Cosmetic Dentistry in Glasgow
Clear Invisalign Braces Glasgow
What is Invisalign® ?
- Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
- Invisalign® uses a series of clear removable aligners (pictured to the left) to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.
- Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices throughout America.
- You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
- As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.
- You'll visit your orthodontist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
- Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.
Invisalign® can help you get the great smile you've always wanted because it's...
Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening your teeth. So now you can smile more during treatment as well as after.
Removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem.
Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your orthodontist's practice getting adjustments.
Invisalign® also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
(General)
What is Invisalign®?
Invisalign® is the invisible new way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires.
Does Invisalign® really work?
Yes. In both clinical research and in orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, Invisalign® has been proven effective at straightening teeth.
How does Invisalign® work?
Invisalign® uses 3-D computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment plan from the initial position to the final desired position from which a series of custom-made "Aligners" are produced. Each "Aligner" moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.
What are the primary benefits of Invisalign®?
There are four primary benefits of Invisalign® :
- Invisalign® is nearly invisible - you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.
- Invisalign® is removable - you can eat and drink what you want in treatment; you can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene.
- Invisalign® is comfortable - there are no metal brackets or wires to cause mouth irritation; no metal or wires also means you spend less time in the doctor's chair getting adjustments.
- Invisalign® allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start - so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.
What do aligners look like?
Aligners are nearly invisible and look similar to clear tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as "contact lenses for teeth."
Is this a new way to straighten teeth? How old is the company?
For years, orthodontists and dentists have used removable appliances for limited treatment. Today, with the application of computer technology, Invisalign® treats a broader range of cases with greater precision.
How old is the company?
Align Technology, Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign®, was founded in 1997.
How old is this technology?
In 1945 Dr. H.D. Kesling envisioned that one day, modern technology would enable the use of a series of tooth positioners to produce the kinds of movements required for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Align has made this vision a reality. Using advanced computer technology, Align generates Invisalign®, a series of customized appliances, called "Aligners". Each Aligner is worn sequentially by the patient to produce extensive tooth movements in both upper and lower arches.
How many patients are being treated with Invisalign®?
Currently, doctors are treating more than 250,000 patients. The number grows daily.
How does Invisalign® effectively move teeth?
Like brackets and archwires, Invisalign® Aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign® not only controls forces, but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Case Selection)
What is the minimum age of a patient that a doctor can treat with Invisalign®?
Invisalign to treat a vast majority of patients with fully-erupted molars.
Does the procedure work on overbites (overjets) and how?
Invisalign® can be used to treat a vast majority of adults & adolescents.
Have there been cases where a patient was treated for a case that is a little more severe than moderate crowding?
Yes, there are clinical studies, written by doctors citing the treatment of complex cases using Invisalign®.
Are crowns a factor in Invisalign® treatment?
No, crowns are usually not a factor in Invisalign® treatment. However, sometimes small composites called attachments are bonded onto teeth to help achieve certain movements. In these cases, the location of crowns must be carefully evaluated by an Invisalign orthodontist or dentist.
Can Invisalign® close gaps (space closure)?
Yes. Spaces between teeth are generally easy to close with the Invisalign® System.
Frequently Asked Questions
(While in Treatment)
Will the treatment be painful?
Most people experience temporary, minor discomfort for a few days at the beginning of each new stage of treatment. This is normal and is typically described as a feeling of pressure. It is a sign that Invisalign® is working - sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination. This discomfort typically goes away a couple of days after you insert the new Aligner in the series.
Will wearing Invisalign® Aligners affect my speech?
Like all orthodontic treatments, Aligners may temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having Aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the Aligners should disappear.
Are there restrictions on what I can eat while in treatment?
No. Unlike traditional wires & brackets, you can eat whatever you desire while in treatment because you remove your Aligners to eat and drink. Thus, there is no need to restrict your consumption of any of your favorite foods and snacks, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. Also, it is important that you brush your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your Aligners to maintain proper hygiene.
Will smoking stain the aligners?
We discourage smoking while wearing Aligners because it is possible for the Aligners to become discolored.
Can I chew gum while wearing aligners?
No, gum will stick to the Aligners. We recommend removing your Aligners for all meals and snacks.
What's the best way to clean my aligners?
The best way to clean your Aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.
How often must I wear my aligners?
Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing and flossing.
How often must I see the orthodontist/dentist?
Your orthodontist/dentist will schedule regular appointments - usually about once every six weeks. This is the only way your doctor can be sure that the treatment is progressing as planned.
What happens after treatment to prevent my teeth from moving again?
This depends on the outcome of the treatment. Some patients might need a positioner, or conventional retainer. Other patients might need a clear plastic retainer similar to the ones Invisalign® makes. Discuss these possibilities with your treating orthodontist or dentist. Every patient is different and outcomes vary.


