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As human beings, it is often difficult for us to find the time or energy to really improve our lives. Indeed, it is a simple fact of life that self-improvement takes time and often many different steps and stages to achieve. This is true whether we are trying to physically improve our bodies to look and act better or if we are trying to improve our behaviours and attitudes towards the world. This measured approach of improvement coming over several steps also applies to smaller and more specific things as well. Take, for example, dental hygiene and cosmetics. To keep our teeth clean and looking healthy, we need to clean them and be careful about the types of food that we eat. This is a step that we need to take every single day. However, there may be some problems that regular brushing and attention to diet can not fully fix, having misaligned teeth for example. There are a few different ways to solve the problem of misaligned teeth and one of the most popular and modern ways is invisalign. Invisalign is a treatment that can be provided to patients by Clear Braces Direct in London and similarly to any other kind of self-improvement, it is also a treatment that comes in different stages. Today we’ll take a look at those different stages and how Clear Braces Direct in London can help you with comfortably and effectively delivering all of these stages.

But first, we would like to take a look at Clear Braces Direct in London specifically and why we are a great choice for any patient’s invisalign treatment – as well as many of their other dental needs. Here at Clear Braces Direct, we are extremely proud of our record of having successfully improved the smiles of over 4,800 patients. We put our success in the world of dentistry down to our staff and their extensive understanding of dentistry. For this reason, we know that every patient is different and so we strive to treat every patient with the respect and individual consideration that they deserve. Therefore, whenever you want or need an improvement to your smile, be sure to contact Clear Braces Direct in London.

The stages of Invisalign treatment in London

The first step to getting Invisalign treatment in London is to have an invisalign scan. At Clear Braces Direct we perform our invisalign scans using innovative 3D scanning technology which eliminates the need for moulds. This scan will be able to tell the patient whether or not they are suitable for the invisalign direct to patient option.

Assuming that the patient is found to be suitable, then their teeth will be scanned again at a scan centre so that specific invisalign aligners can be made for the patient’s teeth. Invisalign aligners come in a set. The patient uses each aligner in the set, switching one out for the next one in the set over a prescribed period of time. This causes teeth to be realigned into more favourable positions as time goes by.

If you are a working parent then you know how difficult it can be to maintain a work-life balance and adding in constant trips to the dentist will make it all the more difficult. At Clear Braces Direct London we understand this, which is why we offer Invisalign as an exclusive treatment at our practice, so that you can take control of your orthodontic care and fit it easily into your own life no matter how busy you become. With the extra benefit of having a monthly payment plan, you can also fit this treatment into your monthly family budget.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an invisible clear aligner system available at Clear Braces Direct London that is used to straighten teeth and fix malocclusions. It is completely removable which has many benefits including; being able to eat all the foods you love, being easy to clean and able to fit easily into a highly professional lifestyle without interfering with image or speech.

How does it work?

At a consultation appointment for Invisalign at Clear Braces Direct London, you will be able to discuss your smile goals with your dentist and what exactly you hope to gain from orthodontic treatment as a working parent. We will take photos and X-rays of your teeth to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this treatment. Once this has been confirmed we can take a completely painless 3D scan of your mouth and teeth, the information gathered by this technology is then uploaded into a computer where a 3D model is created of your smile. We can use this model to create a simulation of how your teeth will shift over time and show you what the results will be before treatment even begins.

Once you are happy with the plan we create for your orthodontic care we send this information off to a lab which creates your first set of clear aligners. These aligners will be sent to you in a pack and you will need to change them yourself. This can be done wherever it is most convenient for you, at home or the office and a unique app helps us keep an eye on your treatment without you having to interrupt your hectic schedule.

What can it fix?

This treatment was invented in the nineties and has come a long way since then, with Invisalign today we are able to treat crooked and overcrowded teeth, gapped teeth and even teeth whose roots have had significant movement.

There are also levels of malocclusions that we are able to take care of too like; overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite which means that not only are we going to get your teeth straight but we will also get the top row sitting nicely above the bottom row as they should for that gorgeous Hollywood smile.

After your teeth are straight

Looking for that final element to help you close a business deal and also look great in the family Christmas photo? Then getting a whitening treatment after your Invisalign is a sure way to improve upon your new perfection.

