How Invisalign has changed adult orthodontics

Orthodontics may bring up images of teenagers in braces who are going through an awkward adolescent period, but in a modern clinic, it just isn’t like that. Let’s see how Invisalign Harley Street has changed the adult orthodontist landscape. Contact us at Harley Street Dental if you would like more information.

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The adult perspective

Orthodontic care for adult patients has been stymied for several reasons. There is a perception that teeth become less mobile as you grow older; there is a degree of truth to this, and newly erupting permanent teeth are more flexible than those that have matured. But this is a matter of years after getting those permanent teeth. The difference between teenage orthodontic and adult orthodontic treatment is minimal if any, but this idea has been reinforced by the NHS funding brackets that permit orthodontic treatment for children but not adults.

The second reason is the impact on your appearance and the tethering of orthodontic care to braces, which are often seen as the only orthodontic option; this is a significant impediment to treatment, particularly if the treatment is cosmetic. It is like asking people to significantly reduce their appearance for a long-term benefit. It is a barrier to entry that stops many patients from accessing the care they could so easily benefit from.

Treatment steps

Screening is an important aspect at the beginning of every treatment. You can easily book a screening at Harley Street Dental on our website.  It allows us to fully assess your suitability and what your outcomes might be. This is particularly in-depth when it comes to clear aligners since after the fundamentals – checking for cavity damage and any other risk factors – an oral scan can be taken. In real-time, you will be able to see the movements your teeth will go through during the course of the treatment, allowing you to be fully aware of every step before committing to proceeding with the care regime.

Invisalign Harley Street is quite different to braces. In the checkup schedule and daily life, they are nowhere near as rigid as braces. These aligners only really require intervention in the event that something is going wrong, and checkups are there to check for this and have the flexibility to fit around your schedule. Sometimes, the checkups can even be performed online.

The most important aspect of a checkup is ensuring that the aligner order is maintained and the movement of the teeth is in sync; assuming the aligner is used appropriately, errors with this are unlikely. Occasionally, finishing (additional adjustment aligners that are used at the end of the treatment) is required to correct the last few millimetres.

Living with clear aligners

Invisalign Harley Street is also significantly different to traditional braces and how they affect your everyday life. Their maintenance and cleaning are just as different as their appearance when it comes to this orthodontic tool.

Unlike traditional braces, it is possible to remove aligners before eating; this is highly recommended as it minimises the opportunity for them to be damaged by hard foods. It also means they do not affect your food choices. Aligners also require a little more than a quick rinse in lukewarm water before replacing them to keep them fresh and clean.

Invisalign – the pros and cons of treatment

The great thing about our dentists is that they are here to guide you towards the appropriate treatment – not to sell you a product or service, as we know all treatments have their pros and cons despite their growing popularity. So, let’s take a level-headed look at Invisalign W1.

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Effectiveness

The effectiveness of clear aligners as a group has been questioned, but we at Harley Street Dental Clinic have found that to be an overgeneralisation, with there being a significant quantity of aligners that are misused, usually through home treatment kits and online dentistry. This branded aligner has never permitted their products to be used outside of a fully-qualified dental practice and only operates out of licensed surgeries. This gives both the oversight of a dentist maximising treatment effectiveness, as well as the support of the manufacturer to the local surgery.

In this context, clear aligners have been shown to be effective at correcting mild to moderate misalignment in good time and with fewer unpleasant side effects.

Comfort

Historically, orthodontic treatment has not placed comfort as the highest priority. That has changed and even the traditional metal brace has had to adapt to patients’ expectations, with comfort being a factor. Invisalign W1 takes this to new heights. Traditional orthodontic braces  need to be adjusted or tightened; this is usually done with six weeks intervals, but it could be done more often, producing the inconvenience of travelling to the clinic and limited surgery time with increased treatment costs. Clear aligners are used for 2 weeks before moving on to the next aligner in the series. This is the equivalent of having a brace corrected, with smaller and more regular corrections which are far more tolerable, making aligners more comfortable. Most patients report a consistent pressure on their teeth which soon becomes normalised, leading to them forgetting whether they are wearing their aligner or not.

