Before, During, And After Invisalign: Understanding The End-To-End Process

Invisalign is a treatment which is advertised across countless dental surgeries, pointing patients towards straighter teeth and a more confident smile as a result. But what these posters don’t do is share the end-to-end process, from preparing for Invisalign through to treatment itself and what happens when it’s complete.

In this blog, we’re sharing a basic guide to everything you can expect from Invisalign in Essex – including the criteria for eligibility, and how to prolong results for as long as possible.

Before: Preparing For Invisalign Treatment

In order to start Invisalign treatment, you first need to book an initial consultation. During this consultation, your dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your mouth – not just looking at the structure and placement of your teeth but also checking your gums and overall oral hygiene.

Any underlying issues need to be resolved prior to starting Invisalign – something which patients should bear in mind from both a financial and timeline perspective.

Once you’re ready to start treatment, your dentist will use a mould to take an impression of your teeth and map the projected movement during a course of Invisalign. This helps to manage expectations and ensures that you know the results that can be expected if you follow the process properly.

The Process: What Does Invisalign Involve?

If all goes well and you decide to start Invisalign treatment, you move into stage two: the process.
Using various scans and moulds, your dentist will produce a series of trays which are worn in the order stated – giving each aligner around 1-2 weeks before moving on to the next aligner. Made of a thin and non-toxic plastic, these aligners are designed to follow the gradual movement of your teeth into a straighter position, ensuring consistent movement.

Regular checkups are recommended to ensure that the treatment is progressing as expected and to fix any issues or concerns that you have with regard to the aligners. The total length of treatment depends solely on the patient and can fall anywhere between 6 and 12 months.

In order to ensure maximum results and an efficient process, which provides the results that you expect and hope for, you need to:

• Ensure good oral hygiene throughout treatment
• Commit to wearing the aligners for around 22 hours of the day
• Follow the guidance of your dentist regarding how long to wear each aligner before changing to the next in the set

After: Caring For Your Smile Post-Invisalign

Upon completion of Invisalign treatment, patients are given a retainer by their dentist. This is designed to be worn overnight – every night – to ensure that your teeth stay in their new position and do not move back into their original structure.

Invisalign can produce enviable results for those who follow the process correctly and provides the added benefits of being subtle, convenient, and easy to keep clean and maintain throughout. To find out more about Invisalign and your eligibility, get in touch with your local dentist directly.