Invisalign in London

The Invisalign® system creates a set of virtually invisible and removable plastic trays (aligners or sometimes called splints) which are manufactured on a bespoke basis to provide a perfect fit over a patient’s teeth at every stage of the treatment process. Often referred to as “invisible braces“, Invisalign® is a popular alternative to adult braces or traditional braces as the system can be removed and is entirely discreet.

The secret to the orthodontic treatment is the gradual and gentle pressure exerted by the clear aligners to shift the teeth into their correct position guided by the exact movements planned out by your dentist or orthodontist using ClinCheck 3D software. This software can encourage you to use the aligners as we can show you ahead of the treatment the likely final tooth position if you complete the treatment successfully.

Who is suitable for Invisalign®?

Children and adults of all ages can be suitable for Invisalign. It is particularly useful for patients with concerns of decay and gum health, as with this orthodontic method they can continue their normal oral hygiene routine. Here are some of the conditions that Invisalign can correct:

Overjet – The overjet is the horizontal (anterior-posterior) relationship of the front teeth. The greatest distance between the incisal edges of the central incisors in the upper and lower jaw is measured. A significantly larger overjet can have some aesthetic and speech problems, Invisalign can help to reduce this condition.

Overbite – The overbite is the vertical (superior-inferior) relative position of the front teeth in the vertical dimension. The distance from the incisal edge in the upper jaw to the incisal edge of the lower jaw is measured. If the incisal edges bite together, the overbite value is zero. If the teeth overlap too much it can cause problems, being an important factor in increased tooth wear.. This condition makes many dental patients consider the orthodontic treatment of braces but Invisalign® can help with mild to moderate cases of overbite. Invisalign® is much less noticeable and so a discreet alternative to braces. If left untreated it can cause especially your lower teeth to wear down and can even cause pain in your jawline and your gums.

Crowded Teeth –when the teeth significantly overlap their position in the mouth, a condition which can begin in childhood and worsen into adulthood. It can lead to teeth misalignment and can impact both oral health and the aesthetic appearance of the smile, as well as your personal comfort and confidence. Mild cases of crowded teeth can be resolved using Invisalign® within 6-8 months and for more moderate cases the average timeframe is about 18 months duration using this system. If left untreated it can make caring for your teeth harder when it’s time to brush or floss your teeth and so could contribute to your risk of developing tooth decay and/or gum disease.

Underbite –An underbite is a bite problem that occurs when the lower teeth rest further forward than the upper teeth. Underbite mostly occurs due to genetics, as it is related to excessive growth of the lower jaw, and it can cause some dental issues, although the main problem is usually aesthetics. Invisalign can help to minimise the underbite in mild cases, whereas moderate to severe cases require orthognatic surgery.

Gappy Teeth – If your teeth are too small for your jawbone you might have gaps between them. Where the two central incisors are concerned the gap is sometimes called a diastema. Gappy teeth can show in more than one place within the dentition, originally presenting within small children (which may disappear during normal development) and yet are sometimes still noticeable in adulthood. Invisalign® is one dental treatment which could help to close the gaps, however, this is usually done in combination with composite bondings or veneers. At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic we have the perfect team to deal with this condition.

Crossbite – when the side teeth do not meet together in a regular position on the upper and lower jaw when you close your mouth to bite. An asymmetrical jawline position is best treated early in childhood to achieve optimum clinical results. Re-alignment is possible for mild cases of crossbite using Invisalign® aligners which are almost invisible to see and easily removable for comfort.

Pre-prosthetic Orthodontics – an Invisalign® tooth aligner treatment can be applied to straighten the teeth in preparation to receive a dental prosthetic like a dental bridge or a crown restoration. Pre-prosthetic orthodontics can help to reduce the amount of ground-down tooth material and thus can significantly reduce the risk of nerve damage.