Invisalign in Esher and Wandsworth

Invisalign First is an innovative, new procedure that can help achieve real results early on in a child’s life. It is no longer the case that children need to wait until their teens and pre-teens to address issues that may arise with the alignment of their teeth. With Invisalign First, you can improve your smile as it grows and develops.

Invisalign First is designed specifically for the smaller smile. Treating teeth at an early age is known as Phase 1 Treatment. Even with their baby teeth, issues can start to appear, and we can start to tackle alignment issues in Phase 1 without having to wait for the baby teeth to be replaced. The goal with Phase 1 treatment is to make room for the incoming teeth, and improve the alignment of existing teeth, by developing young jaws and arches.

Phase 1 treatment can:

• Stop existing issues with a child’s bite from deteriorating.
• Help alleviate issues with teeth straightening.
• Improve your child’s developing smile.
• Help with habits such as thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting.
• Help shorten the time needed in Phase 2 treatment as they get older.

Previously, Phase 1 treatment was accomplished through traditional orthodontic appliances, such as braces. However, Invisalign First uses new, innovative technology that provide your child with better treatment options. Invisalign First uses clear aligners that fit right over the teeth to bring them back into alignment. The aligners are designed to treat a broad range of dental issues in children. Problems around spacing, crowding and narrow dental arches can all be addressed using Invisalign.

One of the most obvious drawbacks with traditional metal braces is the simple fact that they cannot be removed. This can make even simple jobs like brushing teeth and keeping them clean a real task. Not to mention, they can be unsightly.

Invisalign aligners are completely removable at will. They can be taken out before meals, allowing children to keep drinking and eating the foods they love, without having to worry about how it will affect their braces. Being removable, your child can also maintain their regular dental health routines, they do not have to learn new ways of brushing and flossing around permanent, metal braces.

The Invisalign Process

The first step is to take an impression of your child’s teeth. This can either be done traditionally using a mould, or by taking a digital scan. We can then digitally map the progress of your child’s teeth, allowing you to see the predicted results. The aligners are then custom-made for your child’s dental structure. This makes them smooth, comfortable and easy to remove. They are also designed to allow space for new teeth to come in. Using a series of small, calculated adjustments to the aligner, we can gradually straighten the teeth over time.

Invisalign Teen uses new, innovative technology to gradually improve your smile and address straightening issues without the need for traditional, metal braces. Many teenagers will need orthodontic treatment in their life, but no one is thrilled at the prospect of filling their mouth with metal for years at a time! With Invisalign, there is now a clear alternative to traditional braces that is easier, quicker, cheaper and looks better!

Invisalign aligners are made from a clear and smooth plastic, meaning they are removable, easy to clean and hard to spot! A lot of people with braces become very conscious of their smile; with Invisalign, most people won’t even notice you have them. They are also custom-made to fit your teeth using SmartTrack material, allowing them to control the movement of teeth. Removable retainers give you far more freedom than the traditional metal brace, and even some of the newer options on the market.

Being able to remove your braces before meals means you can keep eating and drinking your favourite foods. You do not have to worry about certain foods becoming stuck in metal brackets. You can also maintain your usual dental hygiene routine. There is no need to have to re-learn how to brush and floss around clunky metal braces, simply remove the aligner and you can brush and floss as normal.

You can also play sports and musical instruments without needing to worry about braces. You do not need to worry about metal braces snapping during a game or cutting yourself on a wire while playing an instrument. Invisalign is discreet, safe and won’t get in the way of life.

The Invisalign Process

The first step is to take impressions of your teeth. This can be done with digital imagery, or through a traditional mould. We can then digitally map the predicted progress of your teeth, allowing you to see the intended results. Once they have been designed, each aligner is custom built for your teeth, making them comfortable and easy to remove. You will receive a series of retainers that you will wear every day and replace regularly (about every 1-2 weeks). By making small adjustments to the aligners, we can gradually straighten teeth by fixing gaps and overcrowding.

Want to straighten your smile? With the Neem Tree it is easy to begin the process!

In order to get started, simply make an appointment with us to book in for an initial consultation with an Invisalign-trained doctor. This consultation will consist of a precursory evaluation of the alignment of your teeth.

During this appointment you will be given full information about Invisalign, including prices and all the next steps  you can take with us to create your perfect smile.

Book an Invisalign consultation at one our practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.

We use our iTero scanner to create digital copies of your teeth and gums, negating the need for moulds and presses.

