Invisalign Orthodontics Melbourne

Invisalign is a popular choice for teeth straightening, as many patients have discovered its advantages: 

• Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than braces for straightening your teeth
• Invisalign aligners are almost invisible, as they’re transparent and unobtrusive
• It’s easier for kids and teens to keep good oral hygiene, as they can remove the Invisalign aligners, instead of trying to brush and floss around metal brackets
• You can remove the aligners for special events if needed
• There are fewer visits required for overseeing treatment
• You can easily track your progress

Invisalign gradually guides your teeth into their desired position. Braces, instead, involve metal or ceramic brackets glued onto teeth, connected by thin wires, to move them into place. Invisalign for kids and teens is often preferred, as it’s easier for them to clean and floss their teeth, but relies on them committing to wearing the aligners.

Firstly, we take a 3D digital scan of your teeth. After incorporating dental records like photos and x-rays, we work closely with you to design a smile you’ll love. 

Every patient will receive a detailed, customised digital plan, determining the teeth movement, number of aligners and expected period of time required for your Invisalign treatment.

To make sure the treatment is effective, the aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Every one to two weeks, you’ll switch to a new aligner that gradually and gently steers your teeth closer to the end result. Every six to eight weeks, you’ll come in to see us at Dentists of East Melbourne to check your progress and receive your new set of aligners.

We are Platinum level Invisalign providers, which means we are very experienced, but, additionally, the team at Dentists of East Melbourne not only have expertise in orthodontics like Invisalign and braces, but they also bring in knowledge from other areas of dentistry to make sure your teeth are being comprehensively managed. Having your Invisalign treatment in the same place as your regular dental care enables you to combine your Invisalign review visit with your routine checkup and cleaning visits saving you valuable  time.

We take the time to do things right the first time. Being 100% independent, we can focus on delivering the best care for our patients’ long-term dental health, rather than your treatment being potentially compromised by health insurance fund guidelines.

At Dentists of East Melbourne, delivering high quality dental care matters. We only recommend treatment that we would feel comfortable advising a family member to undertake.

Invisalign is a way to align teeth without it being obvious to others. It is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear removable aligners to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. Whilst traditional braces are fixed on to the teeth and have metal brackets, Invisalign makes use of removable clear aligners that are customised to each patient’s tooth alignment.

If you are considering Invisalign, book in for a consultation with one of our dentists, who will discuss your goals and concerns with you and determine the treatment options and plan best suited for you. They will also be able to show you a video of how your teeth will change over time, in order for you to visualise what the final outcome will look like! Following this, a 3D scan of your teeth is taken, and aligners are fabricated for you. Throughout your treatment, there will be frequent progress check-ups with your dentist in order to monitor your progress and give you the next set of aligners to further the tooth movement. Once the treatment is completed, your dentist will provide you with retainers that are worn at night to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their previous position.

The duration of your Invisalign treatment varies based on several factors including case complexity, aesthetic and functional goals and patient compliance. On average, Invisalign takes approximately 12-18 months. It is strongly recommended that the Invisalign aligners are worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, only to be removed while eating, drinking (anything except water), toothbrushing and flossing.

Cleaning your Invisalign trays is essential in order to prevent bacterial build up, ensure good oral hygiene, and maintain aligner aesthetics. In order to keep your Invisalign trays clean:

• Rinse with water
• Use a soft toothbrush
• Brush and rinse trays before reinserting
• Clean your teeth

Invisalign trays should be removed when you are eating or drinking anything other than water.

Orthodontic treatment such as braces and Invisalign can cause some discomfort, especially during the start of your treatment. However, compared to traditional braces, patients may find Invisalign more comfortable, as there are no sharp edges or wires which can create discomfort to the inside of your mouth. It is important to follow your treating dentist’s advice during your treatment, as consistent wearing of your aligners as directed will help minimise discomfort and ensure effectiveness of treatment.

While you can drink water with Invisalign, drinking beverages other than water while wearing Invisalign can stain or damage your aligners and increase the risk of tooth decay.

It is best to avoid smoking while wearing your aligners as it can stain or damage them. Additionally, smoking increases the risk of oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease which may be exacerbated by wearing aligners.