What is Invisalign?

Your Invisalign treatment consists of a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks for the next set of aligners. Each aligner is individually manufactured for your teeth, and your teeth only. As you replace each aligner, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position prescribed by your dental practitioner.

What’s more, a virtual 3D treatment plan (ClinCheck^© treatment plan) shows the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of the treatment. This allows you to see upfront what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of the treatment. From the results of the ClinCheck treatment plan, your custom-made, clear aligners are produced especially for you.

If you're ready for a smile that transforms your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Although there are many choices out there, no other treatment works as comfortably as Invisalign.

Invisalign is the best way to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life. Check out the benefits below:

• Customised - Your dental practitioner will take impressions of your teeth from which Align Technology produces your personal custom - made aligners.
• Effective - Even before your Invisalign treatment is finished, you’ll begin enjoying the benefits of a better smile. Teeth alignment will start right from the beginning.
• Comfortable - Invisalign is comfortable as there are no metal brackets or wires to irritate your gums or the inside of the mouth.
• Clear - Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible so hardly anyone will notice you’re straightening your teeth.
• Removable - Invisalign aligners can be removed to eat, drink, brush and floss or for special occasions.

How does it work?

Individually designed for your needs

So you’ve decided Invisalign is for you, but what happens next? Simply visit an Ryedale Dental Healthcare Clinic for a consultation to discuss your smile.

Once your dental practitioner determines that Invisalign is right for your needs, she will develop a detailed treatment plan from which your bespoke, virtually invisible aligners will be made to order.

Take a look at the simple steps you and your dentist or orthodontist will take together on the journey towards your brand-new smile.

1. Initial consultation

During the initial consultation, your dental practitioner will discuss the issues you have with your teeth and explore what kind of results you’re hoping to achieve. If Invisalign is suitable for you, a treatment plan will be mapped out with your goals in mind. Your dental practitioner will take impressions of your teeth and will send these to the Invisalign laboratories for processing.

2. Treatment plan

The impressions of your teeth will be digitized in order for your doctor to work with a computerized 3D image of your teeth. Then, your doctor will plan your tooth movements throughout your entire treatment timeline. You'll be able to see a virtual representation of your teeth before, during, and after completion of the Invisalign process so you can see what your smile should look like when you're done with treatment.

3. Bespoke aligners

Once you and your dental practitioner have agreed to the treatment plan, bespoke aligners are then custom-made for you and have to be worn for approximately two weeks before you switch to the next aligner in the series. While the number of aligners varies for each individual, a full treatment typically includes 18-36 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth which will take approximately 9-18 months depending on your individual case.

4. Treatment process

Aligners should be worn day and night, except when eating, brushing or flossing teeth in order to complete your treatment in the timeline determined by you and your dental practitioner. You'll go in for checkups every 4-6 weeks to monitor your progress and to receive your next series of aligners. During the entire treatment process, you'll notice gradual movement and your teeth will, gradually move into an even and healthy smile.

5. Vivera retainers

After you have completed your treatment, don’t forget to protect your new smile with Vivera retainers.

Vivera retainers will retain your teeth in their new position so you can enjoy a long lasting smile.

Treatment Comparison

The clear market leader

When it comes to considering your options for a smile makeover, it's easy to see Invisalign’s clear advantages which provide another reason to smile. Compare Invisalign to other teeth straightening options below.

Will it work for me?

A confident smile and increased self-esteem aren't the only benefits of correcting your smile with Invisalign — your oral health can be positively enhanced as well. Learn more about several common issues below that an experienced Invisalign-trained dental practitioner can work with you to correct.

	Overcrowded teeth occur when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can cause an increased chance of gum disease as your teeth are harder to clean and can prevent the normal function of teeth.
	Widely spaced teeth occur when you have extra space within your jaw. This could be due to small sized teeth, abnormal growth of jaw bones, genetics, missing teeth and/or tongue protrusion. When teeth are missing, this can also be caused by the other teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues can cause some perio-dontal diseases including gingivitis and periodontitis, that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
	Crossbites occur when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It usually causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease and bone loss.
	Overbites occur when the upper teeth overlap significantly with the lower teeth. It's typically caused by either genetics, bad oral habits, or over development of the bone that supports the teeth. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.
	Underbites occur when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth, usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.

Will it fit my life?

The Invisalign treatment can slot simply and easily into your daily routine, without any fuss or embarrassment. There are no metal wires or brackets, so no need to worry about mouth irritations, as the aligners are comfortable to wear and can be easily removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing as normal.