During your consultation, your doctor will discuss your goals with Invisalign and also what current problems you have with your teeth. Once you and your doctor understand the desired goal, our experienced team will examine your situation to see if you will be a suitable candidate for Invisalign. This examination will also allow your doctor to determine your specific needs.

Your doctor will talk you through the entire process, explaining what each aligner will aim to do to your teeth and how quickly you will be able to reach your desired new smile.

You will also be able to discuss how much the treatment will cost during your consultation.

With our advanced 3D scanner, you will be able to take a little sneak peak of what your new smile will look like after your treatment before you even begin!

Your doctor will then recommend scheduling a routine dental checkup and cleaning before you begin your Invisalign treatment in order to ensure the good health of your teeth and gums to avoid taking unnecessary risks during the treatment.

The length of your treatment is dependent on many factors. The key time frame that your treatment will take will be explained to you during your first consultation, after your doctor has evaluated the situation of your teeth. However, this initial time frame is dependent on how often you wear your aligners and adhere to the rules of wearing your Invisalign trays.

Bring your questions! It is important that you are fully informed about the treatment before you begin. You should also bring any health or dental history that you have which you think will be helpful or important information for your doctor to know before you begin your treatment.

To get the most out of your Invisalign treatment and to achieve the best results, we recommend you wear your Invisalign aligners 20-22 hours hours a day. Usually just taking them out to eat, drink, brush and floss your teeth.

Contact us today to book your initial Invisalign consultation at one of our practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.

Yes. Your clear aligners should be worn for 20-22 hours a day. Taking your aligners off regularly or for long periods of time (eg. during the night), will prolong your treatment. During long hours your teeth will begin to move back to their original positions before you began your treatment.

Yes. What makes Invisalign so unique is that right from the beginning it is specifically designed for your individual needs. Therefore, there are Invisalign options available for just your top or bottom teeth. Just be sure to consult your doctor on our specific wants and expectations of the treatment during your consultation.

To learn more about Invisalign treatment, contact our dental practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.

Your dentist will determine how often you should change trays to move your teeth at a manageable pace. Invisalign trays are usually changed out every one to two weeks depending on your specific treatment plan. It is important to make sure you follow the specific intervals your doctor has planned for your treatment in order to avoid prolonging your treatment and to get closer to achieving the results you desire.

Book a consultation for Invisalign from our practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.

Your doctor will schedule regular appointments to check up on the progress of your treatment. These are usually once every four to six weeks. The goal for these visits is to ensure your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned. If you need to see your doctor sooner than your next scheduled appointment, feel free to call and your doctor will be able to see you as soon as possible.

We also offer the possibility of remote monitoring. By simply sending us selfies of your smile, we can keep track of the progress of your treatment from anywhere in the world!

This means that you have to come into the practice for far fewer appointments.

It is a common misconception that Invisalign is always more expensive than other straightening treatments. The truth is, all dental straightening methods are a bit pricey if not covered by the NHS.

Can’t put a price on a perfect smile though…

There are many factors to consider when it comes to determining how expensive your Invisalign treatment is going to be. These include; the condition of the alignment of your teeth when you arrive, how compliant you are with the treatment and how effective Invisalign will be for the specific patient.

Yes, Invisalign does work just as well as traditional braces do! Whether you chose to go with the traditional braces treatment or Invisalign, the end result will be the same. There are however, several other factors that occur when making a decision. We hope to help all of our patients when making this decision to make the one that is right for them!

To learn more about Invisalign versus the alternatives, contact us today.

You cannot eat with your Invisalign trays inside your mouth. Unlike traditional braces with wires and brackets, the Invisalign system allows you to remove your aligners. Therefore, when you eat and drink you should always remove your aligners.

Eating may damage the aligners which is why you must take them out before eating and drinking.

Drinking the right liquids are also just as important. It is recommended to avoid sugary drinks such as soft drinks and coffees that can stain and damage your teeth.

This system also makes it simple to brush and floss your teeth. Simply remove your aligners before you eat a meal and brush your teeth straight after to maintain good oral hygiene, before re-inserting your aligners.

Drinking a lot of water washes away bad bacteria and is great for your health so make sure to keep hydrated! However, contrary to popular belief, drinkable alcohols do not clean bacteria away, so even while drinking, be sure you take your aligners out.

Eating and drinking everything within moderation and continuation of good oral hygiene practices will ensure the good health of your teeth as well as your aligners.

