Page - Invisalign
Straighter teeth, Easier cleaning, Healthy gums
Invisalign take a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligners are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete.
The removable nature of the aligners means you can take them out for special occasions or to brush and floss to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Recent developments have expanded the clinical scope of Invisalign treatment. Nowadays, the Invisalign system can be used to treat most orthodontic patients with increasingly complex malocclusions; from overly crowded teeth and underbites to jaw problems and tooth alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Invisalign is the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without braces. The Invisalign System uses a combination of proprietary virtual modeling software, rapid manufacturing, mass customisation and virtually clear, removable ‘aligners’ to straighten teeth without metal or wires. The Invisalign system is prescribed to patients through trained Invisalign Orthodontists or Dentists, and only they can determine a patient’s suitability and exact treatment plan.
Invisalign has proven to be as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces. The level of Invisalign experience will determine how an orthodontist or dentist decides how to treat a patient, be it with Invisalign or traditional braces. Patients with severe crowding or bite problems may require interdisciplinary treatments in which Invisalign is used in combination with other teeth straightening techniques.
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 desired position is achieved.
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 non-toxic plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.
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 have referred to them as “contact lenses for teeth”.
The length of treatment is dependent on the severity of each individual patient’s orthodontic issues.
Treatment may vary from anywhere between six months to two years with an average treatment taking around 12 to 14 months.
Cost
In most cases, the cost of Invisalign is comparable to the cost of adult ceramic braces. However as with other medical treatments, the cost of treatment is determined by the prescribing dentist and is based upon the complexity of treatment required and the schedule of fees charged. In Australia, the average cost of treatment ranges from $7,000-$8,500.