Invisalign
What is Invisalign® ?
Invisalign is a system of digitally-designed clear removable aligners to straighten teeth.
How does Invisalign work?
A set of moulds/digital scans of your teeth are taken to create your virtual Invisalign treatment plan (Clincheck). The Clincheck shows the tooth movements required for overall teeth alignment in a virtual 3D simulation. This is previewed BEFORE starting your treatment.
A series of customised clear aligners based on the Clincheck stages are worn to gradually move your teeth. Each aligner is slightly different from the last.
How long does Invisalign treatment take to complete?
Treatment duration depends on the case. The average Invisalign treatment in Singapore runs for about 20-30 months because of the nature of orthodontic problems in the population which is distinct from cases done in the USA and Europe.
What is the Invisalign treatment process like?
Step 1: Consultation & Assessment
During your initial consultation, we will first discuss your treatment goals with you. A clinical assessment is also done to ensure that you are suitable for Invisalign. Following the assessment, photos, moulds and X-rays of your teeth will be taken to design your treatment plan.
Step 2: Virtual Treatment Plan (Clincheck)
The photos, moulds and x-rays will be sent to Invisalign to create a virtual 3-D model of your teeth as well as to plan the tooth movements required at each treatment stage. This virtual 3D simulation is called a Clincheck. Once the Clincheck has been explained to you and approved, your unique Invisalign aligners will be printed and shipped to our practice.
Step 3: Wearing aligners
You are required to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily. Aligners are NOT worn during meals and NOT worn for flossing/brushing. Compliance with aligner wear is crucial for treatment success.
At your first visit, you will have customised attachments glued on to your teeth, called attachments. These attachments help by improving the grip and fit of the aligners onto your teeth to help your teeth to move.
You will need to change your aligners as directed by your dentist. Each set of aligners will gently and gradually shift your teeth into place, until your ideal smile is achieved.
You will be monitored during the Invisalign treatment process. Monitoring visits take place every 6-8 weeks.
Step 4: Completing treatment
Once you have reached the end of your Invisalign treatment, the attachments are removed from your teeth and a set of removable retainers will be made.
Retainers help prevent relapse (where the teeth shift after alignment is complete). Relapse can occur very soon after stopping treatment or occur many years later.
What are some alternatives to Invisalign?
If you are looking for alternatives to Invisalign, either because of budget constraints or simply because you would like to find out your treatment options, here are some recommended and performance-worthy alternatives suggested by Dr Amanda Koh:
- Braces
- Angel Aligners
- Dental veneers
Invisalign vs Braces
Is Invisalign just as good as braces?
Invisalign clear aligners Conventional Wire Braces
Appearance Clear/Invisible Metal or ceramic braces cemented on the teeth, with metal wire/coated aesthetic wires
Treatment Time Invisalign takes a slightly longer duration to complete compared to conventional braces.
Some patients may need sectional braces to assist in the finishing stages of Invisalign. Braces may take a slightly shorter duration to complete as compared to Invisalign.
Braces are useful for extraction cases or treating very complex problems.
Some patients may need sectional braces to assist in the finishing stages of Invisalign.
Maintenance Easy maintenance.
Teeth: Brush and floss teeth normally as aligners are removable.
Aligners: Brush aligners to keep them clean.More difficult to maintain.
Teeth: Thorough brushing and flossing is required.
Braces: Brackets and wires must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent plaque buildup.
Visits to the dentist for review Aligner trays are changed every 2 weeks. Monitoring visits every 6-8 weeks Adjustment visits every 3-4 weeks
Comfort Relatively comfortable Less comfortable as the brackets/wires may cause abrasions and ulcers.
Ceramic brackets are more bulky and may interfere with your bite.
Personal commitment More commitment required. To ensure optimal results, patients must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours/day Lower commitment required. The braces are not removable.
Cost Higher cost due to lab fees and digital planning Lower cost/more affordable
Retainer required? Yes, you are required to wear retainers Yes, you are required to wear retainers
Is Invisalign better?
Invisalign has a number of advantages for patients:
- More aesthetically-pleasing, good for patients who have to look presentable in their line of work
- Invisible
- Removable
- No issues with food getting caught in brackets
- No difficulty eating
- No discomfort from wires/brackets
