see our team. This saves on a lot of time and money that could have been spent making trips to our surgery.

Affordable

It is newer and it is trendy, so surely it is more expensive! This is a common thought that many of our patients have when it comes to using invisible aligners. However, as you will not need to see our team as much and as there is no need to adjust or tighten the aligners, the cost of undertaking this treatment may be more affordable than you think. We also offer financing options to help you spread the cost if needed. So talk to our team about this option today.

Time saving

It may sound surprising but an invisible aligner can straighten your smile in as short a time as 3 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the issue being corrected and your adherence to wearing the aligner. So you can begin wearing this tool before a wedding or another important event and have your teeth straightened in time. Perfect!

Do you ever wake up in the morning and wish your smile looked different when you bare your teeth in the bathroom mirror? Do you grimace when asked to have a selfie taken with your BFF, or do you spend your time wistfully looking through glossy magazines with models and million dollar smiles? If so, you could improve your self-esteem by realigning your smile with Clear Braces Direct and it won’t cost you the earth! We offer free initial consultations to assess your suitability for Invisalign in Newcastle, that treats mild to moderate alignment issues. If you decide to go ahead with Invisalign, we then only ask you to come in for check-ups when it is really necessary, saving you both time and money. The rest of the time, we will be monitoring you remotely with our bespoke monitoring system and you can keep a check on your progress using the app we will provide you with.

How does Invisalign in Newcastle work?

While we are not the only dental practice offering Invisalign as a treatment, we are established Diamond Apex providers having successfully treated over 6800 patients with Invisalign. The treatment comprises plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth to move them into the targeted position by applying pressure to them. You will need to change your aligners on a prescribed basis, but don’t worry! You won’t need to come and pick up new aligners each week; we will post the aligners for free to your own home, so you can sit back and relax knowing that your treatment will come to you!

Are the aligners comfortable to wear?

One of the advantages of choosing Invisalign in Newcastle is the fact that the aligners are arguably more comfortable to wear. We have a digital scan that uses iTero technology and allows us to get the precise measurements for your mouth. From this, we will have your aligners manufactured and we will always check to ensure this suits your mouth spot-on! Your personalised, bespoke treatment is what allows us to yield results in as little as 4 to 6 months, depending on your alignment issues, and you should feel comfortable throughout the treatment.

What alignment issues can you treat?

Invisalign is used to treat issues such as crowded or gapped teeth, under or overbites, as well as crossbites. The best way to find out whether or not this would be the right treatment for you is to come and see us for a no-obligation, free consultation. We will examine your mouth thoroughly to ascertain whether or not Invisalign is the right treatment for you.

Anything else I need to know?

When the aligners are worn, they are transparent, so only your teeth should be seen by other people, offering you a discreet and convenient treatment for getting your super smile. You may also remove your aligners for up to 2 hours a day, which means that you will be able to continue eating and drinking as normal, as well as brushing and flossing with nothing in your mouth to prevent you from doing so comprehensively. To find out more about what we can offer, why not call us today and get started on the road to smiling freely?

When most people think about orthodontic tools such as braces, they picture pieces of food being trapped under the archwire or around the brackets, creating a not very aesthetically pleasing look.

And if you are an adult who is looking to undertake dental realignment, you may be curious as to how other orthodontic tools, such as aligners, will impact your oral hygiene. Will you need to avoid certain foods? Or will you need as many hygienist appointments as you would wearing a fitted brace?

At Clear Braces Direct, our team specialises in the use of Invisalign London, a removable aligner that is not only easier to fit into your daily routine, but an aligner that also does not have such a dramatic impact on your oral health whilst wearing it.

So how does the wearing of Invisalign London differ from that of a fitted brace relating to dental hygiene? Read on to find out.

Eating

A common concern that many adults have when undergoing orthodontic treatment is how it will impact their diets. Many people are aware that when wearing a fitted brace, you have to avoid softer foods that can get trapped under the archwire and of course sticky foods like toffee. With Invisalign London, as the aligner is removable, you will not need to alter your diet at all and can enjoy the same range of foods as you did before starting treatment.

Brushing and flossing

When wearing invisible aligners, you can remove them to brush and floss your teeth and you should aim to do so twice a day. However, when you are about to eat food or consume hot beverages, you will need to take the aligners out of your mouth to prevent them from becoming damaged. It is worth investing in a travel-size toothbrush, as before you put the aligner back in your mouth, you will need to clean your teeth to remove food debris. This will prevent cavities and periodontal disease.

Hygienist

Gum disease is always a concern when it comes to dental care. When you are wearing an aligner or a brace, you will want to ensure that your gums are healthy and that there is no risk posed to your teeth. While you will not need to visit a hygienist as part of standard invisible aligner treatment, it may be worth attending biannual hygienist check-ups while undertaking this treatment, to ensure that your gums and teeth are healthy and free of periodontal disease.

