In our Liverpool-based cosmetic dental surgery, we see plenty of patients looking to straighten up their smiles. Some of them opt for clear aligners treatment, a modern orthodontic solution that is more subtle than traditional forms of orthodontics such as metal braces. As the use of Clear Aligners has soared within the past decade due to its many discreet, flexible benefits, you probably already know someone who is undergoing or has undergone treatment – though you might not have noticed!
As the number of patients we see seeking clear aligner consultations is increasing, we’ve decided to put together a handy guide on what to expect at your first appointment. Read on to find out exactly what your first visit with us will entail, and what you should know.
Oral Health Check
As is usual before proceeding with any orthodontic treatment, we will check your overall oral and dental health before committing to any longer-term plans. This is because we need to check you don’t have any underlying issues or concerns that need fixing beforehand. With clear aligners, you will have to commit to wearing the clear bespoke-made aligner trays for at least 22 hours per day. This means your teeth will essentially be encapsulated within the aligners, and any outstanding problems could potentially worsen if we don’t treat them first.
If you do need any treatment before we go ahead with your aligners plan, we will aim to get minor fixes done during your consultation appointment. Alternatively, and for more complex issues, we may need to book you in for another appointment. Having any concerns fixed is a vital part of the aligner process, so do let us know at your consultation if you have been worried about any part of your oral health.
Dental Scans and X-Rays
Clear aligners uses high-tech scanning and x-ray equipment to model and prepare your bespoke aligner trays. As each set of aligners are made to fit each patient, these scans are a vital part of the process. We will take dental scans and x-rays of your teeth in order to model exactly where your aligners should push or pull your teeth into place – and this also gives us a great before and after comparison to check we’re meeting your smile goals!
Will Clear Aligners Work Best for Your Smile Goals?
Clear aligners are one of the most technologically advanced orthodontic treatments available today, as well as being one of the most discreet ways to straighten teeth. However, it’s not the only form of orthodontic treatment we do recommend to patients!
Aligners can work wonders on fixing minor adjustments, gradually shifting teeth into place. In some situations, clear aligners may not be the most effective form of treatment. Our experienced team will always be honest in recommending the best option to help you achieve your smile goals – with decades of experience in the industry, we know what works and what doesn’t. Clear aligners are not usually recommended for:
-
Uneven Tooth Size or Shape
If your teeth are really uneven in size or shape, you may struggle to wear the aligners. We have often found patients with extremely short or worn down teeth may not be able to keep the aligners in place, though there are other forms of cosmetic dentistry that may help with the uniformity of your smile – such as porcelain veneers.
-
Issues with Jaw Alignment, or Severe Misalignment
Aligners can help with minor misalignment issues, but more severe problems may require metal braces.
-
Larger Gaps (Diastema)
If you have a gap larger than 6mm, clear aligners will likely not be able to exert the forces required to push those teeth together.
-
Tooth Rotation
Clear aligners can fix some degree of tooth rotation, though more severe cases may require metal braces.
-
Dental Bridges
It is difficult to wear aligners over a dental bridge, as these fit over a number of teeth.
If you also feel you won’t be able to commit to the recommended 22 hours a day of wear time, aligners may not be the best option for you. We may instead recommend you opt for a non-removable orthodontic treatment instead. This is why we sometimes recommend alternative treatments for children or toddlers.
Discussing Payment Options
At Kamran Rasul – The Dental Clinic, we are clear and upfront about our dental service packages and fees. We also offer 0% interest finance plans to help spread out the price of treatment over a few months. You can find out if you’re eligible by speaking to our team.
Our treatment is available at a range of price points within our Liverpool surgery.
-
Single row teeth straightening: £2,000
-
Upper and lower row teeth straightening: £3,000
-
Upper and lower row teeth straightening with whitening treatment: £3,500
What Happens During Treatment?
Following your consultation, your scans and x-rays will be sent to the lab. This is where a bespoke-made set of aligner trays will be created for you to wear. Once they arrive back in our Liverpool office, we will invite you in for a fitting.
Clear aligners work as we will gradually replace each set of aligners with a set that pulls or pushes teeth closer to their desired position. This means you will have to return to the surgery to have regular fittings, and so we can check on how your teeth are progressing. Regular appointments are all included in the fees, and can also help us check your dental health is well maintained.
Following your treatment, you may want to boost your smile further with teeth whitening! We do offer upper and lower teeth straightening with a whitening treatment as a package, though you could always wait to see the results before deciding whether you’d like a further upgrade.
FAQs
We do get a lot of questions about clear aligners, and many of these are answered on our Liverpool treatment page.
Get a Straighter Smile with Kamran Rasul
At Kamran Rasul – The Dental Clinic, our friendly team are dedicated to making our Liverpool dental patients smile every day. To book in with us for your consultation, call us on 0151 433 9634 now!
