If you have done any sort of research into teeth straightening treatments you will probably have come across invisible aligners and in particular the popular system Invisalign. No doubt what attracted you to this treatment was the fact that the aligners are virtually invisible and thus you could have the teeth straightening treatment you have always wanted without anyone really having to know.
Whilst we would love everyone who desired them to be treated with clear aligners, the simple fact is that Invisalign isn’t for everyone. There’s a lot more to getting straighter teeth than how visible the braces are and some orthodontic issues cannot be treated using this type of appliance.
The only way to know for sure if invisible aligners are right for you is to consult your dental professional and Invisalign provider. But in the meantime if you want to prepare yourself, here are some helpful questions to ask.
What are the issues with your teeth?
This is a great starting point, because as amazing as invisible aligners are, they are not very good at fixing severe orthodontic issues. For example, if you have a severe overbite then you would need to consider other options to realign the jaw. The good news is that if the problems with your teeth are minor to moderate, then clear aligners such as Invisalign may be a good fit for you.
Examples of issues that clear aligners can help fix are gaps, crowding, underbite or overbite.
How old are you?
Whilst teeth straightening treatments are available to both adults and children, there are certain treatments, such as Invisalign clear aligners that are more suitable for older teenagers and adults. This is because, when treating children we need to take into account the fact that their teeth are still growing, so other treatments might be more appropriate.
How dedicated are you to straightening your smile?
It isn’t just your dentist or orthodontist who will be doing the hard work to straighten your smile. You will also need to take care to ensure you wear your braces and retainers and make any necessary dietary changes as advised, otherwise your treatment might not be as effective as you had hoped.
Possibly the greatest thing about invisible aligners is that you can remove them to eat, drink and brush your teeth. This is great as it means you generally don’t have to make huge changes to your diet whilst having your teeth straightened, but it can also mean you forget to put your aligners back in. Effective results will only be achieved if you stick strictly to your treatment plan, so you need to ask yourself how dedicated you are to straightening your smile and whether fixed braces might be better if you think you would forget to replace your aligners.
Have you made an enquiry about invisible aligners at Riverside Dental Spa?
We are currently offering in person or virtual consultations for patients looking to have their teeth straightened. Even if you don’t feel comfortable coming into our practice at the moment we can schedule a virtual appointment with you to look at your smile via a video call and talk you through the options. This is a great opportunity to find out whether invisible aligners are right for you.
To start the conversation about your smile, please call 020 7091 0677 or email reception@riversidedentalspa.com