Visual impact

Finally onto the clear part of clear aligners. One of the best aspects of this orthodontic technique is its minimalism; by using the elastic deformation and its resulting pressure to move teeth, clear aligners do not require brackets, archwires, rubber bands or any of the other things that a traditional brace needs. They function just as well in any colour, but by being translucent with clean lines and tightly fitted to the teeth, they are close to invisible.

Maintenance and lifestyle impact

Maintenance of Invisalign W1 is quite different to that of other braces; they are removable from your mouth although it is only recommended to take them out sparingly just to eat and clean teeth. That said, the majority of maintenance and hygiene associated with traditional braces is around eating and the extensive cleaning after eating.  By being able to remove your aligner in order to consume food and then brush before returning it, much of that rigmarole is avoided.

The presence of the aligner does reduce the flow of natural saliva around the teeth, increasing risks of cavity formation and the build-up of plaque. Care should be taken to improve brushing technique and general oral hygiene.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in contact with our surgery and we would be happy to explain more about clear aligners and how they could help you.

Recreating your smile with Invisalign Harley Street

A leap of faith

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When we are in our toddler years, we understand that we are fabulous, adorable and nothing can stop us. As we begin to get older, new insecurities can begin to filter through into our minds causing us to dislike certain aspects of our appearance. It may be the pinkness to our cheeks, the freckle that we feel stands out or the crooked smile that appears throughout each day. Hiding away would of course be the easy option, and with the wearing of masks having become a normal occurrence within society, it is all too easy to conceal these things rather than addressing the root of any insecurity. Whilst this may seem like the easy option, it is far more constructive to contact your dental team and discuss Invisalign Harley Street.

Commencing your journey

Opening up to your dental team does not need to be a huge declaration. However, by informing your dental team of what you would like to achieve you will be revealing the options available to you and begin to learn what may or may not be suitable for you.

Once you have taken the first step, a consultation can be booked in so that an in-depth discussion can be conducted over what style of treatment or procedure might best address your needs. After all, there is no point pursuing options that are not suitable. This is why during the consultation a thorough examination of your teeth, mouth and gums, along with digital scans, X-rays and in some cases, moulds will be taken. This thorough appointment enables our team to discover and understand what you want from treatment, and allows you to ask any questions you may have and narrow down the possibilities.

Whilst the digital scans, X-rays and moulds may seem a little far-fetched at this early stage, not only do they enable our dental team to thoroughly assess the misalignment, but should you decide to have the Invisalign Harley Street treatment these processes also aid in the creation of the tailor-made aligners.

The following steps

Shortly after the consultation process, an appointment will be put in place to introduce you to your new best friends. These aligners are to be worn for around 22 hours a day and are only removed during your daily teeth cleaning regime and when you eat food. This is why being talked through the process and understanding your commitment is so important.

Once you have the aligners, it is over to you, but rest assured you will be supported. Every 4 to 6 weeks our dental team will take a look at your progress and help you stick to your plan. As a team we want to assist you to achieve the results you desire.

Transforming a smile has never been easier with a variety of options, a range of payment plans and with modern, knowledgeable dental teams around the world. The main task for you is to take the leap, open up the discussion with our dental team and to put your faith in yourself and in Invisalign Harley Street.

Why do our patients choose Invisalign?

Straightening your teeth can really help to change the look of your smile for the better, and we are proud to offer this treatment to our patients here at Harley Street Dental Clinic. There are many different treatment options when it comes to straightening your teeth, and Invisalign W1 really stands out. We will explain why this is below, but firstly, you will want to know what this treatment is and how everything works.

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Invisalign is a treatment that mainly focusses on straightening mild to moderate cases of misalignment. This is done by wearing clear, plastic aligners, and each one is slightly different which causes your teeth to move into a straighter position. This treatment has really assisted our patients who want help to transform their smile into a straighter and therefore healthier one.