Aligners

As the aligners are made from clear plastic, you will need to keep them clean to prevent issues from occurring with your oral hygiene. This is very straightforward; simply rinse the aligners under a tap twice a day, or as required, to remove debris and food particles that could cause cavities or gum disease. Do not use hot water to clean your aligners or mouthwash, as this can lead to the aligners becoming misshapen or stained.

Check-ups

Of course, when undertaking realignment treatment with invisible aligners you will still need to attend your biannual check-ups with our team. This will ensure that your teeth and gums remain in good condition.

When you read or hear the words ‘it’s one for the money, two for the show’, it may conjure up the dulcet tones of Elvis’ baritone voice. However, did you also know that this is actually an old rhyme that used to be said to children before the start of a race? At Clear Braces Direct, we are not trying to race through the dental treatment we provide, but we understand that your time is valuable to you, so having a treatment that is not too time-consuming may be appealing when it comes to having your mild to moderate alignment issues treated. With Invisalign in Newcastle, we could realign your teeth in as little as 4 to 6 months and as accredited Diamond Apex Invisalign providers, we can do so efficiently to get you the fabulous smile you deserve. What’s more, we can do a lot of the monitoring of your treatment remotely, so you have more time doing the things you love doing, rather than trying to find the time to come and see us for check-ups. With our remote monitoring app, we will only call you in for a check-up if we really need to see you, saving you both time and money.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system that consists of plastic aligners that are worn over the teeth – a bit like a streamlined gumshield! When worn, only your teeth should be visible, so you won’t have to worry about other people seeing you wearing an appliance in your mouth while you get your new smile. The aligners push the teeth into the correct position over a period of time. You will need to wear a different aligner at regular intervals and these will be sent to you for free, straight to your home. When you first come in to see us, we will be able to take a digital scan of your mouth using iTero technology. This enables us to get the precise measurements of your mouth to have your aligners made bespoke for you. From this scan, we will also generate a 3D animation of what your teeth will look like once your treatment has been completed, so you can visualise how great your smile will become.

Each week, you will then use an app to monitor your progress and we will also access this, enabling us to check up on you and if all is moving as we would like it to, then you can continue with your life! Invisalign offers comfort, convenience and discreet treatment for patients.

Any other reasons I should choose Invisalign?

Aside from the comfort, convenience and discretion that Invisalign in Newcastle offers, it also allows for a certain amount of flexibility for patients too. You may remove your aligners for up to 2 hours a day, which means that you can take them out when you are eating and drinking, and you won’t have to clean masticated food off them after your meal. What’s more, you also won’t need to worry about avoiding hard or chewy foods, for example, because you won’t be wearing your aligners when you are eating, so you can’t break them!

Come and see us!

For your first appointment, we will need to see you for a free consultation to assess if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. Why not come and see us for this no obligation appointment to see if you could have a great smile in as little as 4 to 6 months? It’s not a race, but if you want a great smile soon then now’s the time.

When you begin treatment with invisible aligners, it can be a bit of an adjustment. Especially if you have never undertaken orthodontic treatment before. So, for you to stick to the treatment you need to know what you can expect when you begin wearing the aligners in your day-to-day life.

Being better prepared will allow you to make the required adjustments, and of course, will ensure that the treatment works and gives you the smile that you want and deserve.

At Clear Braces Direct, our team knows all there is to know about using invisible aligners, particularly Invisalign London. We can advise you on what you can expect with your unique clinical case when you begin wearing this aligner, so there will be no surprises.

But generally speaking, there are some other things you can expect too. And in the following short guide, our team breaks down what using Invisalign London typically entails.

Timing

To benefit from using Invisalign London, you need to wear the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day. This means in the first few days or even weeks of wear, you will not be too far from your watch or a timer on your phone. While it can be tempting to try and skip this step and wear the aligners as and when you please, be aware that doing so can result in the treatment stalling and may cause your teeth to move back to their former positions. This will make the entire process a waste of time.

Movement

One of the benefits of wearing invisible aligners is that you can see your teeth moving with each aligner. However, it is also important to be aware of how the aligners themselves will fit and move. When you first begin wearing your aligner, it will be tight fitting to your teeth and may require a bit of fiddling to adjust. As the teeth move, it will become looser and when the aligner begins to move in your mouth, it is time to switch to the next one in the sequence. This usually occurs every two weeks.

Loose aligners

As mentioned before, when it comes to the end of wearing one aligner, it may feel loose in your mouth. And while uncommon, aligners may not fit correctly to begin with, so when you put them in, they may feel loose. This needs to be addressed by our team, as a loosely fitting aligner cannot move your teeth.

Lots of cleaning!

To ensure that your aligner remains invisible and that your oral health remains in good condition for the duration of treatment, you will need to engage in lots of cleaning. As the aligners are removable, they can be cleaned by simply rinsing them under a cold water tap twice a day or as needed. When you take the aligners out to eat food, before putting them back in, you will need to brush your teeth to remove food and other pieces of debris. This will ensure that you are at a lower risk of developing cavities or gum disease.

