Digital & Invisible Orthodontics (Clear Aligners)

The term “clear aligners” describes the revolutionary types of braces which do not use the traditional wires and brackets approach, but instead use clear plastic trays designed to gently straighten your teeth here in Anglesey.

Popular types of clear aligners include Invisalign, ClearSmile, ClearCorrect, ClearPath, Ormco and Eon and all work using a similar principle.

These types of braces are increasing popular as they allow you to have your teeth straightened but avoid the “metal mouth” train-track smile associated with traditional braces.

What are “invisible” braces?

This term refers to a technique whereby misaligned or crooked teeth are straightened using a series of clinical grade, transparent plastic trays. The trays are custom made on an individual basis and replaced every 2 or 3 weeks as the straightening process progresses.

One of the most popular brands is Invisalign, although there are number of alternatives available which are just as effective and potentially more cost-effective too.

Although this class of braces isn’t completely invisible, their construction from clear plastic does make them very difficult to detect when being worn.

Why are they popular?

There are a number of advantages which come with clear aligners; however they are not suitable for all cases. The key benefits are:

Clear construction – no wires and brackets and hence very discreet to wear
Can be easily removed when eating meals, for cleaning or for an important event
Generally quite comfortable once you have become accustomed to wearing them
Easy to keep the aligners clean

What types of cases can clear aligners be used to treat?

This type of brace can typically be used to treat mild to moderate cases of tooth misalignment including the following:

Crooked teeth
Gaps (diastema)
Underbite

Crossbite
Overbite
Open bite

Whilst clear aligners are very versatile, they are typically not suitable for more complex cases where more comprehensive orthodontic techniques will be required.

The treatment process with clear aligners

As with any significant dental treatment, you will first be asked to attend a consultation to ensure that this type of treatment is suitable for your particular needs. Following the consultation, you should be provided with a clear treatment plan, pricing and an indication of the time the treatment should take.

If you decide to proceed with the treatment you will be invited back to your dentist or orthodontist to have scans or a mould made of your teeth and jaw in their existing condition. Increasingly, the traditional moulds are being replaced by digital scans or the latest imaging technology.

The latest software may also be available to allow you to see the “before and after” images of your teeth – so you will have an excellent idea of how your new smile will look once treatment is completed.

The dentist will then send your details to a laboratory where your aligners will be produced, ready to start wearing. These will be custom fitted to ensure that just the right pressure is applied to your teeth to complete the re-alignment process. You will need to switch your aligners every couple of weeks as advised by your dentist but you won’t need to go back to the practice as regularly. However, periodic checks will be required to make sure all is progressing as expected.

Treatment normally takes anything from 8 months to 18 months but typically around a year to complete. Your dentist will also provide full information to help you maintain good oral hygiene whilst you are wearing your aligners.

Retainers

As with all brace treatments, when complete, you will need to wear a retainer to ensure that your teeth do not move back to their original crooked position. You will typically wear these at night but you may also need to wear them occasionally during the day – your dentist will advise exactly what you need to do to maintain you beautiful, new, straight smile!
If you are interested in the latest clear aligners to straighten crooked and misaligned teeth, please get in touch with our team on 01407 741 730 or by using the website contact form.

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