Smoking, alcohol and chewing gum are strictly frowned upon whilst you are wearing your Invisalign trays. The residue from these items could potentially get stuck on your tray and when put back on, can add a yellow tint to your trays and to your teeth, which trust me, is very unsightly.

Contact us today to find out more about straightening your teeth with Invisalign from our dental practices in Wandsworth, South West London or Esher, Surrey.

Invisalign can fix a wide variety of dental problems such as gapped teeth, overbites, underbites and crowded teeth. It can also rectify abnormal bite functions. This is when the upper and lower jaws fail to come together properly. Besides these issues being unsightly or affecting the confidence of your smile, these problems can affect your dental health more than you know.

For example, gapped teeth leave the gums unprotected therefore leaving them vulnerable to disease and infection such as exacerbate periodontal disease. Overbites and underbites can also be detrimental to your dental health as they stress the jaw. This can lead to further pain and joint problems in the future. If bite problems are not fixed, they can lead to further oral health issues including cavities and tooth loss, gum infections, erosion of tooth enamel and may lead to difficulties in speaking and/or eating.

There are many benefits to wearing Invisalign, here are a few:

• Invisible appearance
  Invisalign trays are made with clear plastic, making them very hard to detect.
• Comfort
  Although the process of moving your teeth’s positions can be a little uncomfortable, Invisalign is designed to be one of the most comfortable and least painful teeth straightening techniques.
• Improved cleanliness
  It is imperative that throughout your treatment, every time you remove your Invisalign trays to eat, you should brush your teeth before putting them back in, therefore, improving your oral health. Also, unlike other methods, Invisalign trays can be removed therefore allowing you to correctly clean your teeth properly without any resistance from your treatment.
• Safe and removable
  A major benefit of Invisalign is that it is a removable teeth straightening technique.
• You are able to eat anything you want
  As your trays are removable, you have no dietary limitations. Eat as much of whatever you like! Of course, while maintaining a healthy diet.
• Improved confidence in your smile
  The most important benefit of Invisalign is how it improves your confidence! Although the end result of any teeth straightening treatment will improve the confidence of your smile after the treatment has finished, Invisalign works to boost your confidence throughout the whole process as you have no embarrassing metal brackets on your teeth. The best part of Invisalign is that throughout your treatment you can literally see the process of your smile being corrected with each tray. This will do wonders for your confidence, trust me!
• Does not intervene with your daily life
  Invisalign trays are quick and easy to put in and take out of your mouth. You do not have to do anything different to your routine than before you started your treatment.
• Unlike metal braces, Invisalign does not rub or irritate your mouth nor does it cut your gums like wires and brackets can
  Invisalign trays are made out of a clear plastic that is quite thin. This means it does not interrupt your mouth or irritate your gums because of the unique design of the trays.
• Beautifully straight teeth 

Brushing and flossing are essential for healthy teeth and gums. Cleaning your Invisalign trays are just as important! It is imperative for good oral hygiene that you clean your Invisalign trays as often as your doctor recommends.

With the correct knowledge and information on how to clean your trays and how often you should do it, you will be able to keep your trays pristine. While there are so many benefits to choosing Invisalign aligners for your orthodontic treatment, if you do not take care of them properly, you will find yourself in a worse situation than if you had chosen to go for metal braces.

This is because if your aligners are not cleaned properly, you could be dealing with discolouration of the aligners and a build up of bacteria that causes an odor that not only is unpleasant and possibly embarrassing, but it also affects the health of your teeth. Obviously hygiene wise, it’s a bit disgusting…

But, If this happens people will definitely notice your aligners therefore making them noticeably visible, which is what you were trying to avoid in the first place, right?

You should clean your aligners twice a day using an antibacterial, unscented hand soap. Simply give your aligners a gentle brush with a soft toothbrush and thoroughly rinse with lukewarm water. Do not brush too hard or use toothpaste, which may be too abrasive and might scratch or damage your aligners.

DO take your Invisalign trays out each morning to clean both your teeth and the trays thoroughly.

In order to maintain the health of both your teeth and your Invisalign trays you must clean the trays thoroughly. Having a morning and evening routine to clean both your teeth and the trays will be essential and helpful to get you in a great position to get the most out of your treatment.

Thoroughly cleansing at the beginning and end of every day is crucial as the bacteria in your mouth and on your teeth can build up on the trays whilst you sleep at night and during the day.

Establishing this daily routine will ensure the optimum health of your teeth and your Invisalign trays.

DO rinse your Invisalign trays every time you remove them.

