Teeth Straightening
In a society where the appearance of our teeth has such an impact on both our self perception, and the perception of others about us, teeth straightening is an ever more popularly requested treatment. How confident we feel about our smile can affect many aspects of our lives. With modern advances in brace treatments, with varying costs, treatment times and discrete options available, teeth straightening is suitable for a wide range of people.
Teeth straightening can be performed by an orthodontist, or a regular dentist with expertise in the area. The complexity of the individual case will determine who can take on your treatment. You always have the option to see a specialist for your treatment, but many developments in invisible braces mean dentists correctly trained such as Dr Olivia can provide the treatment for you in general practice.
PLEASE NOTE WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO AVAILABILITY FOR THIS SERVICE, WE CAN ADVISE ON IT ONLY.
What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear Aligners refer to a set of clear plastic retainers, so discreet they are invisible to others. A series of these Clear Aligners are worn in succession to straighten your teeth. They are fabricated in a strong, thin, clear plastic. Each retainer will be a slightly different shape to the previous one in the series. The gentle forces each Aligner puts on your teeth will gradually straighten them into an ideal position.
They are sometimes fabricated with little clear ‘buttons’ on different parts of your teeth, which help the teeth move into the required angle. Clear Aligners such as ClearSmile Aligners and Invisalign are so discreet that most people won’t have any idea you are wearing a brace. Their removable nature means you can take them out should you need to for an event or work commitment. To allow fast progression of your treatment, you should wear them at all times aside from eating and drinking. You may drink plain water with the Aligners in place. It is important to regularly brush and floss your teeth when you remove the retainers. Because of their invisible nature, there is no need to feel self conscious during your treatment.
What Can Clear Aligners Help With?
Clear Aligners are designed to help with mild to moderate discrepancies in the alignment or your teeth. Some of the complaints that can be solved using the treatment are:
Gaps in your teeth; If you suffer from spaces in between your teeth, Clear Aligners can be used to gradually reduce the spaces and close gaps.
Crowded teeth; If it feels like you have too many teeth and they are misshapen trying to fit into your smile, Clear Aligners can be used to reduce this crowding. The movements instigated by the aligners can create space to allow your teeth to settle into a straighter position. In some instances the alignment can be helped along by polishing strips to create extra space. ]
Rotated teeth; If your teeth seem to be rotated at an angle and aren’t sitting in the correct arch of your smile, Clear Aligners can move them into position. This is achieved by calculated mechanical movements stimulated by the design of the Aligner trays.
Under or overbites; If your teeth bite in an unnatural position, Clear Aligners can gently upright the teeth. With careful planning this can alter the bite and create an aesthetically pleasing smile.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Your teeth will be assessed by Dr Olivia in a detailed consultation appointment. The health of your teeth will be checked, and the strength of your gums. The healthiness of your gums is imperative when undergoing any orthodontic treatment, as strong underlying bone structure is required to maintain the position of the teeth during and after treatment. A series of photographs and measurements will be taken to precisely plan the movements required. Impressions of your teeth will be needed to record every detail of your teeth and gums.
From these dental impressions, the lab will construct your aligners. You will be shown a computer generated image/printed model to showcase your predicted end result. This will enable you to make an informed choice on whether you are happy to proceed with Aligner treatment. Using intelligent computer programming and specialised equipment, your Aligners will be fabricated. Each Aligner is a slightly different shape to the previous one, to enable tooth movement in the right direction. The gentle forces applied by the shape of the Aligner being slightly different to your current tooth position will kickstart movement. When you get to the last Aligner in the series, your teeth will be straight.
What Are The Advantages of Wearing Clear Aligners?
There are so many advantages when considering Clear Aligners to straighten your teeth. The treatment is closely monitored by your dentist but essentially controlled by you. This isn’t to say you can choose how to manage your treatment! But it means that should you want to take your brace out for a special event or photograph, you can do so without attending the dental surgery beforehand. The Aligners are virtually invisible to the naked eye. They are formed of a thin clear plastic. This makes them very discreet and easy to wear whilst going about your daily life. The fabrication of the Aligners into a thin shape mean they should have minimal impact on your speech. If any mild disturbance is caused, this is usually temporary as you learn to get used to the presence of the appliance in your mouth. Any discomfort suffered during treatment is mild and self limiting. It is usually only noticed when changing to a new Aligner, and will disappear after a day or two of wear. Clear Aligners are very safe. No damage to your teeth or gums will occur, as long as you follow Dr Olivia’s advice, and return for your regular checks. You must attend each check as planned in the clinic.
