Invisalign

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What is Invisalign? 

Invisalign is a discrete orthodontic treatment which utilises clear tray aligners to straighten misaligned smiles. Treatment is subtle, moving the teeth into a straight position whilst being undetectable to the eye.
The treatment can vary in duration for each patient, but the treatment itself follows a process which all individuals will experience. This starts with the initial tray fitting and computer-aided mapping of the teeth's movement over the course of treatment.
The treys which are made up of polyurethane resins, are designed in clusters, so each set can be swapped for the next in as little time as a week and in some cases after a month or two. This ensures the teeth are on track to move into their arched alignment.

Why might I need Invisalign?

Patients may find they need Invisalign to improve their confidence in their smile, but for others, it may be as important as restoring the mouth and teeth into a place where it is comfortable to eat and speak.
Typically, misaligned teeth are no cause for concern. However, some patients may find it difficult to chew with certain teeth out of alignment. Similarly, if teeth are overcrowded, undercrowded or positioned in a way that obstructs the mouth, the patient may report a speech impediment. 

Advantages of Invisalign

(Talk about Invisalign vs braces in this section, along with other advantages)
The first and most obvious advantage of opting for an Invisalign treatment is its discreet appearance. Patients can undergo treatment without the typically noticeable wires and brackets in place.
The second biggest advantage to Invisalign, is patients being able to see their teeth moving into alignment throughout their treatment. Making a perfectly aligned smile a more tangible idea.
Unlike braces, Invisalign is comfortable on the gums and inner cheek, which is ideal as patients are less likely to experience discomfort from the metal digging in and scratching them.
Patients can clean the trays with ease. Traditional braces can be quite tricky to clean, and they require slightly more time to clean to prevent cavities. Invisalign can simply be removed to be cleaned, also allowing for the tooth surface to be properly cleaned in the process.
Patients are not limited to their diets. Unlike with braces where specific foods must be removed from the diet to ensure their maintenance. The freedom to eat as we want can be a huge factor in determining if it is the right treatment for a patient.

How long does it take

Each Invisalign treatment is likely to vary in duration due to the uniqueness of each patient's mouth. However, treatment typically lasts between 3 months to 2 years.
Patients requiring a significant shift in alignment are far more likely to be wearing their Invisalign over an extended period. Whilst those requiring only minor adjustments may find the duration lasts as little as a few months.

Cost

The cost of Invisalign treatment is currently not covered by the NHS, so patients wanting Invisalign treatment will have to pay privately. Each Colosseum Dental practice is subject to different pricing. For more information, contact your local dental clinic to get an estimated cost of treatment.

Why choose Colosseum Dental?

Colosseum Dental is a leading dental care provider in the UK, serving over 750,000 NHS and private patients.
At Colosseum Dental, we are committed to delivering exceptional, personalised care at competitive prices, with a range of payment options to suit individual needs. With access to the latest technology and continual professional development, our 10,000 highly trained dental professionals ensure patients receive the highest standard of care.

Maintenance & aftercare

Invisalign trays need to be properly cared for for patients to see the best results and maintain great oral health. Cleaning them will prevent the aligners from staining and causing a buildup of plaqueA soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives..  To clean the Invisalign trays, the patients have a few options:
  1. Gently scrubbing with a toothbrush and toothpaste. In the same way, we would brush our natural teeth, we need to brush the Invisalign to clear off any remaining bacteria.
  2. Patients can opt for cleaning crystals, which dissolve in warm water to create a cleaning solution for the Invisalign. The Invisalign are left to sit in it for around 5-10 minutes before being rinsed and scrubbed with a toothbrush. Avoid using your personal toothbrush as you will not want the chemical residue from the crystal solution.
  3. A sonic cleaner can help disturb and remove bacteria; simply place the Invisalign into the soak.
  4. Utilising the plaque staining ink tablets can help patients understand what areas need to be cleaned to most on the aligner.

Patients should not eat with their retainer in, equally avoiding sugary or hot drinks when wearing the aligner. This prevents the aligner from warping, staining or completely breaking.
Once patients have completed treatment, they will need to wear their retainer at night (whilst sleeping) to help prevent any movement from occurring. Patients will need to ensure their regular oral maintenance like daily brushing is taken care of to prevent the build-up of plaque between the retained and tooth. 

Flawless, attentive customer service, the girls at the reception are really caring, and Diego put me well at ease with his team while installing my first Invisalign. Highly recommend.
Lauretta Magliocchetti - Little London Dental Clinic

Frequently asked questions

Can I get braces on the NHS?
NHS treatment is free for under 18s. It covers any treatment that a child has a ‘clear health need’ for. This can include Orthodontics in some cases. These are assessed on a scale, which is defined by the British Orthodontics Society, from Grade 1 – perfect teeth – to Grade 5 for the worst cases. Only those cases in grades 4 and 5 will receive NHS treatment.