As well as your morning and evening cleaning routines, you should also rinse your aligners every time you remove them.

Not only is this a quick and easy process but this will also keep any dried saliva or plaque from building up as well as any dirt or dust that would have collected whilst you had them out and exposed to a lot of air.

An easier hack to clean your aligners whilst you are out is to clean them by using a little (pea sized amount) of an unscented and clear antibacterial soap/gel and a small soft-bristled toothbrush. This will get rid of any small particles that could have stuck on to the trays and keep the aligners looking clean and clear.

To get yourself used to the cleaning process you should pack what you need to properly care for your aligners and always carry them with you!

This is to ensure that wherever you go, you are able to properly care for your Invisalign trays, even when you are not home.

DO soak your aligners once a day

In order to keep your aligners looking and smelling their best, it is a good idea to soak your aligners at least once a day. You can soak your aligners in either a denture cleaner or specialised Invisalign cleaning crystals that you can get from us!

Once they are done soaking, use a separate toothbrush (not one that you use to brush your teeth with) to gently brush off any food or plaque build up. Then simply rinse them before easily placing them back into your mouth.

DO brush and floss your teeth before you put the trays back in;

Keeping your teeth and gums clean is also very important otherwise you will still have dental problems further down the road. In order to avoid food particles that could potentially get trapped against your teeth inside the aligners, you must always brush and floss your teeth.

In order to prevent this, always take your aligner case with you ( as well as your aligner cleaning tools) no matter where you go. If, by any chance, you forget and accidentally leave them out for a few hours, be sure to soak and rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.

Do the same routine you would do, just like you normally would if you were not wearing aligners, before putting your trays back in for optimal oral health.

DO NOT use the same toothbrush to clean your teeth and your Invisalign trays.

It may seem like an efficient and easy option to use the same toothbrush you use to clean your teeth, to also clean your Invisalign trays. However, I am here to deter you from doing that!

Not only will the same bacteria transfer from your mouth to the plastic trays, but a big toothbrush that is used for a human mouth will be too big and rough for an Invisalign tray. They were not made to endure that kind of pressure therefore resulting in you inadvertently damaging your aligners.

You can use a small bristles toothbrush that our dentists will also be able to provide you with.

DO NOT eat or drink with your Invisalign trays in your mouth.

The only thing you can drink while you are wearing your Invisalign trays is water. Other than water, you should not eat or drink while you have your Invisalign in your mouth.

For all other drinks and foods, you must first take the aligners out before you proceed to consume anything. It is imperative that you remove your Invisalign trays because food particles can get stuck in your aligners. This could lead to build up and would be very unhygienic if not cleaned correctly.

Eating with your Invisalign trays in your mouth can also result in the trays getting stained and damaged. Invisalign aligners are not designed to support the pressure of eating. Therefore, if you do eat with them in, it is very likely that they will get damaged.

DO NOT forget to plan for long trips.

In order to avoid prolonging your treatment, planning is needed during Invisalign as you need to switch aligners every few weeks. By planning ahead we are able to provide you with the next set of aligners for you to pack with you and switch in time while you are away.

There is also an option for us to possibly ship the new set of aligners to you while you are away if you are away for more than six weeks, just to ensure that there are no disruptions in your treatment.

DO NOT use coloured or scented soaps OR toothpaste to clean your Invisalign trays.

Although you wear each set of Invisalign trays for a couple weeks, cleaning them properly is very important. In that short amount of time, with improper care, you can cause damage to your teeth.

When cleaning your Invisalign trays you should avoid using toothpaste or any coloured or scented soaps as they can leave residue on your Invisalign trays and cause damage or discolouration. They can also give your trays an unpleasant taste. These are all important things to consider when deciding how to clean Invisalign trays as well as how often.

Your dentist can inform you about the best ways to clean your Invisalign as well as recommend the most effective products to use.

DOT NOT scratch them.

If you take good care of your aligners they will last the entire length of your treatment. The aligners can get scratched when you are being too abrasive whilst cleaning and can even break if they are pulled out too suddenly, so be careful when you are handling them.

DO NOT get them dirty.

It is very important that the only thing you consume while having your Invisalign trays in is WATER.  Anything dark or highly pigmented has the potential to stain your aligners. This not only looks very unpleasant, it makes your aligners very visible and can also create a very unpleasant odour.Do your best to thoroughly clean your teeth and your trays as often as recommended.

DO NOT play with your aligners.

