Do you wish you had a perfect smile with straight, white teeth? If you have never considered straightening your teeth because you don’t want to wear metal braces, you’re not alone! It is no surprise that clear braces have become so popular. Not only are they discreet and comfortable, but they can also give you straighter teeth in as little as three months.
What Are Clear Braces?
Invisible or clear braces are 3D printed plastic aligners that fit tightly over your teeth. They apply constant pressure to gently move teeth until they are straight. The three leading companies that produce plastic aligners are Invisalign, ClearCorrect and Smile Direct.
Why Choose Invisalign?
From photos and videos, Invisalign, ClearCorrect and Smile Direct all seem to make similar plastic aligners, using the same 3D printing technology. So why do more dentists use Invisalign than the other options available?
Invisalign was the first company to produce plastic aligners. Since then, various other companies have started to make plastic aligners. Invisalign’s two main competitors are ClearCorrect and Smile Direct. While each of these companies uses medical-grade plastic, this does not mean they are the same. Here are just a few reasons is why Invisalign is still the most popular option offered by dentists:
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- Support and Education. Invisalign’s Program Approval For Continuing Education (PACE) is approved by the Academy of General Dentistry.
- Quality. Invisalign is made out of a patented SmartTrack® medical plastic that is thicker and less likely to crack.
- Faster results. Invisalign plastic is stronger and straightens teeth faster and more effectively.
- Longest history. Invisalign was the first company to receive FDA approval.
- Most successful. Invisalign is used by more dentists worldwide than any other type of plastic aligner.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign braces are custom made using 3D imaging and printing technology to create a series of plastic aligners from your bite impressions. The number of aligners you need will vary between 12 and 48, depending on how crooked your teeth are. You wear each set for around two weeks until you have worn all of the aligners in the series.
When you complete your treatment, you will need to wear retainers every night for six months. The retainers are similar to the aligners and prevent your teeth from moving out of alignment. After six months, you will need to continue to wear them a few nights a week to maintain your straight teeth for life.
How Long Does Invisalign Take To Straighten Teeth?
The time it takes to straighten teeth with Invisalign will depend on how crooked your teeth are. Many people will see a change in their teeth after three months of continuous wear and on average it takes 12 to 18 months to complete Invisalign treatment.
To straighten teeth, constant pressure needs to be applied to make them move into a different position. The less you wear your aligners, the longer the treatment will take. If you take them out for hours at a time or don’t sleep in them at night, Invisalign treatment may not be effective.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost will depend on how many aligners you need and the complexity of the problem. Invisalign costs generally start at about £1500 and go up to around £5500.
Invisalign Best Practices
- Only remove them to eat or brush your teeth
- Sleep in them every night
- Wear them every day
- Change aligners as scheduled
- Visit your dentist every six weeks.
Takeaway
When looking for a dentist, always check the dentist is registered on the General Dental Council (GDC) website and that the clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
1 comment
From photos and videos, Invisalign, ClearCorrect and Smile Direct all seem to make similar plastic aligners, using the same 3D printing technology. So why do more dentists use Invisalign than the other options available?