Unfortunately, misaligned or crooked teeth are incredibly common and can have a serious impact on our oral health, not to mention our oral health. While, in the past, metal braces and wires were the only solution, that is no longer the case. Invisalign is a game-changer, offering a comfortable, virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign, you can say goodbye to traditional braces and embrace a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing journey to a straighter smile.
Invisalign – An Invisible Way to Straighten Your Smile
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What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are a revolutionary orthodontic treatment option designed to straighten teeth and correct misalignments with exceptional discretion and comfort. These custom-made, transparent aligners are crafted from a clear, BPA-free plastic material that fits snugly over the teeth.
One of the most significant advantages of clear aligners is their inconspicuous nature. The transparent material makes them nearly invisible when worn, allowing you to smile and speak with confidence throughout your orthodontic journey. They’re also removable, which simplifies oral hygiene and permits the enjoyment of food without restrictions.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners work by gently applying controlled force to specific teeth, gradually guiding them into their ideal positions. The treatment process involves a series of aligners, each slightly adjusted to encourage tooth movement. Patients typically wear each set for about two weeks before progressing to the next in the series.
Clear aligners have become a preferred choice for people seeking orthodontic solutions, offering a more comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional braces. They are especially beneficial for those with mild to moderate misalignments, providing a discreet path to achieving a beautifully aligned smile without the aesthetic concerns or inconveniences associated with traditional metal braces.
The Invisalign Difference
Invisalign was the first ever brand of clear aligners; developed by Align Technology, a company with a strong history in orthodontics and extensive clinical research, it’s often considered the gold standard in clear aligner therapy.
Invisalign aligners are made from a proprietary, patented SmartTrack material, renowned for its clarity, flexibility, and comfort. What’s more, the aligners are tailored to each patient’s unique treatment plan, utilising advanced 3D scanning and treatment planning technology.
The Benefits Of Invisalign Clear Aligners
While other brands of clear aligners offer seemingly similar treatments and products to Invisalign, they don’t all work in the same way and provide the same benefits. Only Invisalign uses the unique SmartTrack material and is able to deliver the following advanced benefits:
- Faster Treatment Time – Invisalign’s SmartTrack material applies a superior fit and constant pressure, enabling aligners to be changed weekly instead of fortnightly and, thereby, speeding up the treatment process.
- Improved Fit – not only does the SmartTrack material fit more snuggly, avoiding the discomfort when aligners become loose, but it also offers flexibility around the teeth to make it more comfortable.
- Comfortable Treatment – extra force is added to some clear aligners to account for the loss of pressure over time. However, as Invisalign aligners hold constant pressure, they have been found to be significantly less painful.
- Advanced Scope – while Invisalign isn’t suitable for every use case, as well as simply straightening teeth like other clear aligner brands, it can also correct overbites, underbites and crossbites.
- Compliance Tracking – as clear aligners can be removed, it can be tempting to do so more than is advised. To account for this, Invisalign has a blue compliance indicator that fades over time and ensures aligners are worn for long enough to have the desired effect.
The Invisalign Treatment Process
The process of straightening your smile with Invisalign is simple, discreet and extremely successful. There are four key stages to the treatment process:
- Consultation – before you can start your teeth straightening journey, you’ll need to have an initial assessment with our experienced Invisalign dentist. During the consultation, we’ll evaluate your teeth and oral health, take 3D scans of your mouth and create a customised treatment plan so you have a clear view of the entire process and the intended outcome from the very beginning.
- Treatment – once we’ve created your treatment plan, we’ll provide you with your own set of custom-made aligners. You’ll need to wear each aligner for 22 hours a day and then swap to a new aligner every one to two weeks, as per your treatment plan. As long as you commit to the treatment, your teeth will gradually move.
- Monitoring – while the day-to-day aspect of your treatment is in your hands, we’ll always be there to support you and like to see you every four to six weeks to make sure everything is still firmly on track. The exact length of your treatment will depend on your individual circumstances. However, the average treatment time is between 6 and 15 months.
- Support – once your treatment is complete, you’ll still need to look after your oral health. You may mean to wear a retainer to help your teeth stay in place and will need to ensure you maintain excellent oral hygiene and visit us regularly.
Who is a Suitable Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign is an adaptable orthodontic treatment suited for those with mild to moderate dental misalignments, including crowded teeth, gaps, and minor bite issues. It appeals to adults and older teens seeking a discreet and comfortable solution. It’s also ideal for individuals with busy lifestyles since the aligners are removable and allow for easy eating and oral hygiene. However, if you’d like to know if Invisalign could be right for you, the best thing is to come in for a consultation.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign treatment varies depending on several factors, including the complexity of your orthodontic issues and your specific treatment plan. Mild cases with minimal misalignments will cost less than complex cases that require longer treatment. To help manage the cost of treatment and the investment in your oral health, we offer several payment plans:
- MySmile Plan – enabling you to spread the cost of treatment over 12 months without the need for a lengthy approval process or credit check.
- Orthodontic Plan – letting you pay a small deposit at the start of your treatment and then pay the balance in regular instalments to suit your budget.
- Supercare – working in collaboration with Supercare, we can help you find out whether you can access your superannuation to manage the cost of your treatment.
Why Choose Sensational Smiles Dental?
Our team of dentists at Sensational Smiles Dental are highly trained and experienced in orthodontic treatments, have seen a wide variety of case types and are perfectly placed to help you straighten your smile with Invisalign. Not only that, but they are dedicated to your comfort and care at all times. At our purpose-built practice, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art technology in comfortable and calm surroundings, ensuring you receive the best possible treatment from the moment you step through the door.