We understand that it is very tempting to play with your aligners with your tongue, especially after the first couple of days of getting them fitted. Try your best not to. Those first couple of days, although uncomfortable, are vital in making sure your aligners do their job. Continuously playing with the aligners in your mouth can scratch them or misplace them, hindering the effectiveness of them. This can also result in your mouth getting very sore.

DO NOT forget your aligners and leave them out.

Leaving your aligners out for long periods of time can hinder your treatment as your teeth are prone to moving. Leaving your aligners out also means that they are more likely to get lost. Whenever your aligners are out of your mouth make sure that they get rinsed to avoid saliva and bacteria build up and are in their case.

DO NOT forget to brush both your teeth and the aligners.

It isn’t enough to thoroughly cleanse your aligners and not your teeth. Bacteria can transfer which can result in very unpleasant consequences for both your teeth and your aligners. It is imperative that whenever you can, do your best to brush and floss your teeth properly and clean your aligners to make sure they are free of any bacteria build up. Not cleaning your aligners properly can cause bad breath. Cleaning them as often as recommended can remedy this. Another suitable option is to rinse your mouth with lukewarm water often or to chew sugarless gum (of course while your Invisalign trays are not in your mouth).

There are many different methods to straighten one’s teeth. However, the most popular and preferred dental treatments these days are traditional metal braces and Invisalign, both of which have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Making a decision between what teeth straightening method to you can prove very difficult. This will allow you to make a choice based on the pros and cons of traditional braces and Invisalign so that you can make an informed decision.

Invisalign	Braces
Invisalign is more comfortable than braces	Braces can’t be removed so patient compliance is 100%
You are able to remove your Invisalign aligners	Braces address the root of your teeth rather than just the upper part.
Your diet is not restricted with Invisalign	Braces have been around a lot longer than Invisalign, proven to work every single time
Invisalign looks a lot better than braces, raising your confidence throughout the whole process	Braces can fix almost all teeth imperfections.

Now let’s go into a bit more depth: 

Invisalign

Invisalign looks a lot better than traditional braces! There are no unsightly metal brackets on your teeth. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible. The trays are made of a transparent, custom-made thermoplastic material that you can hardly notice.

Invisalign has the added bonus that you can remove them whenever you want! Not only does it make this appealing for pictures and or events, but also makes cleaning a lot more effective than traditional braces.

With Invisalign, there are no foods that you need to avoid. You are able to eat anything as whenever you eat, you simply take the tray out and put them back in after you are done.

Invisalign is more comfortable than braces. Of course, in many cases of teeth straightening methods, it is an uncomfortable process. However, Invisalign trays are far more comfortable than braces. The main discomfort you get is from your teeth being moved into the desired place. Unlike braces you do not have cut or sore gums after the tray is put in.

Due to the nature of Invisalign, the ability to remove your aligners means that success of the treatment is heavily reliant on the patients compliance of the rules of Invisalign.

Braces

Traditional braces are a better option for those who have bad tooth alignment. This is because Invisalign trays cannot effectively grip onto cylindrical or rounded bicuspid teeth without slipping. This means they will not be able to move your teeth as easily as traditional braces would. Traditional braces are securely affixed to the tooth and will therefore not slip at all and can correctly turn such teeth into the proper, desired position.

Braces address the root of your teeth whereas, Invisalign trays focus much of the pressure on the upper part of your teeth. Traditional braces exert equal pressure on the entire tooth. It pushes the tooth into the desired position from the top to the bottom of the tooth, including the root.

Patient compliance is ALWAYS 100% with traditional braces!

Having braces that are not removable comes with several advantages and disadvantages.

• The key disadvantage is metal brackets are quite unsightly, which deter a lot of patients from this option, especially adults.
• Not being able to remove braces also causes issues with the cleaning of teeth.
• As braces use metal brackets and wires these often tend to rub against the gums, making them swollen and often resulting in cutting the gums.
• As traditional braces cannot be removed, patient compliance is 100%. This ensures that the treatment will not be interrupted. With Invisalign, even a day or two of interruption will impact the overall treatment.

• With children, traditional braces are more effective as there is no way they are able to remove or lose them, hindering the treatment in any way.
• For adults who find it hard to commit to Invisalign, traditional metal braces offer the solution to make sure you adhere to the treatment and get your desired goal.

If you have any other questions or worries about how Invisalign might work for you, call us at the Neem Tree to set up your consultation. We will do our best to guide you to the right path to a perfect smile in no time! And we are certain that you will be glad you did it!