How Do Straight Teeth Aligners Work?

Many assume that the only way to get perfectly straight pearly whites is with the use of clunky traditional wire braces. Whilst that may have been true 20 years ago, today’s teeth straightening solutions are more advanced, varied and discrete than ever. Invisalign is the world’s most advanced clear aligner system. With Invisalign, you get a series of transparent, flexible plastic aligners that you will wear everyday. The aligners will gently and consistently push your teeth towards the desired position.

These aligners work similarly to regular wire and bracket braces, but without the unattractive hardware! Invisalign clear braces are almost invisible and are easily removed whenever you’re enjoying a meal or need to brush your teeth.

These straight teeth aligners are discrete, comfortable and effective which is why they are fast becoming popular with adults and teenagers alike.

The Process of Teeth Straightening with Invisalign at Buttercup

The process of straightening teeth with Invisalign straight teeth aligners is very different to conventional braces. Here’s a quick outline of our step-by-step process.

Consultation

Your process begins with an initial consultation with a Buttercup dentist to discuss your teeth, what you are looking for and how we’ll be able to help.. The initial consultation is free off charge, so even if you are just considering your options — feel free to get in touch.

In your initial appointment, your Buttercup dentist will determine whether Invisalign is appropriate for your teeth.

Any questions you have about the cost and treatment duration will be answered here and the process will be customised to your unique needs.

Preparation

Before embarking on your treatment and creating your custom aligners, we’ll take a scan of your teeth which creates a 3D model of your teeth. Our state-of-the-art scanner also allows us to create a simulation of what your teeth will look like after Invisalign treatment, eliminating the uncertainty of the outcome. We will also take some photos and x-rays of your mouth

The X-rays help us evaluate the tooth root position and jawbone health. This ensures your teeth and gums are healthy enough to undergo the process, reducing unnecessary risks. The photographs and dental impressions are used to make sure that your aligners will fit perfectly.

These steps ensure that your aligners are custom made to your unique set of teeth and your desired smile. They also act as a starting reference point which you can look back at later as your treatment proceeds.

Some patients require ‘attachments’ in addition to the aligners. These are small, tooth-coloured handles that attach to the teeth. They give the aligners something to push the teeth with.

Your clear aligners will fit snugly around the attachments so they are barely noticeable.

Once you receive your custom-made aligners, you are ready to proceed with the treatment!

Wearing The Aligners

For full effect, patients must wear the clear braces for  22 hours every day. You can easily remove them when you like as long as you stick to this regime.

The aligners are changed every week or every two weeks, depending on your individual plan.

The full process of straightening will also depend on your particular needs. For most patients it will take less than 6 months. For some, it can take 12 to 18 months. For others, it can take as little as 3 months.

During your treatment, you will need to drop in every four to six weeks so your dentist can ensure your treatment is progressing as planned.

The Invisalign aligners are far more comfortable than standard wire braces. No foods are off limits and you can remove them whenever you want. They are easy to clean using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and cold water.

Results

You should begin to see results within a few weeks.

At the end of treatment, patients will stop using the aligner and wear a retainer for a short period. This is worn 22 hours peer day initially to help retain the position of the teeth. This is then reduced to overnight use only.

At the end of the treatment, you can say goodbye to the aligner and retainer (except for night-time use), and say hello to your new straight teeth!

Interested In Invisalign?

For more information about Invisalign services with Buttercup, give us a call today on 0141 334 4550 to book your free consultation.