What is Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners consist of a series of clear plastic, removable appliances that move your teeth in small increments. Invisalign’s product combines your doctor’s diagnosis and prescription with sophisticated computer graphics technology to develop a treatment plan which specifies the desired movements of your teeth during the course of your treatment, upon approval of a treatment plan developed by your doctor, a series of customised invisalign aligners is produced specifically for your treatment.

Procedure

You may undergo a routine orthodontic pre – treatment examination including radiographs (x-rays) and photographs. Your doctor will take impressions or intra oral scans of your teeth and send them along with prescription to the Align laboratory. Align technicians will follow your doctor’s prescription to create a Clin-Check software model of your prescribed treatment, upon approval of the Clin-Check treatment plan by your doctor. Align will produce and ship a series of customised aligners to your doctor. The total number of the aligners will vary depending on the complexity of your malocclusion and the doctor’s treatment plan. The aligners will be individually numbered and will be dispensed to you by your doctor with specific instructions for use. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you should wear your aligners for approximately 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, brush and floss. As directed by your doctor, you will switch to the next aligner in the series every 1-2 weeks’ time or as directed by your doctor. Treatment duration caries depending on the complexity of your doctor’s prescription. Unless instructed otherwise, you should have a follow up with your doctor at least at a minimum of every 6 to 8 weeks.

Some patients may require bonded aesthetics attachments and / or use of elastics during treatment to facilitate specific orthodontic movements. Patients may require additional impressions or intraoral scans and / or refinement aligners after the initial series of aligners.

Benefits

• Invisalign aligners offer an aesthetic alternative to conventional braces
• Aligners are nearly invisible so many people won’t realise you are in treatment
• Treatment plans can be visualised through the ClinCheck software
• Aligners allow for normal brushing and flossing tasks that are generally impaired by conventional braces
• The wearing of aligners may improve oral hygiene habits during treatment
• Invisalign patients may notice improved periodontal (gum) health during treatment

Risks & Inconveniences

• Failure to wear the appliances for the required number of hours per day, not using the product as directed by your doctor, missing appointments, erupting or atypically shaped teeth can lengthen the treatment time and affect the ability to achieve the desired results.
• Dental tenderness may be experienced after switching to the next aligner in the series
• Gums, cheeks and lips may scratched or irritated
• Teeth may shift position after treatment, consistent wearing of retainers at the end of treatment should reduce this tendency.
• Tooth decay, periodontal disease, inflammation of the gums or permanent markings may occur if patients consume foods or beverages containing sugar. Brush and floss your teeth properly before wearing the invisalign products and use proper oral hygiene and preventative maintenance.
• The aligners may temporarily affect your speech and may result in a lisp, although any speech impediment caused by the invisalign products should disappear within one or two weeks.
• Aligners may cause a temporary increase of salivation or mouth dryness and certain medications can heighten this effect.
• Attachments may be bonded to one or more teeth during the course of treatment to facilitate tooth movement and / or appliance retention. These will be removed after treatment is completes.
• Attachments may fall off and require replacement.
• The bite may change throughout the course of treatment and may result in temporary patient discomfort.
• At the end of the orthodontic treatment the bite may need adjustment (“occlusal adjustment”)
• Allergic reactions may occur

To learn more about our Invisalign treatment give us a call on 020 7241 4161 or email us at info@marialalousi.com to arrange a consultation