At Neel Dentistry, we often get asked this question, and the short answer is that it is the brand name of a dental aligner. We all remember the years when children’s teeth were adorned with those metal blocks and wires to straighten their teeth. Those are called braces and are still in use today, but they have evolved into a far more discreet dental appliance. Aligners, such as Invisalign in Welwyn, also straighten your teeth but through quite a different process. They are made of a clear dental material and are, therefore, less conspicuous and almost invisible.

When are they used?

Invisalign in Welwyn can be used for children as young as 6 years old to develop their jaws and ensure that there is no overcrowding when their adult teeth erupt. Even adults can benefit from the use of aligners. A wide variety of conditions can be treated, especially overbites, underbites, crossbites and gapped teeth.

What is the procedure?

In the first instance, we will need to determine whether Invisalign in Welwyn is correct for your particular condition. We are all made differently, so we understand that no one treatment is suitable for all patients. You will need to come in for an appointment during which our dentist will thoroughly examine your oral cavity, identifying areas that require treatment. At this stage, we will advise you if you are a suitable candidate for treatment with Invisalign. If you are happy to proceed, we will use a digital scanner to get a 3D view of your teeth. Our equipment includes a screen that allows you to see this view as well as a virtual image of how your teeth could look after treatment. If you are satisfied with the predicted result, we will proceed to create a treatment plan for you.

Fitting stage

We will send the treatment plan off to the Invisalign laboratory, where they will transform the digital images into the clear trays that will be used for the treatment. Once the trays are sent over to us, we will arrange a fitting appointment during which we can fit your first aligner tray. These trays fit over the top and bottom teeth in the same way as a gumshield. Each tray is created with a slightly different orientation so that your teeth are gradually moved into the desired position. In some more complex cases, it may be necessary to use braces to add more pressure to move the teeth. For the treatment with aligners to be effective, we advise you to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. You may remove them before brushing, flossing, eating or drinking.

Monitoring progress

We will need to see you at least every four to six weeks so that we can monitor your progress and provide you with your next set of trays. The normal duration of treatment is around 12 months; however, more complex conditions may take longer.

Results in a confident and radiant smile

Once treatment is completed, we will provide you with a retainer that you should wear at night to give your teeth time to settle into their new position. You can then face the world, confident that when you smile, your beautifully straight teeth will complement your glowing face.