Dentist Gulshan Dhanoya: transforming your smile with Invisalign

By Dentist Gulshan Dhanoya

What is Invisalign?

Typically, braces have been associated with teenage years, ‘metal mouth’ and that unattractive stage of life in secondary school. Well, not any more. Orthodontic braces have become much more accepted amongst both teenagers and adults in the UK. More and more adults are starting to enquire about ‘invisible braces’, with an increased demand for aesthetic dentistry. Invisalign is an increasingly popular treatment for patients looking for a discrete, comfortable way to straighten their teeth.

Invisalign is a system made to straighten teeth using clear, plastic aligners, which are custom-made to fit your teeth. These clear plastic aligners snap into place over your teeth, gripping onto tiny white ‘attachments’ made of white filling materials which are placed on the front surface of some of your teeth. These plastic aligners are changed every one-two weeks, gradually moving your teeth into position.

As the aligners are clear, they are almost invisible when worn, which appeals to many of our adult patients, especially if they have client-facing jobs, or if they would be self-conscious about wearing traditional metal braces.

How long does the treatment take?

Invisalign has different treatment options, depending on the degree of alignment required.

Invisalign Lite is a treatment of 14 aligners and can achieve minor movements in a short space of time.

Invisalign Full is a treatment plan with an unlimited number of aligners, meaning more severe crowding can be treated.

Typically, Invisalign treatment can range from 6-12 months.

Can I remove my Invisalign aligners?

Unlike traditional fixed braces, Invisalign braces are removable. It is recommended that aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day, and should only be removed for eating and drinking.

Patients who don’t wear their aligners won’t see their teeth move!