Discreet and extremely effective - this is modern teeth straightening

Clear aligners are suitable for children, teens and adults. To be eligible for clear aligners you should fit the following criteria:

• Have mild-severe malocclusions including overbite, underbite, crossbite, crooked teeth, gap teeth, crowded teeth or open bite
• Be an adult over 18 seeking private dental care
• Have no missing teeth
• Have no cavities
• Have no gum disease
• Want a solution that fits around your lifestyle
• Be able to commit to wearing aligners for 22 hours each day with a treatment plan lasting on average between 4-9 months

Why get clear teeth aligners?

Clear aligners are a more convenient and affordable alternative to dental braces.

• Removable, take them out when eating, drinking and exercising
• Almost invisible: made from clear Zendura® FLX, they are barely noticeable when worn
• Suitable for mild-moderate malocclusions: from single twisted teeth to more severe orthodontic issues
• Easy to clean using standard denture cleaning tablets
• Requires fewer dental visits (take less time off work)
• Eat what you like; does not restrict your diet as food doesn’t get caught in wires
• Low cost: treatment is cheaper than braces and requires less time off work
• Does not require an orthodontist; treatments can be completed by a dentist

When braces are a better choice

Braces are a treatment typically used on children between the age of 13-18 and is available the NHS. Adults cannot have braces through the NHS and instead have to pay privately for this treatment. Adults braces are recommended for the most severe cases, where aligners would take too long or be unable to move a tooth due to its irregular position within the mouth.

Down-side of clear aligners

To be fully transparent, we have listed some of the down-sides of having this treatment. These include:

• Not suitable for children
• Not available through the NHS
• Requires commitment: Wear your aligners for 22 hours per day for between 4-9 months on average
• Avoid staining food and drink, to keep your aligners clean it is best to avoid tomato sauces, coffee, blackcurrant and other foods known to cause stains
• Can be painful at first as your teeth become mobile, this eases over time
• Composite attachments may cause slight discolouration of your teeth; this can be whitened using teeth whitening treatments
• Requires use of a retainer each night after your treatment is complete to maintain results

Aligners are one of many options available to you. Each is designed to treat a different type of malocclusion.

Clear teeth aligners

Clear aligners are the most convenient way to straighten your teeth and are not available from the NHS. Each custom-made aligner is engineered to push individual teeth into alignment along a pre-determined path. Used in serial, each new set of aligners moves your teeth to the next milestone in their journey. Aligners are removable and made from transparent plastic so you can wear them confidently throughout the day without compromise. The average treatment time is between 4-9 months, with the patient wearing aligners for the prescribed 22 hours per day.

Orthodontic braces

Available free of charge for children under 18 on the NHS, braces are a traditional way to straighten teeth. Adults can request braces from your local private dentist; however, for the same price or less, clear aligners offer results over a shorter period of time, and also provide a better day-to-day experience.

Braces consist of brackets which are bonded to your teeth. A wire is secured between each bracket, allowing the dentist to apply tension and pull each tooth into a new position. Getting braces often means ongoing visits to the dentist to have the tension adjusted. This commitment can mean taking time off work with the associated financial implications, or seeking a provider who can offer out of hours appointments.

Pallet expander

A pallet expander is available for NHS patients but only in the most severe non-cosmetic reasons. Cosmetic treatments require a private dentist.

The expander is positioned across the roof of your mouth and designed to push teeth outwards. This helps treat crowding caused by teeth that are positioned more in the centre of your mouth or angled inwards.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces are not available from the NHS. If you would like this treatment please speak to your local private dentist.

Lingual braces are positioned on the inner side of each tooth and are used to push teeth into position from the back. This makes them a more discreet alternative compared to traditional orthodontic braces.

Headgear

Headgear is available free of charge for children under 18 on the NHS. Adults can request headgear from your local private dentist.

Headgear is used when teeth need to be both pushed and pulled into position. This requires support from both inside and outside the mouth.

Aligners, retainers and teeth whitening trays are manufactured from Zendura® FLX, a layered semi-flexible polymer which applies pressure to your teeth without being completely ridged. This material is BPA, phthalate, latex and gluten-free, making it ideal for dental treatments.

Zendura® FLX is transparent, allowing you to straighten your teeth without drawing attention to your mouth.

Cleaning your aligners

Keeping your aligners clean is important because letting bacteria and debris into your aligner can cause tooth decay and gum disease. The following steps will help to ensure your aligners are clean, remain transparent and continue to straighten your teeth without causing gum disease or cavities.

• Invest in an ultrasonic cleaner and clean your aligners daily using a denture cleaning tablet
• Use clean water and a soft baby toothbrush to clean your aligners if you do not have the above
• Have a glass of water with your meals and rinse your mouth frequently to help remove stains
• Avoid acidic foods which can damage your aligners

The procedure to get aligners is streamlined and designed to straighten your teeth in the shortest amount of time.

Consultation

It all starts with a consultation using the video chat app of your choice. Our bookings team will review your case and provide information on treatment options and costs.

Oral examination

The next step is an appointment at your local Yorkshire Dental Suite clinic. This costs just £95 and covers a thorough oral examination, 3D scan, X-rays and images, resulting in the creation of a custom treatment plan with final costs.

If any issues are found that would prevent your aligner treatment from being a success you will be offered additional procedures. These can include:

• Dental hygiene appointments
• Fillings
• Composite tooth repair

Creating your custom-made aligners

If you’re happy to proceed we will send your scans and plan to our dental laboratory, where your custom aligners will be created.

Fitting your aligners

At your next visit, you will have your teeth professionally cleaned, and composite resin attachments secured to your teeth. These allow your aligners to snap on and off your teeth.

Your dentist will guide you through your treatment plan, showing you how to put on and take off your aligners, when to move to the next set in the series, how to clean them, and what you should and shouldn’t do over the next few days as your teeth begin to move.

Check-ups

You will be asked to visit the dentist infrequently throughout your treatment. This allows us to check your progress and identify any issues that could arise.

Straight teeth

You will see progress quickly, with teeth moving into position typically over the next 4-9 months until you have a straight smile.

Maintaining straight teeth

To keep your teeth perfectly straight we recommend wearing a retainer while you sleep.

When you first fit your aligners, your teeth are not used to being moved within the gum. You will feel pressure against your teeth, which can cause some discomfort. This persists for around three days as you update with each new aligner in your series. To treat pain, use your choice of over-the-counter pain medication.

When you first take your aligners out, your teeth will feel strange. This is perfectly normal. We advise that you limit yourself to soft food during this period until your teeth feel normal again.

If you experience pain along your inner lip or think your aligner has a sharp edge and is cutting into your gums, please speak to your dentist. They can make an adjustment to your aligners.