If you think you could benefit from straighter teeth, but you don’t like the idea of traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners could be a solution. These clear, removable aligners function in a similar way to braces to shift teeth into their desired position and alignment, but without some of the drawbacks that can make braces off-putting.
If you’re interested in Invisalign treatment, read this overview to find out more and book a complimentary consultation with our Gold Coast dentists to start your smile journey today.
1. Virtually invisible aligners
As their name suggests, Invisalign aligners are considered to be virtually invisible in the mouth, except on very close inspection. Made from a special transparent plastic and custom-made to fit perfectly over your teeth, the aligners won’t affect your appearance or speech like braces can.
This can make Invisalign appealing for adults and older teens who want straighter teeth, but don’t want their treatment to be noticeable to others in social, professional or academic settings. Unlike braces, the aligners can also be removed for short periods if strictly necessary, as long as you wear them for the recommended minimum of 22 hours per day.
2. More comfortable than braces
Another advantage Invisalign has over conventional braces is that many people find them more comfortable and easier to wear day to day over the course of the treatment.
All orthodontic treatment involves some degree of discomfort, as braces and aligners apply minor pressure to the teeth in similar ways to guide their movement, but Invisalign aligners are made from SmartTrack™ material that’s designed to apply gentle, constant force. They also won’t irritate or injure the lips or other soft tissues of the mouth like braces sometimes can.
3. Removable when eating
Unlike braces, which are fixed in the place for the entire course of your treatment and can only be removed by a dentist, Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out when you need to eat or drink and replace them after. This means you won’t have to avoid certain foods – such as the very hard, crunchy or sticky foods that can damage or get stuck in braces – and they’ll have less impact on your lifestyle, diet and nutrition.
Not exposing your aligners to food and drink also helps to keep them clean and hygienic. It’s important to put the aligners back in soon after rinsing your mouth so your treatment won’t be interrupted.
4. Lower oral hygiene risks
Another benefit of removable aligners is they make it easier to brush and floss your teeth, without having to take extra time and care to brush around brace brackets, wires and bands. The aligners can simply be removed, allowing you to clean all teeth surfaces as normal and not have to worry about food or bacteria building up in the appliance and creating odours.
As well as being more convenient, this could also lower your risk of developing oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease that could affect your treatment outcome. It's also important to keep up with your routine dental visits for check-ups and professional oral hygiene care during your Invisalign treatment.
5. Treat a wide range of issues
Invisalign can treat common and more complex orthodontic issues, depending on the skill of the dentist providing and supervising the treatment. It can help to correct bite problems such as overbite, underbite crossbite and open bite, as well as problems like crowding, gapped teeth and minor cosmetic concerns.
If you have a particularly complex case, such as teeth that are twisted or rotated, your dentist may decide that you need the extra force of braces. Alternatives to metal braces can include teeth-coloured ceramic braces with clear bands and lingual braces fitted out of sight behind the teeth.
Book a consultation with our experienced dentists by calling 07 5575 9100 to find out whether Invisalign may be an option for you.
6. Suitable for adults and teens
Invisalign was originally developed as an alternative to braces for adult orthodontics, but it can also be an option for some teenagers who want to avoid braces. Invisalign Teen works the same as standard Invisalign, but it features coloured wear indicators to show whether the aligners have been worn for the required amount of time daily.
Removable aligners require more compliance on the part of the patients than fixed braces, so Invisalign may not be suitable if you or your child are likely to forget or avoid wearing your aligners for 22 hours or more per day.
7. Personalised treatment plan
Invisalign uses custom aligners that are manufactured based on 3D digital scans of your teeth, avoiding the need for messy and imprecise physical moulds. Using Invisalign's ClinCheck® treatment planning software, your dentist will be able to design a whole series of aligners, each set slightly different to the last, which should be worn in sequence to realign your teeth and achieve your smile goals.
While results may vary, Invisalign offers predictable outcomes, so long as your treatment is provided by a qualified and experienced professional, you wear your aligners for the required amount of time each day and there aren't any unexpected interruptions along the way.
8. Preview your smile
When your dentist creates your personal Invisalign treatment plan, they'll also be able to show you a reliable simulation of what your new smile should look like, based on data from 16 million smiles. This helps to reduce the uncertainty of orthodontic treatment and could help you to decide whether Invisalign is right for you.
Your dentist will check your progress against your smile plan during your regular visits when you can also collect your next sets of aligners and discuss any problems or concerns you may have.
9. Results in 6 months or more
Teeth straightening with Invisalign isn't a quick fix, and can take as long as other orthodontic treatments to achieve results. This can mean anywhere from 6 months for minor smile corrections to 2 years or more for a more complex treatment.
Your dentist will explain your treatment timeline when they develop your treatment plan. Invisalign is more predictable than braces, but the timeline may still vary depending on factors such as patient compliance and interruptions due to oral health problems or injuries to the mouth.
10. Fewer appointments needed
Most Invisalign patients only need to see their dentist every 4–8 weeks, depending on the individual case, which is less often than is generally needed with braces. This is because your dentist will usually provide you with several sets of aligners on each visit that you can replace yourself after 1–3 weeks of use, unlike braces that need to be adjusted by your dentist in person.
You’re also less likely to need an emergency dentist with Invisalign, as the aligners are less likely to damage than brace brackets and wires, which may bend or come loose. You should still see your dentist as soon as possible if you damage or lose an aligner to avoid your treatment being interrupted.
11. May need a retainer
As with other orthodontic options, you may need to wear a retainer after completing your Invisalign treatment and achieving your desired level of teeth straightening. This helps to keep your teeth in their new position and prevents them from shifting back or going out of alignment again, which can be a risk without retention.
Retainers for Invisalign are designed to be similarly discreet and invisible on your teeth. Your dentist will tell you whether or not you need to use a retainer and how often it should be worn to maintain your smile.
12. Most trusted clear aligner brand
Invisalign is the most recommended brand of clear aligners by dentists and doctors worldwide. While this is partly due to its market dominance, the Invisalign system also has more scientific studies backing its effectiveness than other brands, with more than two decades of use and continuous development behind it.
Other aligner brands may have similar results or may be more affordable than Invisalign, but their effectiveness can vary depending on your individual needs.
Book an Invisalign consultation on the Gold Coast
If you’re considering Invisalign treatment and want to know whether you’re a candidate, contact our team at Robina Town Dental to book a complimentary initial consultation with one of our experienced Invisalign providers (valued at $297). We’ll assess your suitability and make sure you have all the information about Invisalign and alternative treatments so you can make fully informed decisions.
Call us now on 07 5575 9100 or contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Our dental clinic is conveniently located in Robina Town Centre and we also welcome patients from all nearby suburbs, including Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Clear Island Waters, Mermaid Waters, Merrimac, Miami, Mudgeeraba, Varsity Lakes and Worongary.
Invisalign® aligners are a registered medical device. Always read the label and follow and instructions for use from your dentist.