Once we have had a consultation with you and your aligners have arrived, we will recommend that you wear them for around 20 hours a day. They are removable, which means it’s easy when it comes to eating, brushing your teeth and cleaning your aligners. After every 2 weeks, you will change to a new aligner, which will further straighten your teeth. You will repeat this process until the treatment is over and your teeth have been successfully straightened. The amount of time this takes depends on individual needs, but generally varies anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

During your Invisalign W1 journey, our team at Harley Street Dental Clinic will do everything they can to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable experience. Our dentists are highly knowledgeable and professional concerning this treatment, and will ensure that you receive the results you have been looking for.

Why Invisalign?

Now we can explain all of the great things that make Invisalign W1 one of the most popular teeth straightening choices among our patients. There are so many benefits that you can enjoy before, during and after the treatment.

Simple consultation

One of the first advantages that you will notice about Invisalign is how quick and easy our consultation appointment is. We are proudly using our brand new iTero scanner to 3D scan the mouths of our patients, which means no impressions and no gagging. The scanner also uses technology that allows us to show you what your results should look like at the end of the treatment which is very exciting!

Invisible aligners

One of the main things that makes this treatment stand out for our patients is the appearance of the aligners when they are in. You may not want to draw unwanted attention to your teeth whilst straightening them, and this treatment is perfect for that. Your aligners will be clear and custom-made to fit your teeth, so they will be barely visible.

Removable

Another thing that you can enjoy when getting this treatment with us is the fact that the aligners are easily removable. This really helps to make everything easier and more comfortable for you when it comes to normal functions like eating, it should also mean that the aligner can be kept pristine using cool water to rinse it. This also means that you won’t need any invasive surgeries to attach fixed appliances, which is perfect for our nervous patients.

Invisalign Harley Street: getting your smile into alignment

If you had a wish list for realigning your teeth and asked for an appliance that couldn’t be seen, could be removed, was comfortable to wear yet very difficult to break and could achieve results in as little as 6 months, you’d probably think that it was impossible to get something that could do all that. However, at Harley Dental Street Clinic we have a treatment option that can deliver on comfort, discretion and effectiveness with Invisalign Harley Street.

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What is Invisalign?

Invisalign Harley Street is a treatment that consists of sets of aligners being worn and changed between on a fortnightly/weekly basis. They sit over the teeth and being made of transparent plastic, only the teeth should be visible to other people, allowing the wearer to feel confident about realigning their teeth discreetly. The aligners apply a little pressure to the teeth as they are being worn to move them into the desired position. You will be provided with 6 weeks’ worth of aligners to change between on a regular basis and then you just need to come back to see us, here at our clinic, to receive your next batch of aligners for the following 6 weeks.

Why Invisalign Harley Street?

If you have mild to moderate alignment issues, Invisalign can treat these very effectively. Whether you have gapped teeth, crowded teeth, under or overbites, or crossbites, Invisalign can help. There is even a special range for teenagers. Invisalign offers the discretion you need to wear your aligners without worrying about what others will think. It also means that you have flexibility to remove the aligners when you need to for up to 2 hours a day, when you need a little break or when you are eating and drinking. It also means that by removing your aligners for mealtimes, you won’t have to have a messy clean up operation afterwards!

Another benefit to choosing Invisalign is that you can continue to brush and floss as normal. When you are doing this, you don’t have to have your aligners in your mouth, which means that there is nothing to impede your oral hygiene efforts, unlike with other treatment options such as fixed braces. There is also less to break with your aligners than those options with delicate wires and brackets, so you should hopefully find you don’t need to take much time out of your busy schedule to come and see us (although we are always here when you need us!)

The next steps

If you are keen to find out about how to get a smile that you can feel proud of, why not book in for an initial consultation with us at Harley Street Dental Clinic? We will examine your mouth thoroughly and discuss the treatment options with you. You can share your concerns and ask as many questions as you require, to feel fully informed about the decisions you are making.

To get your smile on track, come and see how we can help – it’s time to feel aligned in your smile and in yourself.

