Dr Carelyn Gore of Arnica Dental Care in Cheltenham shares her secret to a new smile, without the discomfort of traditional style teeth braces

Crooked or misaligned teeth can cause untold concern for many people, affecting their confidence and their smile. Yet the idea of the traditional braces put many off trying to find a solution. Invisalign has been straightening smiles across the world since 1999 and offers a discreet and painless way to straighten teeth using a series of clear custom-made, discrete aligners.

Who can benefit from this treatment?

Invisalign can help most people with teeth alignment problems. From teenagers with fully, erupted permanent teeth to adults. Conditions that can be treated using Invisalign include over-crowded teeth, widely-spaced teeth, overbite, crossbite, mild orthodontic relapse (after traditional braces treatment) and simple bite irregularities.

What are the benefits over traditional systems of alignment?

What attracts many people to the Invisalign option is the attractiveness of the device itself. They are clear, barely visible aligners. These computer-manufactured appliances straighten the teeth without compromising one’s smile. Invisalign is removable and custom-fit, which means it slides comfortably over the surfaces of your teeth. The aligners must be removed when eating, drinking, brushing and flossing and should be worn for a minimum of 20 hours per day for the best performance.

How does it work?

The aligners are less than one millimetre in thickness, which means it’s less invasive than traditional orthodontic correction. During an initial consultation, impressions, radiographs and photos are taken of the teeth to generate a custom, computer-aided treatment plan. Invisalign’s CAD/CAM technology will then fabricate a sequence of aligners to achieve the desired tooth movement. Patients are generally given one or two sets of aligners during check-up visits that are normally spaced between four and six weeks apart. The duration of treatment can vary among individuals, but for most adults, treatment is completed within one year.

How effective is the Invisalign system?

The innovative, cutting-edge technology is why it is the number-one clear aligner of choice in the world among clinicians and patients alike. Invisalign is backed by over 20 years of clinical research and more than 700 patents.

Each aligner produces a specific tooth movement (horizontal, vertical, or rotation) to gently and gradually align the teeth into position. Invisalign aligners are engineered to apply the right amount of force in the right place at the right time. Invisalign’s unique ClinCheck® technology enables us to map your progress and predict the results you can expect. You can even track progress with a Smartphone app.

Patients can expect shorter treatment times compared to traditional fixed braces, plus more predictable tooth movement, improved comfort and convenience. With Invisalign you don’t need to worry about the gum and mouth irritation that other straightening methods can cause. The aligners are smooth and comfortable and can be removed. This means that you can maintain your normal diet and you can clean your teeth and gums more effectively and efficiently compared to other orthodontic alternatives. It also allows little interruption to life and can suit those with a busy schedule.

At Arnica we offer a comprehensive range of dental treatments. Our team is committed to maximising the oral health and wellbeing of patients and this means offering the incredible Invisalign procedure for those who want healthy, straight teeth without inconvenience. As you go about your day-to-day, Invisalign will move your teeth incrementally – each tiny shift, gently taking you a step closer to perfectly-aligned teeth.

Carelyn Gore is a certified Invisalign practitioner at Arnica Dental Care. For a free no-obligation consultation call 01242 801677 or request a call back on the Arnica Dental Care website.