Straight teeth and a confident smile can be yours in as little as 12 weeks with clear aligners

Clear aligners have been developed to combat misaligned teeth,  without the need for traditional, fixed brackets. These innovative aligner systems are designed using the latest 3D CADCAM technology to make sure that they are comfortable, convenient and look good. With clear aligners, treatment is discreet – meaning you no longer have to feel conscious about drawing any unwanted attention. In some cases, treatment can even be completed in as little as 12 weeks – depending on the degree of movement required. 

Straightening teeth with clear aligners happens in 4 simple steps.

•  Impressions
  Clear aligners are created solely for you. To get your custom-made aligners, your dentist must first take impressions of your teeth to send to the laboratory. Dependent on our dentist, this will be done with a 3D scanner or, more likely, a soft putty substance. The process is quick, painless and easy. These impressions will ensure accuracy, maximising the teeth straightening process.

•  Follow up
  Once the laboratory has received impressions of your teeth, these will be cast in plaster and scanned on to the computer using the latest 3D CADCAM technology. From here, a skilled technician will map the journey your teeth need to take in order to achieve your future smile. This then becomes your treatment plan and is sent to your dentist for your follow up appointment, along with before and after images, a short video showing tooth movement, and a set of pre-aligners.

• Check ups
  Once you are happy to proceed with clear aligner treatment, your active aligners will be made. The dentist will explain and help you understand how to maximise your treatment. Each aligner is designed to be worn for three to four weeks at a time, before progressing onto the next stage. The overall teeth straightening process length is dependent on the severity of your teeth, with most reaching conclusion in a few months.

•  Your new smile!
  Once you have finished wearing your last clear aligner, it is time to reveal that picture-perfect smile. To maintain the results, you will need to wear a retainer as per your dentist's instructions.

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The Benefits Of Clear Aligners for Teeth Straightening

The confidence you should feel when you smile can often be diminished if you have misaligned teeth. Furthermore, these problems can lead to a number of other problems, causing undue wear and tear on the natural structures of the teeth. Correcting these issues is an important part of improving your overall oral health. Fortunately, invisible orthodontic aligners can now make teeth straightening comfortable.

Clear braces provide numerous benefits:

Speed
Clear aligners produce excellent results within a fraction of the time that traditional metal braces do. In some cases, patients are known to have completed their treatment in as little as 12 weeks – though this is dependent on the severity of the malalignment. By comparison, the average treatment length for metal braces is 24 months.

Comfort
Fixing alignment issues with traditional braces can be an uncomfortable experience. Clear aligners remove this problem as they are custom-made to mold to the shape of your teeth and have a smooth surface – with no coarse edges. They are removable and do not have any metal that could irritate the sensitive surface of the mouth.

Confidence
Clear braces are rapidly rising in popularity, due to the discreet manner in which you can undergo treatment. Completely invisible, these aligners allow you to go about your day-to-day life – without drawing any unwanted attention. It is very difficult to distinguish clear aligners from your own teeth – a major benefit to many patients.

Hygiene
Unlike their metal counterparts, clear aligners are removable. Not only does this allow you to remove the aligners for important social occasions, it also ensures that you can clean your teeth correctly, without the obstruction of fixed brackets. This vastly improves your overall oral hygiene, something you can maintain throughout treatment. It is important, however, that you wear your aligners full-time in order to maximise results.

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How Do Aligners Work to Straighten Teeth?

A step-by-step method
Clear aligners consist of a series of custom-made plastic ‘trays’ that fit over your teeth and move them into the desired shape. In comparison to traditional braces, commencing orthodontic treatment with clear aligners is easy. Your dentist simply takes impressions of your teeth (whether with alginate or with a 3D scanner) and sends them off to the laboratory.

Your impressions will then be used to plan your treatment (the movements that your teeth will take), as well as to form a set of pre-aligners. The pre-aligners are designed to test the fit on your teeth, whilst also giving you a closer look at the appearance. Once you are happy, production on your treatment aligners will commence.

Each marginally different to its predecessor and successor, the aligners are designed to be worn for three to four weeks at a time before progressing. Treatment can take as little as three months, depending on the number of aligners required.

Orthodontic treatment works by using a subtle force to slowly shift teeth into a more desirable position. The subtle differences in shape used in these orthodontic aligners provides the force necessary to achieve these movements.

Factors that affect the efficacy of clear aligners

Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are removable. Whilst this is a positive for many, it is imperative that you understand that treatment may not work as well unless you wear your aligners full-time. To achieve optimum results, you should only remove your aligners to eat and drink, or to clean your teeth. Inability to wear aligners as recommended could result in impaired results, or a longer treatment length.

By using them as guided, you can see an improvement in your teeth in as little as 10 weeks (the actual time needed would depend on the degree of teeth correction needed). Clear aligners are the best way to get the perfect smile, without changing your lifestyle or feeling self-conscious. 

Smilelign are a UK-based company that use the latest 3D CADCAM technology to produce your dream smile. To see patient testimonials, discover more about the process involved, and to find your local provider.

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Clear aligners vs Braces: Why You Should Use the Invisible Aligner

The history of teeth correction begins as far back as 400 BC, with figures including Aristotle and Hippocrates discussing how to get straight teeth. With research ongoing, orthodontists are consistently looking for new ways to correct smiles and help patients.

Developments in dental technology has led to the introduction of new approaches, including the use of clear aligners. These aligners work to move teeth into a more aesthetically pleasing position – achieving your dream smile.  They are an easy treatment option for the modern patient.

