At Gatrad and Associates, we recommend Invisalign™ to our patients who are experiencing orthodontic issues. This discreet and effective way of straightening the teeth is popular because it offers a suitable alternative for those who feel self-conscious about wearing traditional metal braces.

Invisalign™ is a series of custom-made clear aligners tailor-made for each patient, to gently coax the teeth into a more aesthetically pleasing position.

First, you’ll attend a thorough consultation with your dentist to assess your suitability for the Invisalign treatment. They will take photos, x-rays and a digital scan of your teeth to create your computerised 3D treatment plan.

This technology can provide you with a visual representation of what you can expect your teeth to look like when your treatment is over.

Your dentist will send your prescription away to Invisalign™ to have your aligners produced. Once they are ready, you will wear each aligner 20-22 hours a day for two weeks. After two weeks, you will switch to the next aligner in the series. Each aligner exerts gentle pressure on the teeth, gradually shifting them into the correct place.

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign™ isn’t a permanent fixture in your mouth. The aligners are removable, so you can take them out whenever you need to eat, brush or floss. Once the treatment is complete, your dentist will give you an equally discreet removable retainer to wear.

Following any orthodontic treatment, the periodontal ligament requires time to reshape. If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth can relapse into their former position.