What is Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign treatment uses a series of near invisible, custom-made aligners (often referred to as retainers) that gradually straighten your teeth without using traditional metal wires or brackets. The clear aligners are removable, so you can take them out when you need to eat or brush your teeth. You’ll need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours of the day for treatment to be successful.
What’s the process for having Invisalign?
You’ll need to attend a consultation to discuss Invisalign and the alternative options. Your orthodontist will assess your mouth and let you know whether you’re suitable for Invisalign or what the other options are.
If you’re suitable and would like to go ahead with treatment, your orthodontist will write you a treatment plan which you’ll need to sign. Then your custom-made aligners will be created for you using 3D imaging technology.
Once your aligners have been made, your orthodontist will talk you through how to make your treatment a success. You’ll need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day for them to work properly. You can take them out to eat, drink and brush your teeth.
You’ll see your orthodontist every few weeks to change your aligners and check in on your treatment progress. The number of aligner sets required for your treatment depends on your individual needs. Once you’ve worn all your aligners, you’ll be given a retainer to help keep your teeth straight following treatment.
What are the pros and cons of Invisalign treatment?
Having orthodontic treatment is a big decision, you need to make sure that the Invisalign system is right for you. Some of the pros and cons of treatment are:
Pros
- It’s barely noticeable that you’re having your teeth straightened
- Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out to eat, drink and brush your teeth
- The Invisalign system is less painful than traditional metal braces1
- There are different types of Invisalign treatment, including Invisalign Teen (specifically for teenagers) and Invisalign Lite, for mild cosmetic cases
Cons
- Can be more expensive than other types of orthodontic treatment
- If you have severe orthodontic needs, Invisalign treatment might not be suitable and your orthodontist may recommend you have fixed braces instead
Does Invisalign treatment hurt?
Invisalign clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces1. Your teeth may ache or feel tender for the first few days of treatment and when you have your aligners changed, due to the pressure on your teeth. This is completely normal and any discomfort should wear off quickly.
How much is Invisalign treatment?
The cost of Invisalign treatment completely depends on your individual needs. Everyone’s teeth straightening needs are different, so your journey will be unique to you. Speak to your local practice about payment options.
The first step is to book a free* consultation at your local Total Orthodontics practice and we’ll talk you through all the costs involved.
Did you know?
Over 10 million people have straightened their smile with Invisalign aligners.
How long does Invisalign treatment take?
How long Invisalign treatment takes to straighten your teeth depends completely on your individual needs. Cosmetic cases could be complete in as little as six months2, but the average treatment time is between 12 and 18 months.
Once you’ve had an assessment with an orthodontist, they’ll be able to give you a more detailed estimate of treatment time.
What to expect
At your consultation, we will chat through your options and suitability for different teeth straightening treatments.
*Terms and conditions:
1. Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2. Children under 18 can be referred for a free NHS assessment, subject to availability of appointments. Private consultations for children are excluded from this offer and will be charged at our standard rate but the charge will be refunded to you in full if the child commences private treatment following the consultation.
3. Consultations subject to availability.
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Find out more
Types of braces
Find out more about the types of braces available at Total Orthodontics, from fixed braces to more discreet options.
Before and afters
Read and watch stories from patients who have had their teeth straightened at Total Orthodontics.
Cost of braces
Find out more about how much braces might cost and speak to your local practice about payment options.
1. Study sponsored by Align Technology and based on adult Class I, nonextraction, mild to moderate crowding cases with SmartTrack material. *David W. White, Katie C. Julien, Helder Jacob, Phillip M. Campbell and Peter H. Buschang, Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial. The Angle Orthodontist Nov 2017, Vol. 87, No. 6 pp. 801-808
2. Invisalign Go and Lite only. Treatment times vary with Invisalign Go and Invisalign Lite depending on individual patient needs.
3. https://www.invisalign.com/frequently-asked-questions
Our orthodontists
*Terms and conditions:
1.Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2.Children under 18 can be referred for a free NHS assessment, subject to availability of appointments. Private consultations for children are excluded from this offer and will be charged at our standard rate but the charge will be refunded to you in full if the child commences private treatment following the consultation.
3. Consultations subject to availability.
Total Orthodontics and Bupa Dental Care are trading names of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
