In our Liverpool-based cosmetic dental surgery, we see plenty of patients looking to straighten up their smiles. Some of them opt for Invisalign treatment, a modern orthodontic solution that is more subtle than traditional forms of orthodontics such as metal braces. As the use of Invisalign 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 Invisalign consultations is increasing, we’ve decided to put together a handy guide on what to expect at your first Invisalign 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 Invisalign, 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 Invisalign 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 Invisalign 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
Invisalign 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 Invisalign 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 Invisalign Work Best for Your Smile Goals?
Invisalign is 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!
Invisalign can work wonders on fixing minor adjustments, gradually shifting teeth into place. In some situations, Invisalign 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. Invisalign is 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
Invisalign 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, Invisalign will likely not be able to exert the forces required to push those teeth together.
Tooth Rotation
Invisalign can fix some degree of tooth rotation, though more severe cases may require metal braces.
Dental Bridges
It is difficult to wear Invisalign 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, Invisalign 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, 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.
Invisalign 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 Invisalign Treatment?
Following your Invisalign consultation, your scans and x-rays will be sent to the Invisalign 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.
Invisalign works 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 Invisalign fees, and can also help us check your dental health is well maintained.
Following your Invisalign 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 About Invisalign
We do get a lot of questions about Invisalign, and many of these are answered on our Invisalign Liverpool treatment page.
Get a Straighter Smile with Kamran Rasul
At Kamran Rasul, our friendly team are dedicated to making our Liverpool dental patients smile every day. To book in with us for your Invisalign consultation, call us on 0151 433 9634 now!
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