INVISALIGN

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign™ – Invisible braces

The new Invisalign™ system straightens your teeth with custom-made clear aligners. They are comfortable, practically invisible and there no implants or uncomfortable, unsightly braces.

Your Invisalign treatment consists of a series of nearly invisible, removable aligners that you change every two weeks for the next set of aligners. Each aligner is individually manufactured for your teeth, and your teeth only. As you replace each aligner, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position prescribed by your dental provider.

What's more, a virtual treatment plan generated by Invisalign technology software shows the series of movements your teeth will go through over the course of the treatment. This allows you to see upfront what your teeth are expected to look like at the end of the treatment. From the results of the Invisalign software, your custom-made, clear aligners are produced especially for you.

Invisalign is one of the best ways to transform your smile without interfering with your day-to-day life.

                                                    Treatment comparison

When it comes to considering your options for a smile makeover, it's easy to see Invisalign's clear advantages, which provide another reason to smile. Compare Invisalign to other teeth straightening options below.

	Invisalign	Fixed Braces
How does it work?	Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth  without wires or brackets	Fixed braces use wires and brackets to move your teeth into straighter alignment
Nearly invisable		No. Most fixed braces are  noticeable
Removable during  treatment		No. You cannot remove  fixed braces until treatment is completed
Treatment doesn't  involve metal that can  irritate teeth and gums		No. The metal wires and  brackets used can cause  mouth irritation
Allows you to brush and  floss normally during  treatment		No. Fixed metal braces  hinder the ability to reach  the entire tooth/gum area  when flossing
Provides a clear,  defined and virtual  treatment plan from the  start to the completion of  treatment		Although your dental  provider has a clear  defined treatment plan,  you will not be able to see  what your teeth may look  like during and after  treatment

What about veneers?

Veneers can be used in conjunction with Invisalign to improve the shape or colour of your teeth. Should you have a chipped or irregular tooth, veneers can be used to finalise your treatment and smile after your teeth have been straightened with Invisalign.

While veneers offer many advantages in combination with Invisalign, veneers as a standalone option to address a cosmetic issue can have distinct disadvantages that should be considered very carefully before agreeing to treatment.

With veneers, the front surface of the tooth enamel is permanently removed and replaced with a thin piece of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic glued over the front of the teeth. This is an irreversible procedure as natural tooth enamel is partially or completely removed to accommodate the veneer. When using veneers as a dental straightening solution only, more tooth enamel than necessary may need to be removed. If used in combination with Invisalign, the amount of enamel that needs to be removed may be minimised.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, as veneers are a purely cosmetic procedure, they don't correct the position of your teeth or correct bite problems. Instead of straightening teeth as Invisalign does, a veneer simply covers up the imperfections. Invisalign offers you naturally beautiful, healthy teeth. It's a solution worth smiling about!

What are aligners made of and what do they look like?

The virtually invisible aligners are made of strong, medical grade thermoplastic material, uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan. The aligners are custom-made for you and fit snugly over your teeth.