Self conscious about your smile? Find out if Invisalign could work for you?
‘You’re never fully dressed without a smile!’ In many ways, the 1982 song from the musical Annie still rings true today. A smile can lift your mood and the mood of others around you, but if you’re lacking confidence in your smile, you might be reluctant to show it.
But if the thought of traditional metal braces sends a shiver down your spine, fear not. There are now discreet and time-efficient alternatives to improve your smile — one of the most popular being Invisalign.
What is Invisalign and who is eligible?
Invisalign involves the use of clear tray aligners, made from medical grade plastic, to correct a range of orthodontic issues. And contrary to popular belief, it’s suitable for all ages, as Maven Dental’s Lead Dentist at Natural Dentistry, Dr Sam Guirguis, explains.
“Just about everyone is eligible for Invisalign,” Dr Sam said. “There’s a big misconception that you can move your teeth when you’re a teenager, but not when you’re older.
“Invisalign has a range of appliances for different ages – for kids with baby teeth, adults, all the way through to age 80+. Our oldest patients are in their late 70s to early 80s. There’s a big gamut of people that are eligible.”
Invisalign is designed to move teeth, through small but frequent movements. And it can be used to treat a variety of dental issues.
“You can use Invisalign to improve your smile, change your bite, protect your teeth, as well as to treat head and neck pain … It’s not purely a cosmetic thing,” Dr Sam said.
Invisalign process – what’s involved
After an initial consultation, a 3D scan of the mouth is taken, acting like a digital mould that will determine the shape of the aligners.
It takes three weeks for the aligners to be made, and once they arrive, they can be fitted in about 30 minutes. Easy!
“The aligners are like mouth guards. We place what we call attachments or little bumps on the teeth, which help keep the aligner in place and direct forces in a different way,” Dr Sam said.
“We usually get the patient back in two weeks later to check on everything, and after that, visits are usually 12 weeks apart.
“Once you get started, the time commitment to come into the practice is not that heavy.”
The aligners need to be changed every two weeks, approximately, and this can be done at home using instructions provided.
For Invisalign to be successful, patients must wear the aligner for the recommended 20-22 hours daily, removing only when needed, for eating, brushing etc.
Dr Sam says Invisalign typically takes nine to 14 months. When the treatment is 80-90% complete, scans will be taken once again to modify the aligners for the final two or three months.
To maintain the result, a thin retainer must be worn at night time for the first couple of years.
Invisalign vs traditional braces
While aesthetics play a large part in Invisalign’s popularity over braces, there are other benefits, as Dr Sam explains.
“The advantage of Invisalign is that you’re getting smaller movements, more often, which means it’s a much more efficient way of moving teeth. 10-12 months of Invisalign usually equates to about 18 months of braces,” he said.
“The forces are lighter than they are with braces, so there’s less pressure and tenderness; you can fit it into your lifestyle pretty easily; and you don’t need to come into the practice often, which is a big factor for a lot of adults.”
Invisalign typically costs between $5500 – $8500, Dr Sam explained, with longer, more complex treatments coming in at the higher end.
Maven Dental has partnered with humm to make your perfect smile possible. You can secure your treatment now and pay later with regular, interest-free instalments.
To find out if Invisalign is right for you, book an appointment with Maven Dental online.
Australia ▼
Canada
Ireland
UK