If it weren't for the remarkable way Invisalign transforms smiles, you'd hardly even notice you’re having treatment. As the Invisalign aligners are transparent and difficult to detect when worn, they allow you to straighten your teeth without feeling self-conscious - and should you have an important meeting or event coming up that’s causing concern, you can always remove the aligners for that short space of time.

Health Benefits

Smile healthy

It’s easy to see that a straight, even smile of glossy pearly whites look great. But a cosmetically perfect smile often means it’s also a healthy smile. So put yourself in a healthy state of mind, and take a look at the additional benefits of a properly aligned smile.

	Healthier gums Signs of periodontal disease, such as swollen gums and redness, can surface due to teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Clinical studies have shown that when teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit tighter around the teeth¹, which can lead to better gum health. Since Invisalign’s greatest advantage is its ability to effectively straighten teeth, your gum health may improve after Invisalign treatment. And since you can brush and floss normally with Invisalign, unlike with traditional braces, you can more easily prevent tooth decay and related gum disease.
	Better oral health One of Invisalign’s best qualities is that it uses no metal bands, brackets, or wires that may trap food and plaque like traditional braces. And since the removable nature of Invisalign allows you to maintain good oral hygiene, you may also reduce chances of plaque build-up, tooth decay, and gum disease.
	Improved chewing and speech When you leave incorrectly positioned teeth and jaws untreated, it can lead to speech difficulties and uncomfortable chewing issues. Invisalign treatment can improve both of these problems by providing better-aligned teeth and jaws.
	Maintain comfort and tooth structure Misaligned teeth and jaws can result in abnormal stress. This can cause painful trauma to supporting bone and jaw joints. These issues can also cause abnormal wear on your teeth, which can trigger continued problems in the future. Invisalign treatment can improve the alignment of your teeth and improve your bite.

Treatment Process

	Your custom-made smile program Once your dentist or orthodontist confirms that your issue can be corrected with the Invisalign system, he or she will prescribe a detailed treatment plan that determines how each of your aligners will change throughout your program. When you begin treatment, you'll wear each set of custom-made aligners in approximately two-week increments. The aligners gently move your teeth into position, and at the end of each two-week period, you "graduate" to the next set of custom-made aligners.
	Step by step to a great smile As you progress through the series of aligners, which you only remove to eat, drink, brush and floss, or for special occasions, your teeth will begin moving, little by little. And you don't have to wait until you complete treatment to see your smile change—you may start seeing positive changes early in the process. You will have occasional checkups with your dental practitioner — often as little as once every six weeks—in order to gauge your progress. And at the end of your treatment, you'll be showing off a smile you never knew you'd have before you had Invisalign.
	Your lifestyle. Your schedule. So how long will it take to finish your treatment? For most adults, treatment time is just under one year. Of course, your total treatment time depends on your particular situation, so it's important to speak with your dental practitioner about how your situation and goals fit into an Invisalign treatment program. You're in control of your treatment's success, the more you wear your aligners, the better. And you're on your way to the smile you've always dreamed of! You’ve taken the first step towards your new smile by logging onto our site. Now take the next step towards your dream smile and book a consultation with us today!

Invisalign for Teenagers

Invisalign offers a range of treatment options for teenagers.

The great benefit of Invisalign is that it provides an aesthetic, more flexible way to give teenagers the confidence of a great smile. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are comfortable, removable and nearly invisible, which means teenagers can carry on enjoying life without the restrictions, irritation and self-consciousness associated with metal brackets and wires.

Invisalign aligners are also removable, so teenagers can continue brushing and flossing normally. This can lead to better overall dental health in the future.

What options are available to teenagers?

Invisalign has several treatment options available for teenagers, depending on the stage of teeth development.

Some teenagers will be suitable for the same Invisalign treatment as adult patients. Younger teenagers, or those who haven’t got all of their adult teeth erupted can be treated with Invisalign Teen – a treatment designed specifically for teenagers. Your dental practitioner will determine which treatment best suits your individual needs and the condition of your teeth.

Why Invisalign Teen?

Invisalign Teen has been developed with teenagers, parents and leading orthodontists who understand the active lifestyles and unique treatment needs of teenage patients.

The Invisalign Teen aligners are made with the same Invisalign technology used for Invisalign aligners, moving teeth gradually without the need for metal or wires.

But because teens (and their mouths) are constantly on the move, we’ve added a few special features:

• Blue wear-indicators fade from blue to clear to help your dental practitioner, you, and your teenager to gauge wear time.
• Special features designed to compensate for the eruption of canines, second premolars and second molars.
• Six free individual replacement aligners are included in case any get lost or misplaced.

To find out more about Invisalign for teenagers, please talk to your dental practitioner who’ll be able to suggest the best treatment option for you.

Invisalign in action - How it works