Since 1999, a dazzling three million of the world’s most radiant smiles have come courtesy of a truly discreet teeth-straightening system. Something of a revolution in orthodontic terms, Invisalign clear aligners have turned goofy, gappy, tight-lipped smiles into open-mouthed displays of delight – and transformed lives in the process.
That the Invisalign system treats a range of orthodontic cases is all the more remarkable when you consider these aligners are virtually invisible. There are no visible brackets or wires, in fact, because these aligners are so discreet they have become an ideal choice for adults who want to achieve the beautiful, straight smile of their dreams – with hardly anyone knowing they are having treatment. Instead Invisalign patients exude a secret inner-confidence that spontaneous outbreaks of laughter won’t give away.
To create a complex treatment system which is virtually invisible takes technological sophistication and the Invisalign system has evolved over 15 years during which time huge advances, in both the design of the aligners themselves and the digital devices used to plan each case, have been achieved.
Mikala French, 30, before and after her Invisalign treatment
Pioneering research into the biomechanics of moving teeth and new materials to achieve this have meant that Invisalign aligners have been engineered to help treat an increasingly wide range of complex tooth misalignments. The clear, custom-made aligners are manufactured from medical-grade plastic with none of the highly visible brackets and wires associated with traditional braces. As well as remaining virtually invisible, their biocompatibility makes them an excellent alternative for patients allergic to metal.
Also behind Invisalign’s remarkable success story is sophisticated 3D ClinCheck® software, a treatment planning tool which visualises each patient’s treatment stage by stage. This allows your dentist to review and approve your treatment journey while you’ll be able to see the 3D progression of your Invisalign treatment and the series of movements your teeth are predicted to take. So you’ll know what to expect from each set of aligners.
In addition, many Invisalign providers are also using the latest intra-oral scanner to take digital impressions and create an on-screen simulation of what your teeth could look like post-treatment.
So what can you expect during treatment? With Invisalign, straightening is safe and gentle. Your teeth will move at a gradual speed of 0.25mm every two weeks, when you will be fitted with a new pair of aligners. As you progress through the series of aligners, your teeth will begin moving, little by little, towards the projected final position.
Invisalign is no “fast fix” and a typical case takes on average 18-24 months. Yet for those needing minor tooth correction, such as slight overcrowding or that “sticky-out” tooth that has become irksome, Invisalign i7 could be an ideal, discreet solution which could provide results in as little as three-and-a-half months. Perhaps you’ve undergone traditional straightening in the past and your teeth have begun to shift again or maybe you want to ensure that the smile in your wedding pictures really does come from the heart.
Not only are Invisalign aligners comfortable to wear, they’re designed to fit in with your lifestyle. Typically worn for 20 to 22 hours daily, the aligners can be removed for short periods during meals and most importantly for cleaning so you can continue to maintain your oral hygiene routine as normal.
With Invisalign, you can continue to work, play sports and even play a wind instrument as you would normally. The Invisalign system is the orthodontic treatment that’s so comfortable and discreet hardly anyone will know you’re wearing it, making it ideal for those who want to keep their treatment private.
I use every opportunity to show off my beautiful straight teeth – my smile has completely changed me as a person
Olympic cyclists Laura Trott, 23, and her fiancé Jason Kenny, 27, are both delighted with their Invisalign treatments. “Being in the public eye, I wanted to be able to smile with more confidence. But I also wanted something that didn’t affect my mouth when training and competing,” says Laura. She still remembers the chaffing and discomfort of the metal braces she wore as a child. Now on her sixth set of Invisalign aligners, she’s impressed.
“At first I was conscious of the aligner in my mouth and felt I was lisping. By the time I was on my second set of aligners two weeks later, I couldn’t feel them at all. Now I’m so used to wearing them, my speech is perfect. In fact I don’t give them a second thought,” she says.
Kirsty Roberts-Milman, 27, feels transformed after nine months with Invisalign
Celebrity status is by no means the prerequisite to craving that perfect smile. For years, her “mouthful of crooked teeth” meant Kirsty Roberts-Milman, 27, would only smile with her lips together. “Invisalign is the best investment I’ve made in myself,” she says. “Replacing deep insecurity, I now have the confidence to be me. I use every opportunity to show off my beautiful straight teeth – my smile has completely changed me as a person.”
While Mikala French, 30, explains: “Before my treatment I was nervous about my smile and hated many photographs of myself because I felt my teeth looked terrible. I didn’t enjoy romantic meals with my new boyfriend because I was sure he would think my teeth looked awful when I spoke and I became constantly worried about the way my teeth looked.
“However, after nine months with Invisalign I feel transformed. Treatment was simple, nobody knew I had the aligners because they were clear; it did not affect my life and there was minimal discomfort. Having nice straight teeth is priceless for me. I am no longer nervous, my smile is confident and I would recommend Invisalign to everyone.”
For more information about Invisalign and to find an Invisalign provider in your area, visit www.invisalign.co.uk
