If you’ve been considering realigning your teeth, you may have been thinking about various factors including time, cost, convenience and the all-important aesthetics. Having traditional fixed metal braces can be a source of embarrassment for some people, along with the potential for discomfort and the possible need for emergency appointments with your dentist if they break. Some dentists may offer another solution with clear braces in Clapham. Get the 411 on what they are and why they might be the treatment you need to get your teeth realigned and put a smile on your face.
Invisalign
A popular brand of braces which is discreet and almost invisible is Invisalign. Invisalign is made up of sets of clear plastic aligners which are worn over the teeth and sit on the gum line a bit like a gum shield, but far more streamlined. They are made to measure your mouth, so they offer great comfort and can be removed whenever you need them to be. This means that they are convenient to use as you can take them out when you are eating, so you don’t need to avoid any food types. You can also continue with your regular oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing regularly, and you won’t need to clean food off your aligners. You can also take them out if you have a special occasion or are doing physical activity, but the joy of Invisalign is that even if you keep the aligners in, people won’t realise you are wearing them.
Invisalign also offers an incentive to wear your aligners; when you are having your consultation, your dentist can use a 3D scan to get the measurements for your aligners and also to show you a 3D animation of what your teeth will look like after treatment. If you’re a visual learner, you’ll love this! It allows you to imagine what the benefits of wearing Invisalign for 22 hours a day on average for will be. There might not be a better feeling than seeing the future you on TV! Imagine how exciting it will feel to see the smile you have dreamt of losing appearing reformed on widescreen – move over Spielberg!
Invisalign is used to treat a range of mild to moderate alignment issues, including crossbite, underbite, overbite, crowded teeth, gap teeth and open bite. While it may not be able to treat more complex issues, it packs a punch when it comes to issues such as these. Depending on the individual patient’s circumstances, some alignment issues can be improved in as little as 6 months, after which retainers will need to be worn.
How to get Invisalign
If you think that Invisalign might be of interest, then book in for a consultation with your dentist who will be able to discuss all of the options available to you. If they feel that Invisalign could be the right course of treatment, they will then use the 3D scan. During an initial consultation, you can ask as many questions as you need to about all of the various treatments available to weigh up if Invisalign is right for your specific needs, but one thing’s for sure, they should clear up any concerns you have about realigning your smile.