At Clear Braces Direct London, we focus on orthodontics and straightening your teeth with a state of the art system called Invisalign. Because our dentist focuses solely on this care and not on things like root canals or fillings, we are able to provide you with the diamond treatment for Invisalign. Further than that, we have payment plans and retainer plans for life which means that we can keep your teeth straight with a new retailer each year with an added bonus of having the option to whiten your teeth after orthodontic treatment, which means you are getting that natural Hollywood smile in the full package.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an advanced and almost invisible clear aligner system available at Clear Braces Direct London that is used to straighten teeth. It is completely removable which has many benefits including being able to eat all the foods you love, being easy to clean and better safety in sports (in so much as there are no metal elements to cut the soft tissue in your mouth).

What can it fix?

This treatment was invented in the nineties and has come a long way since then, with Invisalign today we are able to treat crooked and overcrowded teeth, gapped teeth and even teeth whose roots have had significant movement.

There are also levels of malocclusions that we are able to take care of too like overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite which means that not only are we going to get your teeth straight but we will also get the top row sitting nicely above the bottom row as they should for that gorgeous Hollywood smile.

How does it work?

At a consultation appointment for Invisalign at Clear Braces Direct London, you will be able to discuss with your dentist your smile goals and what exactly you hope to gain from orthodontic treatment. We will take photos and X-rays of your teeth to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this treatment, once this has been confirmed we can take a special and completely painless 3D scan of your mouth and teeth, the information gathered by this technology is uploaded into a computer where a 3D model is created of your smile. We can use this model to create a simulation of how your teeth will shift over time and show you what the results will be before treatment even begins.

Once you are happy with the plan we create for your orthodontic care we send this information off to a lab which then creates your first set of clear aligners. These aligners will be sent to you in a pack and you will need to change them yourself.

After your teeth are straight

Your teeth are always going to want to slide back into their old positions, which is why having a retainer is very important after the treatment is complete. Wearing this retainer will ensure that your teeth stay in their proper positions for life and with our lifetime plans we are able to ensure that you always have a retainer nearby.

We are an Invisalign Diamond Provider which means that we partner with Invisalign and offer our patients every treatment they’ve ever invented for maximum results time and time again. This is all that we do, our dentists are not distracted by other patients who need root canals or implants, all we do is focus on orthodontics and Invisalign because it is the best, most discreet option for all patients that want results quickly and with over 5000 successful cases and counting, all you need ask is how Clear Braces Direct London can help you?

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to treat just about any orthodontic issue, it offers a comprehensive treatment plan directly through Clear Braces Direct London which means that you are getting first-hand knowledge of the system through years of wide orthodontic experience from our dentists.

What can we fix?

There is a list of orthodontic issues that Invisalign can fix:

Gapped teeth – whether there are gaps in your top or bottom arches or both, this often occurs when the teeth are too small for the dental arch and grow with spaces between this. This is most commonly found in the front teeth and Invisalign can be used to reposition all the teeth so that they fit snugly next to one another without any gaps.

Overcrowded teeth – overcrowding occurs when the dental arch is too small to fit all the teeth next to one another, in this case, our highly trained and experienced dentists will be able to file tiny gaps between the teeth to remove very small parts of the enamel away so that the teeth can be gently pushed into place by the clear aligner and fit neatly next to one another.

Malocclusions – a malocclusion is a problem with the bite, this can be overbite or underbites. Crossbites or open bites, by using special hooks and buttons on the teeth (Completely unnoticeable) our dentists are able to position the clear aligners in such a way that they pull your jaw into the correct position.

What can’t we fix?

While Invisalign can help the majority of orthodontic cases, there are some which may need traditional braces first before moving onto clear aligners:

Skew tooth – if a tooth has grown out facing the wrong way, it may be impossible for Invisalign to turn it in its position, this will first need to be done with brackets and wires before moving onto Invisalign for the rest of the teeth.

Supernumerary teeth – adults should not have more than 32 permanent teeth, but in some cases, people may grow extra teeth behind or in front of their permanent teeth or even in the pallet. Invisalign cannot pull these teeth into position as they do not fit in the dental arch nor can it successfully correct the other teeth as there is no space to shift them. Patients with this issue may need extractions before orthodontics care is administered at Clear Braces Direct London.

Yes, you read that correctly, at Clear Braces Direct London, we incorporate the use of apps on your mobile in order to help you take control of your own orthodontic care. Our aim is to give you the tools to do so in order for you to get the most out of your personal treatment plan as well as life without being hindered by multiple in practice appointments which are time consuming and inconvenient. Whether you’re a working professional or a student, it is always easier to just pick up your phone when you need something and now you can do that for your orthodontic care as well.