Weekly reports

To ensure that the treatment is going as planned, our team will need to see weekly photographs of your teeth. This can be done using the associated app with the aligner and all you need to do is take a selfie and send it across. From this, we will be able to determine what steps are necessary.

Whether you are new to the world of adult orthodontics, or if you have been looking for a viable treatment for your dental misalignment for some time, you will likely have come across invisible aligners.

But as invisible aligners are relatively new to the world of adult orthodontic care, many patients have a few questions about this treatment option and of course whether or not it can help them with their misalignment woes.

At Clear Braces Direct, we have been offering our patients Invisalign London for over 5 years and can help to answer any questions that you may have about this treatment option. We always take the time to explain each treatment to our patients and will help you to decide and choose the most suitable option to correct your misalignment issues.

So what are some of the most common questions we receive about Invisalign London? Read on to find out!

How does the aligner work?

Before we talk about how Invisalign London works, let us first think about the traditional fitted brace.

It is attached to the teeth using dental cement and is adjusted periodically every 4-6 weeks using the archwire to move the teeth via the brackets. Invisible aligners are not fitted and require an intraoral scan before you begin treatment. This is used to calibrate the necessary movements required for the aligner to work, after which a set of aligners are printed using a 3D printer, each one slightly different from the last and designed to be worn in a precise order to move your teeth. In short, invisible aligners move the teeth in smaller increments and each aligner is worn for around 2 weeks.

Who is suitable for it?

More people than you think may be suited for invisible aligners. Provided you have a mild to moderate case of dental misalignment and can commit to wearing the appliance for the required 22 hours per day, it is highly likely that you will be suited for it.

How long does it take?

This brand of invisible aligners has an average treatment time of between 3 to 6 months. But as mentioned before, that is assuming that you have a mild to moderate case of dental misalignment and that you commit to wearing the aligners for as long as our team specifies. If you do not wear the aligner for this time, your teeth may revert to their previous positions before you started the treatment, the movement may halt or the misalignment may worsen.

Is it uncomfortable?

Any orthodontic treatment has the underlying job to move your teeth and even with invisible aligners, you can expect there to be some mild discomfort, especially when you are placing a new aligner in your mouth.

Any discomfort that you experience should be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. If you find that this option does not work, then you need to see our team.

Is it easy to care for?

One of the main things that many patients love about invisible aligners is that they are easy to fit into a daily routine and yes, they are easy to care for. To wash them, you simply rinse them under a cold tap to remove debris or food and pop them back into your mouth.

The pandemic of 2020, which is still partially ongoing, has led many people to seek out treatments that they would usually obtain on the high street from the comfort of their own homes.

And, with the rise in the use of apps, smartphones and at home aligners, nowhere is this more evident than in the field of orthodontic care. Particularly with the use of at-home aligners.

At Clear Braces Direct, we have been offering our patients at home aligners since our doors first opened, and have now extended this service to include the world-famous Invisalign London. But that does not mean that all at home aligners are created equal!

So, what are some of the differences between the at-home aligners that we can offer, such as Invisalign London and off-brand counterparts? Read on to find out!

Age

When you look into Invisalign London, you may notice that there is a brand for teenagers. Therefore, this treatment has a wider age demographic than you may think. But other providers of at-home aligners often have a minimum age of 18 years old, which means many young people who could benefit from this treatment are excluded.

Safety

In much the same way that someone who wears glasses should not buy their glasses offline, if you have misaligned teeth, you should not seek orthodontic treatment without the care of a trained professional.

Using an aligner at home can be hazardous; you may be unsuitable for the treatment you have chosen, which can lead to worsening your underlying orthodontic problems. When you come to Clear Braces Direct, we care about getting you the straighter smile you want and are not as driven to turn a profit as some online providers, so we will only recommend invisible aligners if you are suitable for them.

Cost

Many people have concerns that when they undertake orthodontic treatment with a branded aligner, the name itself will add a price tag. And if you can get the same treatment online for less, why wouldn’t you?

However, with the price tag that we offer our patients comes our team’s dedication to straightening your teeth, the ability to contact us at any time if you have issues and, of course, the knowledge that our team has experience and training with this aligner to ensure that it works.

Time scale

It is not a secret that when you use invisible aligners to straighten your teeth, many have an average turnaround of between 3-6 months. But this faster treatment can only really be guaranteed if you have a team helping you with each stage of your treatment, which may not be possible if you are using an off-branded online option.

Many issues can occur when using an off-brand aligner that can slow the treatment down; poor tracking, bad engagement from either the patient or the dental team and, of course, delays with shipping out replacement aligners as and when needed. When you come to Clear Braces Direct, we will always ensure that the aligner we provide will fit your teeth well and aim to keep you engaged with the treatment to get desirable results.