What Is The Clear Aligner Treatment Procedure?
Once your treatment has been planned and the Aligners have been delivered, it is time to start treatment. At your first visit Dr Olivia will talk you through the expectations of your case. You will discuss how long to wear each Aligner, how many hours per day as well as how many days until switching to the next one. You will be told how to care for the Aligners at home, and what to do if any become damaged or lost. When your first Aligner is fitted in the clinic, Dr Olivia will show you how to seat each subsequent Aligner correctly. You will be talked through the cleaning and storing of the Aligners. If your particular case requires it, small alterations may be made to your teeth to help with the progression of movement. Sometimes thin strips are used between the teeth to create microns of space. Composite filling material may be placed in tiny increments on to your teeth to drive forces in the right direction of movement. Each Aligner is usually worn for 7-14 days, until it becomes reasonably loose. The next Aligner in the series is then worn for the same period. Each Aligner should be worn for approximately 22 hours per day, removed only when eating, drinking and cleaning the teeth. Small breaks are acceptable, but longer periods not wearing the brace will slow progression. Do not be alarmed if your teeth feel slightly loose during treatment. You will be followed up in the clinic every 2 weeks or so to check your teeth are healthy. If you have any concerns, call the surgery at any time. Your teeth will gradually move into the correct position as you work through your series of Aligners. At the end of treatment, retainers will be fitted to maintain the position of your teeth. These will be fixed, removable, or both together. These must be worn full time initially, and then nightly, indefinitely. If you stop wearing your retainer even years later, your teeth will move again.
How Long Does The Treatment Take?
The treatment time depends on how misplaced your teeth are from their ideal position. If there are only small tweaks to make, your case could take a number of weeks to a few months time. If your case is more complex and more movement/rotations of your teeth are required, your treatment could take several months to complete. If you miss appointments needed to review and tweak aspects of your teeth, your case will slow down. Dr Olivia will want to closely monitor your case. If there is a delay in treatment and you do not return to the clinic for an extended period of time, your lab work may expire and your case may require reassessment (at cost). If there are any complications during your treatment or difficulties in getting the teeth to move, your case may take slightly longer than planned.
Aftercare For Clear Aligners
As stated in the explanation of the treatment protocol, after you finish treatment you will require an appliance for the retention of your teeth, indefinitely. If you do not comply with aftercare requirements, your case may relapse. There are 2 main types of retainers, fixed and removable. Some cases require just one, in others it is favourable to use both types. A fixed retainer is a discrete wire, bonded onto the back of your straightened teeth. This will give some degree of stability to your straight teeth, but is best in combination with a plastic retainer. The wire retainer alone is great for daytime maintenance or if you lose your removable retainer. A removable retainer, also known as an Essix retainer, is a vacuum formed thin shell of hard plastic. The tight fitting nature of this retainer makes it a great choice for retaining your teeth in as close a position as possible to that achieved by your treatment. Once you are finished with your orthodontic treatment, you will be provided with your retainer. It must be worn at all times aside from removable for eating and drinking. You will be reviewed at approximately 3 months after your treatment, at which stage night only wear is acceptable. If you lose your retainer or break it you must contact the clinic immediately. Your teeth will move within days if a replacement is not fitted. The same goes for your fixed retainer, if it is to loosen from any teeth.
What Is The Cost of Clear Aligners?
The cost will depend on the complexity of treatment, how many visits you require, and how many Aligners are prescribed in your case. Simple cases of a single arch (ie upper or lower teeth in isolation) start at around £1000-1200. Prices will increase if further work is required, and could change during treatment if there are any difficulties. You will not be charged any extra fees without clear explanation of these. Retention protocols are included in your price. Further treatment desired after completion of your case can be discussed at any point and priced upon request.