What the Dental Monitoring App does

This is your access to an innovative monitoring solution that will take care of all your orthodontic Invisalign treatments. It gives you access to a new path for improving dental care and practices which allows us to accurately monitor your oral care outside of the practice thus offering you a more convenient solution to regular orthodontic checkups at Clear Braces Direct London.

What you get

Once you have been deemed suitable for Invisalign and got your first pack of aligners our dentist will give you a dedicated access code to use the app, giving you a direct line to us throughout your treatment period. You will also receive a special cheek retractor to help you take good photos of your teeth and the in-app tutorial guide will teach you how to do it all correctly.

What functions does the app perform?

The Dental Monitoring app serves more than one purpose:

Reminders – we understand that most people are too busy to stay on top of remembering a small thing like changing a retainer every week, our app has dedicated reminders to help keep you on track with your next clear aligner in the treatment and the direct line so staff can follow up on these reminders to ensure you are keeping on track.

Monitoring – this is the main purpose of the Dental Monitoring app, it allows us to keep an eye on the movement of your teeth each week with helpful photographs taken by yourself in order to avoid unnecessary in house appointments. If we see that something is not moving as it should (which is not often the case if you are using your aligners correctly) then we can schedule you an appointment if necessary.

Keeping in contact – any questions or concerns you have during treatment can be sent through the app directly to our staff and dentists who are able to assist you remotely wherever possible, which means that we can determine how necessary it is for you to come in for concern or whether or not we can walk you through your experience without a face to face visit at Clear Braces Direct London.

Benefits

The Dental Monitoring apps main benefit is to provide you with convenience in your orthodontic care but further than that it provides our dentists with the ability to monitor your teeth movements remotely.

Everyone is talking about the revolutionary orthodontic treatment you can find at Clear Braces Direct London with Invisalign and it’s easy to see why; perfectly discreet, fast-acting, and effective, clear aligners are the smart choice when it comes to fixing your teeth and transforming your smile. But is that it? After everything is said and done is your beautiful smile finally complete or is there a little more you can do to ensure perfection? Well, yes. Your smile will, of course, be fixed but that isn’t the end of the road, is it white? Is it bright? And will it last? These are some of the questions we will be answering in this article.

The ultimate transformation

So you’re about to finish your Invisalign treatment with Clear Braces Direct London or you have just taken out your final aligner and your teeth are exactly where you want them to be, straight with no gaps or overcrowding, but is this exactly how you want them, or is there something missing that you can’t figure out? While the biggest part of a smile transformation is straightening crooked teeth, the next step is whitening and brightening, what’s the point in a perfect grin if it’s dull and yellow?

If you truly want to reach peak confidence in your smile then we advise a whitening treatment to lift stains and brighten your teeth and this is done in the same way that we set up the clear aligner treatment; a 3D scan will be taken of your new perfect smile and a tooth-shaped tray will be printed in order for you to inject it with our whitening treatment and clip over your teeth so that the whitening gel with perfectly enhance your now wonderfully straight teeth and complete the transformation process.

The longevity of straight teeth

By getting the Invisalign treatment at Clear Braces Direct London you have made a particular investment in your image and we know that you want to maintain that investment for as long as possible, which is why we have a program for you to sign up to that will provide you with retainers for life because, unfortunately, your new straight teeth are going to want to shift back to their old positions. This is just the natural way of the body which we can’t switch off, however we can maintain your straight smile for life with a custom retainer that ensures your teeth stay where they are supposed to. Created in exactly the same way your whitening trays and aligners were made, retainers will be replaced once a year and if you wear them for the recommended amount of hours per day (usually while you are sleeping) then we can guarantee the longevity of your smile.

Monthly payment plans are available to get annual retainers and we also offer a smile guarantee insurance plan that will help you get your straight smile back should you have spent too long without wearing your retainer.

With over 5400 successful cases and counting, we at Clear Braces Direct London have the numbers to prove that Invisalign can absolutely work for you. Whether you are wanting to close gaps, fix overcrowding, reposition teeth or even fix malocclusion, there is a treatment plan that fits into your lifestyle so seamlessly that the only change you will notice is the stunning results at the end. With a free first consultation and scan, as well as payment plan options, there is no reason to hold back on getting this treatment to fix your teeth and get the smile you deserve. Genetics aren’t always kind to us but now there is actually something you can do about it.

