Teeth Straightening
Although this treatment is mostly considered for cosmetic reasons, correcting the alignment of your teeth not only improves the way they look but can have great benefits for your overall oral health.
So whether it’s to make it easier to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, or achieving that perfect smile, teeth straightening could be the treatment to consider.
At Oakwood Dental Practice, we offer a number of teeth straightening systems, including InvisalignGo, ClearCorrect and Digital Dental Exchange (DDX). These systems all use a series of removable clear aligners instead of the traditional metal wires and brackets, making them discreet and free of the hassles of traditional fixed (non-removable) braces.
Each aligner is custom made from a clear flexible plastic and designed to be worn throughout the day and night, gradually moving your teeth into their new position. These aligners are taken out for eating, drinking and cleaning, meaning you can eat as normal and there’s no fiddly cleaning; there’s also the added bonus of being able to leave them out for special occasions.
WHO IS TEETH STRAIGHTENING
SUITABLE FOR?
Clear aligner systems are suitable for adults, with an otherwise healthy mouth,
who would like to straighten out crowded or uneven teeth:
- For aesthetic reasons;
- to make it easier to keep your teeth clean;
- to improve the way your teeth bite together;
- to close or minimise unwanted spacing or gaps between teeth
Although the systems all work in similar ways, depending on the current alignment of your teeth and the results you would like to achieve, one system may work better for you than the other. At your consultation appointment we will discuss which option is likely to be best for you and why.
TREATMENT PROCESS
STEP 1
We will carry out a consultation to assess that you are suitable for teeth straightening treatment, and whether it is likely to achieve the results you are looking for. This includes a series of photos as well as a digital scan of your teeth, which we can use to run a basic simulation of how your teeth could look after treatment, to help visualise your new smile.
If you think you would like to go ahead we will also take a full mouth x-ray to make sure your teeth are healthy enough for treatment inside and out.
STEP 2
All the information we have gathered will be sent off for a digital treatment plan to be produced and we will receive a comprehensive and interactive overview of the expected stages and outcome of your treatment. If there are any changes that either you or your dentist think should be made these can be fed back until you are happy with the expected result. Once the treatment plan has been approved, the lab will get to work on making your aligners.
STEP 3
We will fit your first set of aligners and check them for fit and comfort. In most cases a few small spots of tooth coloured filling material will need to be added to some of your teeth, to help the aligners move and tilt your teeth into place; these will be perfectly matched to your existing teeth and removed once your treatment is complete. We will usually provide you with a few sets of aligners at this point along with the instructions on how to wear and look after these, as well as when to move on to the next set.
STEP 4
You will have regular appointments with us (around every 8 weeks), to check that everything is progressing as it should be. At these review appointments it is common for some very minor adjustments (fractions of a millimetre) to be made to your teeth, to allow them to reach their final position. We will then provide you with your next few sets of aligners and repeat this process until your treatment is complete.
STEP 5
HOW MUCH DOES TEETH STRAIGHTENING COST?
The average cost of alignment treatment is around £3600, however treatment costs will vary depending on how complex the treatment is.
As with many of our treatments, patients on one of our membership plans get a 10% discount.
Read more about our membership plans here.
AFTERCARE
During your treatment you will need to make sure you remove your aligners for eating and drinking, as well as keeping them, and your teeth, nice and clean.
If you are not wearing your aligners be sure to store them somewhere safe, that is away from direct sunlight or anywhere too hot, as this can cause them to deform.
After your treatment is complete, to keep your new smile looking fantastic, it’s important to wear your retainers daily to help keep your teeth in their new position.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will it be uncomfortable?
It is common for some of your teeth to feel a little sore or achy when you switch to a new set of aligners, and for the new aligners themselves to feel tight. This should settle after the first day or two, as your teeth gradually start to move.
How long should I be wearing my aligners for each day?
To get the results you want you should wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, but don’t worry, with how discreet they are, no one may even notice!
How long will my treatment take?
Most cases take between 12-18 months from start to finish, however this can vary from person to person. We will advise you of the estimated length Invisalign or ClearCorrect have given us for your personalised treatment when we receive it.