Frequently Asked Questions
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® ‘Clear Braces’ straighten teeth using custom-made aligners like transparent gumshields, rather than metal braces. They fit perfectly over your teeth and most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them, unless you tell them! You can talk, smile and socialise as normal, but still have all the benefits of a fixed brace.
Is it for me?
Invisalign® treatment can be a great solution for both adults and teens looking for a virtually invisible method to improve their smile. Our innovations and technological advancements make it possible to fix nearly all common teeth-straightening and bite issues, from simple to complex — all without interrupting your busy life.
How does it work?
Invisalign® works in the same way as a traditional brace, applying constant, precise pressure on each tooth to produce the desired movement. You must wear the aligners throughout the day and night, only removing them for eating and cleaning. Every one to two weeks, you switch to a new set of aligners, which has a shape closer to the end goal.
Who does it work best for?
Two main types of patients:
- Those who’ve had train-tracks in the past and whose teeth have moved back through not wearing a retainer.
- Patients with minor crowding in both arches and for patients over the age of 16.
What happens first?
Invisalign® Treatment starts with a consultation with our experienced Invisalign® Doctor who will evaluate your smile and then map out a precise, customised digital treatment plan that showcases the step-by-step transformation of your smile.
Once you approve your plan, your unique aligners will be created. You will wear each set of aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, changing to a new set of aligners every 1 to 2 weeks, as directed by your Invisalign® Doctor. Each set of aligners will gently and gradually shift your teeth into place, according to your treatment plan, towards your beautiful new smile.
What happens during treatment?
Your Invisalign® Doctor will most likely recommend scheduling a dental check-up and cleaning before you begin Invisalign® treatment, to make sure your teeth and gums are in top health and to avoid unnecessary risks.
There needs to be consistent supervision, particularly in the early days. We prefer to see patients at least every four weeks to begin with. To allow teeth to align, small adjustments may need to be made to create space between certain teeth.
What about results?
You’re likely to see a visible difference within the first two weeks. However, teeth will move back if the aligners aren’t used as directed. As with some fixed braces, you may have to wear a retainer at night at the end of the treatment plan, as otherwise teeth can move back. See the results for yourself in our Invisalign® Before & After Gallery.
How long will it take?
The length of treatment depends on multiple factors, like how complex your case is and how often you wear your aligners. Your Invisalign® Doctor will determine exactly how long your treatment could take based on your specific needs. On average, Invisalign® treatment time is 12 to 18 months4 though you can start seeing results in a matter of weeks.
Are there any other benefits?
Invisalign® is a conservative treatment and does not usually require teeth to be removed, as can be the case with fixed braces. It can also cut down on the number of veneers needed to align teeth. In fact, after treatment, you may not need any at all.
As you can take aligners out means it’s much easier to clean your teeth with than a fixed brace. It also means you can remove them, if you wish, for a special occasion or meeting.
An added benefit is that the aligners can often be used, under supervision, as whitening trays for home whitening, so please ask if this may be of interest to you.
Are there any limitations or downsides?
Invisalign® is not suited to cases of heavy crowding. Also, the aligners can take a couple of days to get used to initially and speech can be a little affected for the first couple of days – but then things tend to settle back to normal. It may be necessary to extend the course if some teeth are reluctant to move.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Please refer to our Price List for costs.
Please visit the Invisalign® website for further details, and to see Invisalign® Braces in action.