What is Invisalign?

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Introducing Invisalign

With rapid advancements in technology, braces are becoming more discreet and awkward smiles are becoming less visible. Invisalign is the modern day’s take on traditional braces, but without the complicated age-old metal framework. Made with high-tech CAD/CAM technology, Invisalign clear aligners have redefined the way braces look and function.

What is Invisalign?

“Invisible” braces are a relatively new treatment alternative to braces with exclusive features like removability. With teens and young adults longing for straighter teeth as well as a dazzling smile, innovations in technology have offered them choices for just that. As their name suggests, clear aligners like Invisalign are made out of thin clear plastic, making them virtually “invisible” to onlookers.

A type of removable aligner, Invisalign involves a series of custom-made clear aligners, each one aims to adjust the position of your teeth one step further to its desired position. As an added benefit, these aligners can be removed when eating or brushing your teeth, making them ideal choices to seamlessly integrate into your daily life.

Are you a candidate for Invisalign?

No matter how old you are, you can be a great candidate for Invisalign clear aligners as long as your adult teeth have fully come in and are in impeccable health.

Invisalign is a viable orthodontic treatment option for common dental problems such as:

  • Overcrowded teeth: When there is a discrepancy between the size of your teeth and jaws. Overcrowded teeth can be unsightly and cause many hygiene problems.
  • Uneven gaps: When there is a discrepancy between the size of your teeth and jaws or when missing teeth.
  • Prominent front teeth: Also known as an increased overjet, can occur due to the position of the jaws or angulation of the teeth.
  • Crossbites: When the upper and lower jaws are both maligned.
  • Overbites: When upper teeth overlap significantly with the lower teeth.
  • Underbites: Also known as reverse overjets, can occur when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth.

What are the benefits of getting Invisalign?

Invisalign clear aligners are generally made in conjunction with 3D technology, making the procedure inherently painless and non-invasive.

Some other benefits you may receive with Invisalign over traditional braces are:

  • Superior aesthetics: Since they are almost completely invisible, they make for great accessories to social settings. You no longer need to feel self-conscious about your smile. Instead, smile big!
  • Comfort of wear: They are less irritating to the soft tissues, unlike braces that may cause nicks on your lips, cheek, and tongue.
  • Removability: You can remove Invisalign aligners whenever you eat or brush your teeth. This gives you an infinite list of food options. Eat anything you want with Invisalign.
  • Predictability: A great merit of Invisalign and other clear aligners is in the fact that you can visualize what the end result would look like even before the treatment has begun.
  • Better oral hygiene: Clear aligners are easy to maintain. All you have to do is clean them in warm water and your fresh new smile is here to stay!

Invisalign process: How are they made?

Invisalign clear aligners are made with specialised plastic and high level technology. With the unique ClinCheck system in York’s finest orthodontic practice, we are able to show you what your finished and polished smile will look like at the end of treatment. We can tailor the treatment to ensure that you get the picture-perfect smile you have always wanted.

If you are considering getting Invisalign, it helps to know what to expect first.

  • Consultation:

Before you can receive your aligner, you must first speak to your Orthodontist. During this appointment, your teeth will be critically examined to determine if Invisalign is the best treatment option for your dental and oral health. In some cases of extreme malalignment, you may be recommended an alternative option instead.

  • X-rays:

Your Orthodontist will also acquire x-rays of your teeth to evaluate your suitability, the health of your teeth and their position in your face. These radiographs will help them get the whole picture of your mouth.

  • Impression taking:

Your Orthodontist will take an impression of your oral structures and then create a digital 3D model out of it. This model will be a direct replica of your mouth and will allow the fabrication of clear aligners that perfectly compliment you and give great outcomes.

  • Fabrication and seating:

The data of your oral structures will then be transferred to the fabrication plant which delivers the finished product to your Orthodontist. These custom-made Invisalign aligners will ensure a flawless fit to effectively help your teeth move into alignment.

  • Follow-up:

After receiving your Invisalign clear aligners, you should schedule follow-up appointments with your Orthodontist. These appointments will help them check the progress of your treatment. Every seven to ten days, your Invisalign aligners will be swapped. If worn properly, Invisalign treatments have shown to correct malalignment as early as ten weeks.

How often should Invisalign be worn?

