Is Invisalign more popular than steel braces these days?

There are many versions of clear removable aligners now on the market, but by far the most popular and the one with the longest track record is Invisalign. Made of clear colourless soft plastic, the aligners fit over teeth like a minimal gum shield, gradually straightening teeth over time, with no wires involved, thus making them much more discreet.

Why is Invisalign so popular?

Although both fixed braces and Invisalign have their pros and cons, Invisalign has indeed become the most popular way to improve smiles thanks to its unobtrusive design and fast process. Traditional braces cannot be removed, which actually gives them a certain advantage when it comes to efficiency, because patients who wear Invisalign may be tempted to regularly remove aligners and therefore the outcome may not be as ideal. However, like most patients, as long as you follow your orthodontist’s advice about the optimal use of your aligners, you will achieve a great result!

The right age for Invisalign

You are almost never too old for Invisalign. The great thing about Invisalign is that it offers both teenagers and adults a discreet way to straighten teeth which is significantly less conspicuous than more traditional methods like fixed braces. It has become exceedingly popular with older patients and professionals who want to enhance their smiles. So if you want straighter teeth but feel a little embarrassed about getting braces, Invisalign is for you!

How does Invisalign work?

Teeth are scanned using a digital scanner, and the scan is sent to Invisalign’s laboratories. There, the movement of teeth toward their aligned positions is digitally (or virtually) formulated, and the full movement is broken down into smaller stages.

The virtual treatment plan is checked, modified, and finally approved by our specialist orthodontists. A sequence of Invisalign aligners is then created to match these smaller stages.

Clear plastic aligners are designed in a way such that each individual tooth has a certain amount of pressure applied to it which causes it to move gently and slightly. The patient is given a series of these aligners designed to be worn in a stepwise sequence. Each aligner moves the teeth by a small amount in the desired direction. You will need to wear the aligners most of the time and only take them out to brush your teeth or eat. This is important, as removing your Invisalign too regularly will impact how successful the treatment is.

Do I have to have horrible moulds of my teeth taken for Invisalign?

Previously, they were made from impressions of the teeth; but here at Elite Orthodontics London, we use the latest scanning technology to record the teeth. This is a much less invasive and uncomfortable way of taking impressions and offers incredibly accurate results. This is another reason why Invisalign has become so popular at our specialist London orthodontic practice.

The scans are transmitted to Invisalign’s North American labs, and they use the scans to create an accurate and virtual treatment plan for the correct movement of teeth into an ideal arrangement.

The great thing about this type of appliance is that it is almost invisible, meaning it is the perfect option for working professionals and adults who might want to be more discreet about their orthodontic treatment.

Who can benefit from Invisalign?

Opting for Invisalign in London from Elite Orthodontics is a great choice for people who have previously had orthodontic treatment with fixed braces, but whose teeth have moved again. However, even if it’s your first time with orthodontics, there are a number of other reasons too why you may choose to go for Invisalign treatment, including if you have:

• An overbite
• An underbite
• Crowded irregular teeth
• Gappy teeth
• An open bite
• A crossbite

Although extremely popular with adults, Invisalign works just as effectively with children and teenagers. In fact, many of our Invisalign patients are younger and wherever appropriate.

What are the main benefits of Invisalign apart from being invisible?

You can remove Invisalign for eating and for flossing or brushing your teeth, and of course occasionally for a couple of hours for important social occasions!

Many of our patients who use Invisalign have commented that their friends and colleagues have not noticed that they are wearing orthodontic appliances, so you could complete a whole course of orthodontic treatment imperceptibly.

Does Invisalign hurt?

No. Another reason Invisalign is now more popular than fixed braces is that from start to finish, your Invisalign treatment is carried out carefully to ensure your comfort the entire way. Invisalign does not rub against your lips and cheeks like fixed braces. Unlike traditional braces, the process of having Invisalign treatment feels much less invasive. The absence of uncomfortable tightening of wires means you will glide through your treatment in comfort.

Will my treatment duration be shorter with Invisalign?

The short answer is generally yes! Another reason for the popularity of Invisalign! Traditional fixed braces in London often take over a year or up to two years or more to be completed. When Invisalign is a suitable treatment option, treatment times generally tend to be shorter and take under a year, and in some cases as little as 6 months or so. To get a clearer idea of how long your treatment will take, scans of your teeth are taken at your initial consultation. This allows our specialist orthodontists to gain a more precise idea of what needs to be done in order to achieve your dream smile. Complex cases tend to take longer to complete irrespective of the appliance used.

Will I need to attend fewer appointments with Invisalign?

Again, yes! Invisalign is becoming more popular than fixed braces because its advanced technology means that your treatment journey to a lovely smile has been mapped out from the start; so, each new aligner will work to continue your progress, meaning fewer appointments in total than traditional braces.

Still, considering your orthodontic options? Read our blog on Braces vs Invisalign to learn which option is right for you.