In the field of dentistry today, there are many modern alternatives to traditional orthodontic braces, so when you are told you need braces to straighten your smile, don’t despair.
Many adults and children alike wince when they are told by a dentist they may benefit from braces, with the majority of adults quite often refusing to undergo the procedure without first hearing of the different options available to help them realign their teeth.
At Harley Street Dental Clinic, our dentists in W1 are proud to be able to offer our adult and teenage clients many different types of realigners and braces, the majority of which are discreet, but perform extremely well.
One of the most popular braces that our dentists in W1 offer to our patients is Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
The Invisalign brace is offered by our dentists in W1 to patients who have mild to moderate degrees of misalignment in their teeth. It is also useful for correcting issues such as overcrowding, protruding teeth and excessive gaps between teeth.
In essence, Invisalign treatment involves your dentist making a set of customised retainers or ‘braces’ to fit over your teeth at different stages of the treatment. Depending on the amount of work you require, you may need fewer or more aligners than the standard 7.
Before this begins, your dentist will take a 3D scan of the inside of your mouth and teeth, to determine how much work is required and using advanced 3D computer modelling technology, will be able to show you each stage of the realignment process, so there will be no nasty surprises during your treatment.
Invisalign braces are made from a thin, clear, flexible plastic, that fits snugly over your teeth and uses gentle force to reposition your teeth throughout the treatment. They are removable and therefore, do not interfere with dental hygiene or your eating habits.
Do they work?
One of the reasons Invisalign is so popular among our customers at Harley Street it because it is a fast and effective way to correct issues with tooth alignment in the mouth.
Each brace is designed to be worn for a set time, but as the pressure used by the braces to realign the teeth seems mild, it is hard to believe that this technique actually works but rest assured, it does!
Will I benefit from it?
Unfortunately, not everyone who visits our dental surgery in Harley Street is suitable for treatment with Invisalign braces.
Your dentist must decide if your alignment issues are mild or moderate for you to proceed with the treatment; if it is decided that you have more complicated or severe alignment issues or dental protrusions, your dentist may suggest you undertake a different type of treatment, typically traditional orthodontic brace procedures.
Invisalign cannot correct common issues like over- or underbites, so it is not suitable for treatment for people with these conditions.