To give you a brief insight into clear aligner treatment, here are some comparisons with traditional braces:

• Appearance

With traditional braces, metal wires are bonded to the teeth that remain in place throughout treatment. This can often cause pain and tenderness to the gums and inner mouth. In contrast, aligners are completely transparent, cleverly constructed from a thin material to slot over your teeth for optimum comfort. Made of supple plastic they pose no rough edges or wirework. You can go about your day-to-day life, without worrying about drawing any unwanted attention.

• Function 

When undertaking treatment with traditional braces, eating is no walk in the park! There are numerous dietary restrictions that could mean you have to sacrifice your favourite creature comforts. Clear aligners eradicate this problem, as they are 100% removable. This poses benefits for your diet, lifestyle and, more importantly, your oral health. Simply pop the aligners out to eat, and to correctly clean your teeth, before slotting back in.

• Treatment length

Clear aligners are an effective form of treatment for alignment issues. They can help with common problems including: crowding, spacing, and overbites, and pose a much shorter treatment length than the 2-year average associated with traditional braces. Some cases can be resolved in as little as three months!

With Smilelign, finding your nearest provider is easy. Simply visit their site, search for your postcode and discover the dentists waiting to help you achieve your perfect smile! Produced using state-of-the-art CADCAM technology and offering a 3D animation of your treatment, allowing you to have visual of how your teeth that will move during the treatment, Smilelign is the clear choice for a better, straighter smile. Visit www.smilelign.com to get started.

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Straight teeth for more than just a perfect smile

We all want a picture-perfect smile that we can be confident of – one that lights up the room. However for many, this is not the case. For those with malalignment issues, there are various treatments available including a number of fixed braces and clear aligners.  Different in appearance, in method of achieving straight teeth and in the length of time, each brace has a common end goal - to help guide teeth into their designated positions, straighten your teeth and fix any issues you may have. 

How to get straight teeth

There are four main treatments:

• Fixed orthodontic braces - These are traditional braces that are perhaps the most common. They come with metal brackets and wires that are fixed onto your teeth. Immovable and sometimes uncomfortable, patients, particularly adults, often look for alternative methods of treatment.
• Lingual braces - These are fixed to the back of your teeth where they are safely hidden. However, they can often protrude, interfering with the natural structure of the mouth, sometimes causing a mild or pronounced lisp and obstructing speech. 
•  Clear braces - Clear braces are a similar design to the fixed braces. However, the brackets and wires are made to blend with your teeth, making them a little more discrete.
• Invisible aligners – Impressions of your teeth are taken to produce clear plastic braces, tailored to fit over your teeth. These clear aligners are extremely subtle and their removable aspect makes them the most convenient, both in terms of practicality, and hygiene.

Teeth straightening with Smilelign

Smilelign offer state-of-the-art orthodontic aligners that are practical, clinically effective and easy to use - without affecting your lifestyle. It works by creating a series of virtually invisible aligners, designed to move your teeth in small increments into the desired position. Popular with adult patients, this offers a more aesthetically pleasing approach to orthodontic treatment, as the aligners slot over teeth inconspicuously.

In addition to giving you that beautiful smile, it also improves your general oral health. Completely removable, clear aligners allow you to clean your teeth properly, fighting against plaque, tooth decay and gum diseases. Cosmetic braces improve your self-confidence and are an investment for your future.

A lot of things in life require effort - a smile should not be one of them!

Contact Smilelign to start your journey today!

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Invisible Braces - A Simple Way to Get Straight Teeth

We all want straight teeth and a picture-perfect smile. One of the best and most effective treatments to achieve straight teeth is the use of clear braces. Virtually invisible to the human eye, more and more people are opting for this orthodontic treatment in comparison to traditional ‘train track’ braces. Exceedingly popular in adult orthodontic cases, the braces allow you to fix your teeth without drawing any unwanted attention to your mouth.

These tend to be comfortable unlike metal braces with ugly metal wires. This is why more and more people are opting for clear braces that use more up to date technology. They are also affordable and, or course, effective in providing straight teeth. Professional dentists or orthodontists will help you make an informed decision. 

This effective treatment is simple, painless, quick and cost-effective. The clear braces used in this treatment are made from clear plastic or acrylic material that fits over the teeth and gently guides movement.

If you would like more information on clear aligners or to find out if you are eligible for treatment, follow the steps below:

•   Visit your dentist: If you are thinking of how toget straight teeth, the easiest way is to consult your dental practitioner. You can look online for a reliable dental clinic near you. Book a consultation to get more information about invisible braces, their benefits, the treatment procedure and prices.

•   Intra-oral scan of your teeth: Your dentist will first take some impression of your teeth. These can be carried out in various ways, including 3D scanning technology, or the use of a soft-paste like material. All the methods are painless and will not take long to perform.

•   Fitting of first aligner: Aligners are custom-made to fit the patient’s teeth. Once the first aligner is made, it is sent to your dentist for you to try. Once approved, the rest of the aligners are then made and delivered for the complete treatment.

•   Complete treatment: As the treatment involves a series of aligners, your dentist will organise regular check-ups with you to ensure all is going as it should be and will also give you your next aligner. It is important to know how your teeth are responding.

The time required for the teeth alignment treatment using clear braces is dependent on the intensity of the problem i.e. how much the teeth need to be moved for proper alignment. One of the key benefits of these clear aligners is that they can be conveniently removed when brushing, flossing, or eating. This allows you to maintain good overall oral hygiene.

Sheffield-based company, Smilelign, are one of the key providers of clear orthodontic aligners. To read more about what they offer, as well as to see before and after pictures and patient testimonials, visit www.smilelign.com

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