If you are not eligible for NHS treatment then it is worth thinking about Private Orthodontics.
Can you use an electric toothbrush with braces?
Yes. An electric toothbrush can be used safely with braces. Using an electric toothbrush may make it easier to brush ‘hard-to-get-to’ areas under the wires where food can get trapped.
Do braces hurt?
There is usually minimal pain when braces are applied to teeth. Most patients feel some discomfort and need a little time to adjust to their braces as their teeth realign. For example, eating a meal might take a little longer at first and feel different than usual.

In cases where the discomfort caused by the braces is painful, it can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.
 
Do I need braces / aligners?
Most children never require a brace. However, if a dentist feels that a child’s teeth and oral health would be improved by braces, they will usually refer them to an orthodontist (a specialist in straightening teeth). The orthodontist can then examine the patient’s teeth and advise on the best course of action.

Braces are usually fitted to straighten crooked teeth, close gaps and/or resolve protruding teeth. Braces are also used to correct a patient’s bite, so that the top and bottom teeth meet when the mouth is closed.

Most children receive orthodontic treatment between the ages of 12-13, when the jaw and mouth are still growing. Receiving orthodontic treatment older than this or as an adult, is likely to be a slower process.
 
How can you straighten teeth without braces?
In some instances, it may be possible to straighten teeth without the use of braces. For example, if your teeth are only overcrowded mildly, your orthodontist might advise using a retainer instead to rectify the issue. Furthermore, an undeveloped palate in a child (for example, where there isn’t likely to be enough space for future adult teeth to grow into properly) may be widened with the help of expanders rather than permanent braces.
As mentioned previously, using a clear aligner rather than a traditional brace may provide more discretion and flexibility to a patient, thereby providing greater confidence and comfort.
 
How long do braces last?
There is no standard set time that it takes for braces to work but in general, treatment usually takes from 18 months to 2 years to correct the issue. During the treatment, the patient will require regular appointments with the orthodontist to check on progress and make any minor adjustments to the brace.
 
How long does it take to put braces on?
For most braces, the treatment lasts about 1-2 hours. The treatment usually starts with the orthodontist cleaning and drying your teeth. He/she will then apply a special adhesive to your teeth to attach the brackets (these are usually small ceramic or metal squares). Once attached, the orthodontist will then place the “archwire” (the wire that connects the brackets and teeth together) and ensure its secure with elastic bands.
 
How much do braces cost?
Children under the age of 18 can have orthodontic treatment on the NHS at no cost. Whilst there can be specific cases where adult orthodontic treatment may be covered by the NHS, it’s usually not available for free. Private orthodontic treatment often depends on the patient and their case but can usually cost around £2,500 and upwards.
 
How much does Private Orthodontics cost?
Costs will depend on the type of braces that you choose and what treatment is needed. Your Dentist will discuss the costs with you as part of your initial consultation. We offer interest free credit for treatments over £300 and you can find more information on our payment plans here.
How old do you have to be to get braces?
Both adults and children can have braces to correct crooked or unstraight teeth.

For children, most dentists advise that they get braces at around 12-13 years old as at this age, the jaw and mouth are still growing and is therefore more conducive for teeth straightening.

For adults, the results may take a little longer than children as it may require more time to correct the issue.
 
What can you eat with braces?
For the most part, patients with braces can continuing eating normally. However, your orthodontist will advise you to avoid certain foods that can get stuck in between brackets or potentially damage your braces, such as:
  • Nuts
  • Ice
  • Popcorn
  • Hard sweets
  • Hard crackers
  • Chewy food / sweets
  • Pizza crusts
  • Other hard or particularly crunchy foods
Your orthodontist is also likely to advise against drinking too much sugary drinks such as fizzy pop or energy drinks. These drinks create plaque, which could be harder to remove from your teeth with braces on.
 
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics refers to any treatment used to straighten teeth. Most commonly this is braces, but it can also include treatments which address conditions like cleft lip and palette and sleep apnoea.

Orthodontics can be used alongside other treatments to give you the smile that you are looking for.
What’s the difference between braces and a retainer?
Braces are applied to straighten the teeth into a new position by gluing brackets to your teeth and a wire attached in order to apply the necessary pressure to straighten your teeth.

A retainer is often used after braces have been taken off to ensure that your teeth remain position and prevent them from moving back to where they were before treatment. Where braces are not required to straighten teeth, a retainer may be an alternate option used.

Whilst braces are glued to your teeth, retainers are removable. In some instances, you might only need to wear your retainer at night.
 
Who can have Orthodontics?
Children can be fitted with several Orthodontic options once all their adult teeth have appeared, usually around 12 years old. Adults can have Orthodontic treatment at any time, but treatments can be more limited.
In order to have Orthodontic treatment you need to have good oral health overall – put in front of oral health, as treatments such as braces can cause tooth decay if they are not looked after properly.

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