The lowdown on Invisalign in Leybourne

Seems that every high street dentist is now offering Invisalign. In Leybourne it’s no different. Technological innovations such as the clear, removable braces that make up the Invisalign system have made cosmetic dentistry more affordable. This, coupled with a growing urge to look our best at all times (never know when a surprise selfie will happen), make getting teeth straightened as adults more desirable and more possible. Dental surgeries offering Invisalign in Leybourne include multi-faceted practices such as One Smile Oral Care. Because it only deals with mild to moderate misalignments of the teeth, and because so much of the work is planned and created using 3D digital technology, Invisalign can be fitted by both a braces dentist and a general clinician.

What is Invisalign?

It is a tooth-straightening system that is made up of pairs of clear aligners. These aren’t like any other braces out there. There are no brackets or wires, no conspicuous metal train tracks to embarrass the wearer. The aligners are like thin mouth guards that fit neatly over the teeth. Once they are in place they are hard to spot. Only a close friend would be able to see there was anything different. They are also removable, which removes any headaches about getting food caught in wires and spending precious time each day clearing out the remains of meals from a brace. The wearer simply takes out the aligners if they are eating or drinking anything other than plain water. This ensures that they remain transparent and don’t get stained by food pigment.

How do they work?

Unlike bracket and wire braces, Invisalign nudges the teeth into position, rather than pulling them into place. Carefully calculated pressure points inside the aligners move teeth towards their desired end point. Each set is worn for 7-10 days. When they are first worn, they feel a little tight. This is good and shows that the aligners are doing their work. Once this feeling of pressure has worn off, it means it’s time to change that set for the next in the series. Once treatment is complete, after around 12-18 months, the patient will need to wear a retainer to keep their teeth in their new position.