Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners in Ipswich
If your teeth have crowded, drifted or spaced out, clear aligners move them a little at a time without fixed braces. They are clear and removable, so you take them out to eat and to clean your teeth.
Treatment starts with an assessment with Dr Ali Kianian. He checks whether clear aligners suit your teeth and bite, and says so if they do not. Results vary from person to person. Teeth straightening here is private, not NHS.
What it involves
How clear aligners work
Each set of aligners is made to fit your teeth, from a scan or a mould. You move to the next set when your dentist tells you.
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Day to day
Removable and clear
You take them out to eat and to brush, so there is nothing fixed to your teeth to work around. They are clear plastic rather than metal.
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Wear time
They only work when worn
You need to wear them about 20 to 22 hours a day. That means overnight too, and taking them out only to eat and clean your teeth. Leave them out for longer and treatment slows down or stops.
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Afterwards
Retainers are part of it
Teeth drift back towards where they started unless something holds them. A retainer is a clear guard that does that, and you will need one after any teeth straightening.
Clear aligners suit some cases and not others. Some teeth may need a small tooth-coloured bump fixed to them, which gives the aligner something to push against. Your dentist may also polish a tiny amount of enamel from the sides of a few teeth to make room. If aligners are not right for your bite, your dentist may suggest fixed braces instead. That would mean being referred elsewhere, as we do not fit them here.
The process
What happens, step by step
Five steps, from the first look at your teeth to the retainer that holds them afterwards.
What affects whether aligners suit you
- How your teeth meet when you bite together
- How far the teeth have to move, and in which direction
- The health of your gums and the bone supporting your teeth
- Whether you can wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day
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Assessment first
Your dentist examines your teeth, gums and bite, and takes X-rays if you need them. Any decay or gum problems are treated first, before straightening begins. -
Your plan and your cost
If aligners suit you, you get a written plan. It covers what the treatment aims to do, roughly how long it should take, and what it will cost. -
Scan and fitting
Your dentist takes a scan or a mould so your aligners can be made. At the fitting appointment they fix on any bumps you need, check the fit, and show you how to wear and clean them. -
Wearing them
You move to the next aligner when your dentist tells you. You also come in for short reviews, so your dentist can check progress and change the plan if it needs it. -
Retainers
Once the teeth are where they should be, your dentist takes off the bumps and fits your retainer. Wearing it as told is what makes the result last.
Common questions
Invisalign questions
The things people ask before starting clear aligner treatment.
How much does Invisalign cost?
We do not publish an aligner price. It depends on how far your teeth have to move and how many aligners that takes. Treatment starts with an examination. That is £100 if you have not been to us before, or £65 if you are already a patient here. You then get the cost of the aligners in writing. Our other fees are on the private fee page.
Is Invisalign available on the NHS?
No. The NHS covers what you need to keep your mouth healthy. It does not cover treatment done purely to change how your teeth look, so aligners here are private. For under 18s there are national rules on who qualifies for NHS teeth straightening, and our team can tell you what applies. See our NHS charges page.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on how far the teeth have to move, and on how consistently you wear the aligners. At the planning stage your dentist tells you how long yours should take, rather than quoting a general figure.
Will anyone notice I am wearing them?
They are clear and less noticeable than fixed braces, though they are not invisible. Up close you may also see the small tooth-coloured bumps on some teeth.
Can I eat and drink with them in?
Take them out to eat, and to drink anything other than water. Clean your teeth before they go back in. That protects your teeth and stops the aligners staining.
Will my teeth stay straight afterwards?
Only if you wear your retainer, and that is usually long term. Your dentist will explain the options and the cost.
Ask about Invisalign
Request an appointment and Dr Ali Kianian will check whether clear aligners suit your teeth and bite. He will explain what they can realistically do, and what it will cost. There is no obligation to go ahead.
Invisalign is a registered trade mark of Align Technology, Inc.