It is important to note that Invisalign aligners are to be worn for up to 22 hours a day. You are permitted to remove your aligners for two hours every day which means that you will have to strategically fit your removals during eating and brushing in this two-hour timeframe. It also means that you will have to wear them when you go to sleep. Consistency in wear can significantly influence your treatment length.

What to expect with Invisalign?

Receiving your Invisalign aligners is only the first step. Maintaining and wearing them regularly is when your treatment process truly begins. While the experience with Invisalign feels different for every individual, here are some things you can look to expect from your first-time wearing an Invisalign clear aligner:

  • Speech: You may notice a slight lisp during the first few days of your treatment because your tongue takes time to adjust to and around the appliance. However, this goes away soon after continual wear.
  • Tenderness: Another complaint consistent with Invisalign wear is the feeling of tenderness on your gums and teeth. This also should subside as your mouth adapts to the material and feel of the aligner.

How to care for your Invisalign clear aligners?

Here are a few easy tips to care for your Invisalign aligners:

  • Remove before eating or drinking
  • Refrain from smoking and other tobacco products
  • Rinse your aligners with warm water or scrub lightly with a toothbrush when you remove them
  • Brush and floss before reinserting your aligners
  • Clean your trays regularly
  • Limit foods with excessive artificial food colouring

Important instructions for new Invisalign users

Here’s a heads-up of some of the things you might want to be aware of before you pop your first aligner into your mouth.

  • You can get attachments to speed up the process such as buttons and rubber bands
  • You can also whiten your teeth when you are getting your Invisalign treatment
  • You may need to carry toothbrushes where ever you go
  • You will still need to wear a retainer after the Invisalign treatment
  • You will need to maintain proper oral hygiene as much as you can!

Your teeth can make or break your smile. With Invisalign, you no longer have to hide behind the curtains of self-consciousness. At York’s finest orthodontic practice, we make sure that nothing comes between you and your smile.

Book a free consultation with Windmill Orthodontics York today.

Children’s Orthodontics – York

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Children’s Orthodontics

A child’s smile is one of the purest and most joyous sights in the world. As parents, we do all that is in our power to preserve that smile by providing them with the proper care and affection that they deserve. Children speed through childhood faster than we can comprehend and pretty quickly they may show signs of a faltering smile and wavering confidence. One of the leading causes of lowered self-esteem in young children and teens is their dissatisfaction with their smiles. An abnormal bite, crowded or crooked teeth, and uneven gaps in between teeth can all cause children to feel overly conscious about smiles.

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all solution to misaligned teeth. However, braces and similar dental appliances have been widely contributing to rebuilding lost smiles. In fact, a recent NHS study stated that between 35 and 42 percent of 12-year-olds have teeth that clinically require braces. At Yorkshire’s number one orthodontics practice, we help restore the fragile smiles of your children and give them the confidence they deserve.

Why is orthodontics important?

While pediatric dentists focus on the health of the gums and teeth, Orthodontists study the growth and development of the teeth and jaws. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the development, prevention, and correction of dental irregularities. With the help of Windmill Orthodontic’s specialist team, your child can not only be able to achieve a straighter smile but also a healthier one.

How will orthodontic treatment help my child?

Orthodontics plays a pivotal part in the child’s oral and dental growth and development. Orthodontic treatment is about making the best of your teeth and improving the harmony of your mouth and jaws. Proper orthodontic care can help prevent the risk of decay, trauma and correct even the most extreme cases of facial and jaw disfigurement. Once you can bite together correctly, you can eat more comfortably and care for your teeth and gums more easily. Not to mention the benefits of a nice smile. Having a symmetrical and pleasing smile early on can significantly increase confidence in growing children and boost their sense of self-worth. Our Specialist Orthodontists have had extensive training that enables them to provide professional and personalised treatment plans to each individual patient.

Where did my child’s orthodontic problems come from?

Most orthodontic problems in children are inherited in some way or form. However, sometimes some dental problems develop as a result of uninterrupted oral habits such as sucking the thumbs or fingers and mouth breathing. Additionally, dental disease and poor oral hygiene can also contribute to the incidence of orthodontic problems. Whatever the case may be, our Orthodontists are able to treat most conditions with relative success.

Won’t my child’s teeth straighten out as they grow?

One of the most infamous and on-going misconceptions among parents is that their child’s oral hygiene does not matter. The logic behind such thought is that since milk teeth eventually fall out, they aren’t as important to be taken care of. However, this could not be further from the truth.