The need for orthodontics

The reason behind why you may need to undergo orthodontic treatment could be down to one of a few different things:

Malocclusions – this is when your bite doesn’t quite line up; you may have a crossbite, overbite or underbite which means there is uneven pressure on different points in your tooth arches. This can lead to some serious jaw issues if not properly addressed. Malocclusions can be genetic disorders but they can also stem from bad habits in early childhood like thumbsucking or even serious injuries you may have sustained at some point in your life.

Injury – crooked teeth can be the result of serious facial trauma, maybe you were enjoying some extreme sports and fell on your face which resulted in pushing a tooth out of place but not quite knocking it, no matter the circumstances, a hard enough knock could jar your teeth out of their proper position.

Genetics – as unavoidable as the nose on your face, our tooth genetics can be defined by our parents, often those with gaps or overcrowding can see the same issues in their biological make-up, either way, it can be fixed at Clear Braces Direct London.

Traditional braces vs. Clear aligners

Traditional braces are fast becoming a thing of the past, preferred by young teens who still have a lot of growing to do and not adults with busy professional lives. While traditional metal braces pull the teeth into position over the course for 2 years, Invisalign at Clear Braces Direct London gently pushes them into place in 4-6 months giving you a natural and beautiful smile quickly without the unsightly metal on your teeth. It is believed that clear aligners are far more comfortable than traditional braces, almost completely removing the discomfort that comes with antiquated orthodontic treatments and because these appliances are removable for short periods of time, you can eat all the foods you normally would as well as taking part in any leisure and sporting activities without concern of personal oral injury or damage to the appliance.

The initial scan of your teeth, which will be used to calculate how your teeth are expected to shift with treatment, is pain and hassle-free and it is used to create your custom 3D printed aligners which you will use over the course of your treatment.

If you are an adult with a misaligned smile, you may feel that you are too old to undertake corrective orthodontic treatment. Or, you may believe that if you are suitable for orthodontic options, you will more than likely have to wear the good old fashioned orthodontic (or metal) brace.

Luckily, this is not the only option available for adults who wish to straighten their teeth. A range of clear and invisible braces are now able to achieve many of the effects of metal braces,

without the hassle of the large brackets and wires. Depending on your unique clinical issues, you may be more suited to either a more targeted brace, like the Inman Aligner or you may be able to undertake treatment with the famous Invisalign brace.

When you come to Clear Braces Direct in London, our team will be able to help you with every stage of Invisalign treatment to enable you to achieve that perfect smile that you have always wanted. Our team has helped thousands of patients using Invisalign and can answer any questions or concerns that you may have about using this brace.

But, just to save some time, our team at Clear Braces Direct in London have answered some of the most commonly asked questions from patients about Invisalign. Enjoy!

Does Invisalign treatment take longer?

In a word, no.

On average, realignments with clear or invisible braces offer accelerated treatments for patients, with the average treatment being around 6 months.

However, depending on your clinical situation, you may have to wear the brace for a slightly longer period or even a shorter one!

Will it impact my speech?

The Invisalign brace is thin by design, but when you have your first retainer put on by our team at Clear Braces Direct in London, it will take some getting used to.

So, we advise that you try to speak more frequently in the first few days of having the brace, so you can get used to talking while they are in.

Do I need to avoid certain foods while wearing the brace?

One key difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is that you are free to eat as you were before, without having to avoid certain foods.

However, it is advised that you invest in a small toothbrush to carry with you; although you will remove your brace while you eat, your teeth will need brushing before you put it back in.

How exactly does the brace work?

Invisalign is custom-fitted to your mouth and, depending on the severity of the initial misalignment, you will have a variable number of aligners to straighten your teeth. Using gentle pressure, these aligners will move your misaligned teeth into the desired position, without tightening or adjustments.

Which conditions can it treat?

Invisalign can treat excess spacing, crowding, overlapping and certain types of over, under and crossbites. It is also used to treat misalignments of varying degrees, correct issues with symmetry and to straighten teeth of uneven lengths. Brilliant!

When you decide to undertake adult orthodontic treatment, it is likely that you will have questions.

