Clear Orthodontic Aligners For Discreet Teeth Straightening
From clear aligners to traditional metal braces, Yorkshire Dental Suite provides a number of teeth straightening options to patients – start your journey today and book a consultation.
What are clear orthodontic aligners? This popular teeth straightening treatment quickly (and discreetly) shifts teeth into alignment. Almost invisible in the mouth, they are a great option for those wanting to restore confidence in their smile without wearing unsightly metal braces.
How clear aligners work
The clear aligner process is very simple, with the majority of the treatment being carried out from the comfort of home. Compared to fixed braces that require constant adjustments at the dentist, patients only need to attend 3 – 5 appointments in total with Yorkshire Dental Suite clear aligners.
Consultation
Your journey begins with a free E-consultation. First, you will talk to a clear aligner consultant about your smile goals and concerns, who will then examine your teeth and suggest the most appropriate treatment package.
- Refresh: Suitable for mild relapses caused by not wearing retainers
- Mild: Ideal for closing small gaps and straightening a few teeth
- Moderate: For people who have been told they might need braces
- Complex: Designed to address more severe crowding
Scans
The next step is to go to your designated practice for 3D scans of your mouth. Your dentist will also conduct an oral health examination to check you are eligible for treatment. Using these scans your custom-made trays are created, which will be ready to pick up from the clinic within 10 – 14 working days.
Remedial work
Your oral health should be in a generally healthy condition before getting started. Therefore, if issues such as gum disease or tooth decay were identified in your scan appointment, these will need to be fixed prior to having your aligners fitted. This can increase the treatment timeline and your overall spending.
Fitting
It’s now time for the day of your fitting. If needed, your teeth will be shaved down slightly (a process called IPR) to give them the space needed to move. Don’t worry – this step will have been identified in your plan.
Transparent nubs are attached to the surface of each tooth, which are what the aligners attach to, before your dentist shows you how to remove and re-insert the trays. After receiving your full aligner set, it is then time to go home and get started.
Begin treatment at home
Clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours per day to be fully effective. Only remove your trays when eating and brushing your teeth, or while taking part in recreational activities such as playing an instrument or exercising. Wear each set of trays for the designated amount of time before moving onto the next set in your pre-determined plan.
Clear orthodontics fact file
Your dedicated clear aligner consultant will talk you through everything you need to know about this treatment in your consultation. In the meantime, here is a bite-sized snippet of the key information.
- Made from: Zendura® FLX, a transparent dental material
- Treatment duration: 3 months – 12 months+ (case dependent)
- Suitable for: Mild, moderate and severe malocclusions
- Age: Kids, teens and adults
- Visits to the dentist: 3 – 5
- Price: From £1,495
- Removable: Yes
- Available on the NHS: No
Pros and cons of clear aligners
Like any dental procedure, there are pros and cons. Please take these into consideration prior to booking your appointment and ask your dentist any questions you have before going ahead with the treatment.
Advantages of clear aligners | Disadvantages of clear aligners |
Very fast results – some of our patients see results in as little as 3 months | Aligners rely heavily on the discipline of the patient and if they remember to wear |
Your mouth trays are removable. This means you can eat without restriction | As they are able to be removed, there is a risk of losing the aligners |
Their transparent design makes them almost invisible when worn | Our trays are strong, but still susceptible to damage – care needs to be taken |
Aligners are very effective, treating multiple alignment issues | You may have a temporary lisp as you adjust to the feel of your aligners |
Cheaper than certain fixed orthodontic appliances, like lingual braces | Not available on the NHS, meaning you will need to pay for private treatment |
There’s no wires or brackets interrupting your teeth cleaning routine | Teeth straightening can be a painful process at times |
Conclusion:
Clear aligners are a commitment, both in terms of time and costs. However, the end result is completely worth it – beautiful straight teeth that you are proud to show off. Book a consultation with Yorkshire Dental Suite today.