Primary or baby teeth, while being temporary, are also space-holders for the adult teeth. The space available for the permanent teeth does not increase as one grows. A poorly aligned set of baby teeth can also mean drastic impairment in the alignment of the permanent dentition. So, unfortunately, no- your child’s teeth will not straighten out as they grow. The good news, however, is that with the right orthodontic intervention at the right time, your child’s teeth can be straightened.

What is the right age for orthodontic treatment?

There is no set age when children should start to see an orthodontist. Whilst the majority of children are ready for braces by 11-16 a very small proportion could benefit from treatment earlier. This is sometimes referred to as interceptive orthodontics. The treatment plan will depend on the specific child’s unique needs. If you think that a problem is developing earlier then you should seek advice.

The goal of any orthodontic treatment is to prevent further problems from arising and to ensure a “normal” bite. Braces and other aligners are thought to be most effective in children as compared to adults as their bones are still developing. Adjusting the underlying bone and restructuring the positions of the teeth early on in the developmental process can improve their bite for the rest of their lives. Getting orthodontic treatment may be your child’s saving grace from a lifetime of poor oral health as the need for dental work is significantly reduced if orthodontic treatment is completed early.

What can orthodontic treatment fix?

Early intervention of braces and aligners in kids helps correct the developmental problems associated with their teeth and jaws. Your child maybe in need of an orthodontic treatment plan if they present with any of these conditions:

  • Overcrowded teeth: When there is a discrepancy between the size of your teeth and jaws. Overcrowded teeth can be unsightly and cause many hygiene problems.
  • Uneven gaps: When there is a discrepancy between the size of your teeth and jaws or when there are missing teeth.
  • Prominent front teeth: Also known as an increased overjet, can occur due to the position of the jaws or angulation of the teeth.
  • Underbites: Also known as a reverse overjet, can occur when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth.
  • Crossbites: When the upper and lower jaws are both maligned.
  • Overbites: When upper teeth overlap significantly with the lower teeth.
  • An open bite – when your front teeth remain apart when your back teeth meet; the tongue is often still visible between the upper and lower front teeth.
  • Impacted teeth – in some patients, secondary teeth come through in the wrong position or do not erupt at all. Orthodontic treatment can help bring these teeth into the correct position.

If there is a problem with your child’s bite it can sometimes be beneficial to treat them before the age of 11 years. Introducing braces when the child’s bones are still malleable can help expand the jaw to make room for their permanent teeth, thus, correcting the incidence of overcrowded, crooked, or misaligned teeth.

What are some benefits of early orthodontic treatment?

  • Creates more space for overcrowded teeth to erupt: Orthodontic treatment can help expand the jaws and make more space for the permanent teeth to erupt in uniformity.
  • Improves facial symmetry: Braces and aligners can correct crooked and misaligned teeth. This synergistic tooth movement can change the overall appearance of the face, making it look fuller and more symmetrical.
  • Reduces the risk of chipping of protruded teeth: Children who have protruded front teeth often do not have enough lip coverage to protect the teeth from a fall or a blow. This means that it will be easier for the child to lose teeth and incur damage if proper orthodontic care to correct these issues is not put into place.
  • Resolves speech issues: A visible problem with overbites can often cause an obstruction of the tongue while talking. Braces can successfully correct overbites and resolve speech impediment issues.
  • Prevents uneven wear of teeth: Sometimes if teeth have erupted into the wrong position they can wear down unevenly

What are my choices for children’s orthodontics?

We offer a range of treatment options that can significantly affect the way your child grows up with their smiles. We offer three main options for orthodontics such as:

  • Removable braces: Made from plastic and metal these appliances can incorporate springs and retractors to help correct a wide range of issues. They are very efficient.
  • Traditional fixed braces: Bracket and wire braces can help improve common bite-related issues like overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
  • Clear aligners: With the added promise to improve the self-image and confidence of your child, we also offer clear aligners like Invisalign that are discreet yet effective in the process of teeth straightening.
  • Lingual braces: When conventional braces become too conspicuous, you can opt for lingual braces that hide perfectly behind your front lower teeth.

An improvement in the child’s smile and successful straightening of the teeth can concurrently occur when proper orthodontic treatment is assigned. At Windmill Orthodontics York, we believe that your child’s smile should be protected to the best of our capabilities. Get in contact with us to arrange a free consultation.