While a quick internet search can provide you with answers in relation to things like the fitting, the aftercare and even how to handle the discomfort that may arise, there are few articles which address how wearing an invisible brace will impact on your day-to-day life. And, as any former Invisalign patient will tell you, it will.

Having a removable brace in your mouth may seem ideal to many people, but with this additional convenient feature comes a whole array of tricks and tips that you will need to help you adapt and cope throughout the treatment. Indeed, you cannot expect to simply pop the braces in as and when and expect them to work, so when you are given the all green for treatment with Invisalign, you need to know some tricks to make the process go smoothly.

At Clear Braces Direct in London, our team specialises in treating patients with Invisalign and can, therefore, answer any questions that you may have which relate to the treatment, the wearing and of course, the aftercare. Our team has helped over 5,000 patients get through the Invisalign treatment to get their desired smile, so we know a few things that will keep the process simple!

So, what are some hints to make those first 2 weeks wearing Invisalign easier? Our team at Clear Braces Direct in London has the following tips.

Carry a toothbrush

OK, so tip number one from our team at Clear Braces Direct in London is to invest in a travel-sized toothbrush.

When you wear Invisalign, you will need to remove the brace when you eat food and, if you travel a lot, you will need to remove any residue before you pop the brace back in. Enter the travel toothbrush!

This will stop food being pressed against your teeth and gums, which in turn, will prevent inflammatory issues like gum disease and tooth decay.

No hot water

Cleaning your braces is important for their upkeep.

Even if you have a stubborn stain on the retainer, do not use hot water to remove it! As these retainers are made from plastic, soaking them in hot water may cause their customised shape to warp, which will obviously render them useless and waste money.

Keep them in the case

When you begin treatment, you will be given a carry case. If the braces are not in your mouth, keep them in the case to prevent them from getting broken.

Dental wax

Sore spots on your tongue caused by frequent rubbing? Ask our team for some dental wax to smooth the sharper edges and invest in anti-inflammatory mouthwash.

Stick with it

Many patients are initially shocked by how complicated this brace seems to be to maintain. Our team’s advice is to stick with it; once you make it past the first few weeks, the process will be second nature and the benefits will begin to show. Brilliant!

Since the invention of clear and invisible braces, the world of adult orthodontics has changed.

Correcting anything from minor misalignment to complex crowding is now achievable without a metal brace and, understandably, many dental patients are happier to wear a brace that is discreet and painless.

But, like most things in life, treatment with invisible braces such as Invisalign is not for everyone. And do be aware, when you type in ‘Invisalign treatments’ into any internet search engine, you are likely to come across some stories of this brace failing to correct dental issues or even making them worse!

However, before you decide that treatment with Invisalign is not for you, it is important to differentiate between the facts about this aligner and the myths that you find online.

At Clear Braces Direct in London, treating patients with Invisalign is our team’s speciality! We know everything there is to know about this brace and can accurately assess whether or not you will benefit from undertaking treatment with it. We will guide you through every step and ensure that once that invisible aligner is off, that you will be beaming with pride at the final result.

So, what are the most common online myths that our team at Clear Braces Direct in London hears about Invisalign?

Invisalign requires your teeth to be filed down

No, it doesn’t.

While this practice may be seen in some cases of traditional braces being fitted, our team at Clear Braces Direct in London do not actively file down teeth prior to Invisalign braces being placed.

Any dentist can use Invisalign on their patients

Although Invisalign does not require an orthodontist in the same way that regular braces do, it is important to check that the dentist you undertake Invisalign with is trained with using this brace. All of our team at Clear Braces Direct are trained to use Invisalign, so if you choose to undergo treatment with our team, you know you are getting the best!

You need to have teeth removed to fit this brace

Once again, this seems to be a myth that materialised in the world of traditional braces and made its way into cosmetic dentistry.

While each case is unique, it is unlikely that our team will need to remove any of your teeth for Invisalign to work correctly.

Treatment time is shorter than that of metal braces

Both Invisalign and metal braces work at roughly the same speed.

On average, Invisalign treatment can be completed in as little as 6 months, however, for more complex cases of misalignment, you may need to wear the invisible aligner for up to 2 years. It will be worth it, we promise!

Complex cases cannot be treated with Invisalign

Our team has helped many patients who have had complex bites, misalignments, extreme crowding and even spacing issues get the perfect smile that they deserve with the help of Invisalign. Depending on your clinical presentation, you may be surprised at what conditions this brace can reverse.