Common queries about Invisalign answered

Are you keen to straighten your teeth using clear aligners?

invisalign--harley-street

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.