Consisting of a series of transparent plastic removable aligners, Invisalign is the “clear alternative to braces”. A highly appealing option for teenagers or adults, Invisalign aligners are designed to put gentle pressure on your teeth to guide them into their correct alignment. In some cases, discrete clear or tooth-coloured buttons (“attachments”) and clear elastics may be included in your treatment.
To begin treatment with Invisalign, a digital scan of your teeth is taken. This is sent to the Invisalign laboratory, along with a detailed treatment plan designed by Dr Austin. From this, a digital three-dimensional preview of your treatment is developed, which will be shown to you like a very short film, known as a “ClinCheck”.
Once you have viewed your ClinCheck, Dr Austin will order your Invisalign aligners and, upon their arrival, commence your bespoke treatment.
Based on you and your orthodontic concerns, your course of Invisalign treatment will fall into one of four categories: Invisalign Full, Invisalign Lite, Invisalign i7, or Invisalign Teen.
Invisalign Full
The most frequently prescribed course of Invisalign treatment, Invisalign Full offers an unlimited number of aligners and the most flexibility in treating a wide range of orthodontic concerns. Invisalign full might address crowding, spacing, and several other orthodontic conditions.
InvisalignModerate
Designed for patients whose needs fall between Full and Lite, Invisalign Moderate offers a fixed number of aligners, as well as customisable options including compliance indicators (see Teen below).
Invisalign Lite
Providing a fixed number of aligners, treatment with Invisalign Lite is limited to the more minor orthodontic concerns. As such, treatment with Lite is often for a shorter duration than cases treated with Invisalign Full and Moderate.
Invisalign i7
Invisalign i7 offers a small number of aligners and is best suited to very small alignment adjustments and corrections. Due to the few aligners used, this is the shortest course of Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign Teen
Here, Invisalign Full is tailored for the young adult, with the advantage of unlimited aligners to correct the orthodontic concern, as well as additional features to provide more flexibility, including:
Tooth eruption tabs to allow space in the aligners for adult teeth to come down (“erupt”) into place
Six free replacement aligners for those mishaps at home or school
Blue compliance indicators on each set of aligners to allow parents or orthodontists to determine if the removable aligners are being worn as often as required.
To find out more about Invisalign, and your treatment options, contact us today to organise a consultation with Specialist Orthodontist, Dr David Austin.