Invisalign; what to expect when you begin treatment

Not sure what happens when you approach a dentist to begin treatment with an invisible aligner?

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At Harley Street, we have helped many patients straighten their teeth using Invisalign W1 and can offer you advice and expertise at every stage of your realignment journey.

So, what can you expect when you begin the process of using Invisalign W1? Read on to find out!

Find a dentist

You may have read that any dentist can use Invisalign W1; this is not true and can lead to a worsening of dental issues.

It takes additional training to use this aligner and, of course, our team at Harley Street Dental has completed all of the required training (and more!) and has the experience required to use this aligner.

Smile assessment

A key part of this process is the assessment; will you be suitable to have your teeth straightened with this brand of invisible aligner or not?

And so, our team at the practice will examine the position and condition of your teeth and your gum health, before we begin the treatment process and take scans of your mouth.

Many cases of misalignment can be treated with this brand of aligner, so if you have an overbite, underbite, excess spacing or crowding, book yourself in for a smile assessment today and we will see if this aligner can help!

Prediction

One of the most amazing parts of the entire process for many patients is the prediction of the ultimate outcome.

Using the scan we take of your teeth, we can upload it onto a 3D model on a computer, and show you exactly how we predict your teeth will need to move to achieve the desired result.

This allows you to see yourself with realigned teeth before it happens, meaning there will be no unwanted surprises with the realignment process.

Aligners

With this brand of aligner you will usually be given around 14 in total, to wear in a sequential order to complete the realignment.

Even if you feel that one of the aligners is not important, you must still wear it, as it can cause your teeth to move out of the correct alignment if you don’t and could even lead to your teeth reverting to their original positions.

You can expect some minor discomfort when you switch between aligners, and to mitigate this discomfort, you should use over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen. If the discomfort is excessive please see our team, as there may be an issue with the aligners fitting correctly.

Costs and other bits

OK, so when it comes to wearing invisible aligners, many patients worry that they will not be able to afford it.

However, at our clinic we can offer financing options to help you spread the cost over several months, allowing you to pay what you can afford rather than the lump sum. If this sounds like something you would be interested in applying for, please talk to our team.

There are some other bits that patients use to accompany this treatment; the use of chewies to help them fit their aligners better is becoming increasingly popular. Also, with the everyday use of the aligners, keeping them clean is important and so, it is worth exploring washes or rinses to soak the aligners in to keep them invisible, fresh and functional!

Common queries about Invisalign answered

Are you keen to straighten your teeth using clear aligners?

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At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can offer our suitable patients Invisalign Harley Street, allowing you to get the straighter smile you want with the discretion you desire too. It’s a win-win situation!

Eager to know more about Invisalign Harley Street? Here, we answer common FAQs that we receive for your information.

How do you clean the aligners?

Invisalign Harley Street aligners are fairly simple to clean; simply rinse them under a cold tap to remove debris and plaque.

If you have a more stubborn set of stains, do not attempt to remove them with hot water, as this can cause issues and may lead to the aligner warping.

Do the aligners cause discomfort?

When you are given the aligners, you will usually receive an average of 14, that need to be worn for 2 weeks at a time.

And yes, when you change between the aligners, there is likely to be some pressure, soreness and general discomfort as your teeth adjust to the newly shaped aligner.

To mitigate this, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain relief. But if you have concerns about the level of discomfort you are in, talk to our team.

Can I have aligners if I have had composite bonding?

If you have had composite bonding applied to your teeth before you have wanted to undertake invisible aligners, you will need to see our team for suitability.

In most cases, there is no issue with having aligners while also having composite bonding, but if you have had bonding placed between teeth to close a gap, in essence fusing them, and they now require realigning, this can complicate matters.

So, in short, this is a question that can only be answered with a consultation from our team.

Can directly sourced aligners achieve the same results?

In a word, no they can not.

There has been a boom in recent years with patients seeking aligners directly from clubs and companies that proclaim they can straighten your teeth at home without the need to see a dentist. This is not only unwise, but it is also potentially dangerous.

