We chat with Dr Johnson Huang from Clear Dental about Invisalign – the clear way to straighten teeth.
The lowdown
Need braces but dread the wire look? Invisalign could be the answer for you. A near-invisible alternative to traditional orthodontic braces, Invisalign provides a simple, easy and comfortable treatment to straighten your teeth in a virtually undetectable manner.
Nothing says health and happiness quite like a beautiful smile. In fact, most people consider a person’s smile to be the most important feature when it comes to making a good first impression.
People with straight teeth are perceived more likely to be happy, successful and second-date worthy.
How does it work?
Invisalign is made up of a series of custom-tailored, easily removable and transparent 
aligners. They work in much the same manner as traditional braces to effectively move and shape your teeth for a perfect smile.
One of the major benefits of Invisalign is that they are completely removable and easy to clean. This means you can easily brush and floss your teeth, while also being able to eat with freedom. You will need to wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day for best results.
“They are almost invisible, you can remove them to eat and brush your teeth or if you have a special occasion. They are also often cheaper than conventional braces,” says Dr Johnson Huang, a cosmetic dentist at Clear Dental, a leading cosmetic and reconstructive dental clinic with branches throughout Sydney.
How long is Invisalign treatment?
Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient, as no two sets of teeth are the same. After initial X-rays and digital scans, your dentist will show you a 3D view of what your teeth will look like after treatment using the latest digital planning technology.
Once you’re happy with the proposed look of your teeth, customised clear Invisalign aligners are made for you. Typically your dentist will give you 3-4 sets of aligners at a time for you to wear everyday. Usually you will be advised to change your aligner trays every 2 weeks.
You will receive regular check-ups (around every 6-8 weeks) to monitor the progress of your treatment. Dr Johnson says that treatment usually lasts between 6 months to 2 years, “Once completed the need of retainers is used to help make sure the new position of your teeth is maintained.”
Do you need Invisalign?
Do you have:
– Excessive crowding of teeth?
– Teeth that are too widely spaced in the mouth?
– Underbites, overbites and crossbites?
– Teeth that protrude or are rotated from normal positioning?
– Teeth that have excessively erupted from the gumline?Invisalign can treat all of the above – all without the traditional look of braces.
The results
Having straighter teeth can transform your life, confidence and self-esteem – helping you to feel more confident about smiling in public.
“We treated a 45 year old female patient, who was self conscious her whole life about her smile. She was bullied in school and her family couldn’t afford braces. She thought the only way to straighten your teeth was through braces, which she had no interest in, as she felt too old to wear them. Then we introduced her to Invisalign,” says Dr Johnson.
“After 6 months of treatment she finally had the straight teeth she always wanted. She loved that you could hardly see them and could remove them for important events (e.g. public speaking with her job position). She was so happy that she cried when I showed her teeth before treatment and after. She now has the confidence to smile,” says Dr Johnson.
With Invisalign you can say goodbye to the thought of brackets, wires and restricted eating and still gain the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Where to get it
Clear Dental are certified providers of Invisalign treatments in Sydney City, Bella Vista, Berowra Heights and Chatswood. They also offer a range of Invisalign treatment options for teenagers.
Clear Dental offer a no gap check up, clean and X-rays for all new patients in a private health fund, and no gap for cosmetic, orthodontics, implant and Invisalign consultations. Clear Dental also offers financing options.
Call: (02) 9283 6220
