So, you’ve decided to try out invisible braces? Good for you!
Once a mere pipedream of adults across the UK, invisible braces offers a visually discrete alternative to traditional orthodontic options, while also giving you a straighter smile, on average, in under a year. Perfect for an upcoming wedding, or another special event.
But, like most things that are new (especially in the field of dentistry), invisible braces are surrounded by an air of mystery; how do they work? What can you expect? Will you need to wear them for longer? Indeed, one of the most worrying parts of the entire process for patients is what to expect at the appointments; is the fitting uncomfortable? Is there a mold to bite into?
Not to worry! In this article, these questions and more surrounding the process of having Invisalign Glasgow fitted will be answered.
The initial appointment
At your first appointment, your dentist will examine your mouth to assess your suitability for Invisalign. Remember, your overall health has to also be good for this treatment to be pursued, so any cavities, gum disease or plaque needs to be gotten rid of before proceeding.
Discuss how you want your final smile to look and, hopefully, the dentist will give you the go-ahead to start treatment with an invisible brace.
Molding process
Remember those videos of people biting into a gooey, grey mold?
Nowadays, invisible braces come with a digital scanner; your dentist will place the scanner into your mouth and a 3D image will be taken in under 60 seconds; better accuracy and no horrible tasting dental clay!
These images are sent to a laboratory so your custom-fitted aligners can be created, which should take up to about 10 days.
First tray fitting
Once your trays are returned to your dentist, it’s time to go in for the fitting!
Placed over your teeth and fitting snugly like a glove, your invisible braces may feel slightly tight but that is normal. They are removable and during your treatment, as you go through the set of trays, you will be required to wear them for up to 22 hours per day.
Your dentist will discuss with you at this stage how to clean them properly, how to ensure they are fitted correctly and with any other queries you have answered, you are good to go!
Check-ups
No two mouths are the same and therefore, you may have to adhere to a more frequent check-up schedule than another person also has an invisible aligner.
Fret not, though. Unlike traditional metal braces, invisible braces do not require tightening or reattaching; simply attend your dental appointments as scheduled so your dentist can check the progress.
Remember, on average, you will be wearing these braces for 6 months and that time will fly by!
Voila! Once your teeth are straightened, you will be given a custom-fitted aligner to wear, to ensure your teeth do not move back into their former misaligned positions. And voila! Enjoy showing off your straighter smile!