Dental realignment needs to be overseen by a trained professional who can take the mould themself (or the scans) and then help you with the wearing of the aligner. With at-home aligners, there are too many errors that can occur, such as improper mould taking, poorly fitting aligners and lack of instruction that can cause damage to your teeth in the long run.

If you want to have your teeth straightened using any kind of brace or aligner, call our team for advice and consultation.

Can my teeth relapse after treatment?

Yes, they can.

After you have had any kind of orthodontic treatment, if you fail to wear the associated retainers, you are running the risk of your teeth relapsing into their previous positions. Retainers are designed to hold your teeth in place while they adjust to their new location in the mouth and so, you will need to keep your retainer in for as long as our team recommends. And as a retainer is usually visually similar to these invisible aligners, there are no aesthetic concerns to be had.

Invisalign FAQs answered

When it comes to straightening your teeth, our team can offer you Invisalign W1. Sleek, custom-fitted and easy to fit around everyday life, these aligners are one of our most popular treatments. Let’s find out more about them with the following FAQs.

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Do invisible aligners hurt?

Invisalign W1 is one of the more comfortable types of adult orthodontic treatment, as it relies on pushing the teeth into their desired positions rather than pulling them.

But as they are provided in a set of around 14 aligners, with each one needing to be worn in succession, you may notice some pressure after you have changed between them.

Do they take longer than regular braces?

On average, invisible aligners take between 3-6 months to straighten mild to moderate misalignments.

But it is worth remembering that regular braces are more suited to correcting complex issues surrounding dental positioning, and therefore, they will take longer to straighten your teeth than aligners. Invisible aligners can also straighten complex cases, but in such instances, the treatment itself may take longer than 6 months. The treatment time also relies heavily on you keeping your aligners in your mouth for around 22 hours per day or as directed by our team.

Will I be able to afford them?

At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we are happy to offer our suitable patients 0% finance options, which will help you spread the cost of the treatment into affordable monthly chunks.

If you would like to know more about the financing options that we may be able to provide you with, please call our friendly reception team for more information.

How do I look after them?

Invisible aligners are very easy to care for and, as they do not require alterations or tightening, they can easily be fitted into your daily routine.

We usually advise that you clean them twice a day by rinsing them under a cold tap. But, if you have stubborn debris or staining, you should use a toothbrush to remove it and not attempt to clean it off using hot water. This can cause the aligners to warp out of shape, after which you would need to order new ones, thus delaying the treatment time.

When the aligners are not in your mouth, we recommend placing them in the containers provided and not putting them into your pockets or a bag, as this can inadvertently cause them to become damaged.

Will they affect my speech?

It is likely that the presence of an aligner in your mouth is going to affect your speech.

But, it is probable that if you have had misaligned teeth for a while, that your speech patterns have already been altered by the position of your teeth. And, while it may seem strange, developing a different vocal pattern when wearing an aligner can be a good thing, as it means your teeth are shifting and your tongue is moving correctly.

As a result, any speech impediments you had, such as a lisp, may reverse completely. If you would like more information about how wearing Invisalign W1 can help you or a family member, please feel free to contact our team.

Retainers; how to cope after Invisalign

Have you finished wearing invisible aligners and are now wearing a retainer? Are you a bit unsure of what to do while undertaking this part of your orthodontic treatment?

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At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we can offer you tips on how to manage wearing a retainer (and all other areas of dental care) once you finish wearing Invisalign Harley Street, to keep your teeth and gums healthy for years to come. Great!

Here, we offer some general tips on what to do once you have finished wearing Invisalign Harley Street and have been provided with a retainer by our team.

Attend dental appointments

First things first, after you have finished wearing Invisalign Harley Street, you will need to attend regular dental appointments with our team.

This is for 3 key reasons. For one thing, our team will need to check that the retainer we provide you with is working to hold your teeth in place without causing issues. In some instances, the retainers can fail and the teeth can move out of alignment, which is why we need to see you  regularly during the first few months after you finish wearing the aligners.

Secondly, we will need to check for cavities and other signs of decay; there is little point in having your teeth straightened if they are going to succumb to decay and gum disease shortly after.

And finally, we will need to see you simply to ensure that any concerns you have surrounding the treatment are answered and that you are happy with the final result of the realignment.

Wear the retainer

When you finish any orthodontic treatment, you will be given a retainer to prevent your teeth from moving back into their former positions, without the pressure of a regular treatment aligner.

Our team will customise any retainers provided and, while it may seem an annoyance after wearing aligners, you will need to wear them as prescribed.

If you don’t, your teeth can revert back to their original positions, making the wearing of the aligner a waste of time and effort on your part.

Be smart and keep the retainers in!

Report discomfort

Wearing a retainer should not be uncomfortable.

If you experience discomfort while wearing a retainer, please contact our team. Such an issue could point towards the retainer warping out of shape, your teeth becoming misaligned or an issue with the initial fitting.

Irrespective of the cause, if it is unpleasant to wear your aligner, call our team.

Floss regularly

As obvious as it may sound in relation to dental hygiene, we will usually advise all of our patients who wear a retainer to regularly floss their teeth.

This is because flossing your teeth prevents plaque and bacteria from sticking to the retainer which, if left unchecked, can lead to a higher incidence of gum disease and decay.

If you need tips on flossing or using interdental brushes, please talk to our team.

Clean the retainer

Much like invisible aligners, you will need to keep your retainer clean in order for it to work and keep your teeth healthy. Simply rinse the retainer under a cold tap and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any stuck-on food. Alternatively, why not use a denture cleaner to refresh the retainer?

A short guide to Invisalign aligners

Are you eager to straighten your teeth but want to know a bit more about the orthodontic options available?

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When you come to Harley Street Dental Clinic for orthodontic work, we can offer you a wide range of treatments, including Invisalign W1.

Here, our team at Harley Street Dental Clinic offers a brief guide to Invisalign W1 so that you can learn a bit more about this aligner.

What are invisible aligners?

In short, Invisalign W1 or invisible aligners physically resemble mouthguards that are worn by people who play contact sports.

These aligners are made from clear plastic and will fit over your teeth snugly as they can be custom-made to move only your teeth. They usually come in a pack of about 14 aligners, which will have to be worn in a specific order to achieve your goal.

Due to their visual discretion, clear aligners are exceedingly popular with adult and teenage patients.

Daily use (basics)

When you use invisible aligners in your daily life, there are a few key points to remember.

Firstly, you need to remove them before you eat or drink; this will help to keep them clean and intact.

When you have finished eating and are about to put the aligners back in, you will need to brush your teeth to remove any food debris; this will keep your teeth healthy since pressing food debris against your enamel or gums with an aligner is likely to cause problems with hygiene.

And finally (well, not finally but our team can fill you in on other bits!), you will need to keep your aligners in for as long as possible each day to see the effects; we recommend 22 hours.

Potential issues

It is unlikely that you will experience any issues due to the use of invisible aligners, but we feel we need to mention potential ones just in case.

An issue you may experience is discomfort with both the movement of your teeth and the aligners rubbing against the soft tissues of your mouth. Concerning the first issue, over-the-counter pain relievers should suffice at resolving this, and if it doesn’t, then please book an appointment to see our team; aligners are not meant to be uncomfortable.

Should you notice that the aligners are rubbing against your inner cheeks or tongue and causing sores, we recommend that you invest in dental wax. Placing this wax on the parts of the aligner that rub against your soft tissues will create a buffer and prevent any secondary issues from occurring whilst also being comfortable.

Treatment time

On average, invisible aligners take between 3 and 6 months to straighten teeth.

However, this is not set in stone, and many patients may get their teeth straightened sooner or may need to wear the aligners for longer. It is also worth noting that as these aligners are removable, it can be tempting to leave them out for longer periods than recommended; this can hinder the realignment process and may cause your teeth to revert to their former positions. So, to keep your treatment on schedule, keep your aligners in.