For many people, orthodontics is still synonymous with solutions that are aesthetically unpleasing and require compromises in everyday life.

However, modern dentistry has come a long way in recent years and decades, and orthodontic methods have emerged that do not restrict people in any way.

Invisible orthodontics, for example, can help you keep your teeth looking their best without being noticed, without having to worry about eating, maintaining good oral hygiene or even going out in public.

Invisalign orthodontics, for example, is a highly effective and invisible method that can give patients visible results in as little as a few months.

Because invisible orthodontics is a new technology, many people are not familiar with it in sufficient depth. That's why we've put together the most frequently asked questions below, the answers to which will help you make a decision.

Why choose invisible braces instead of traditional types?
There are several reasons for this! The question can be approached from an aesthetic point of view on the one hand, and from a design point of view on the other.

Aesthetically speaking, invisible braces are truly invisible because they are made of transparent material, so you don't have to miss out on activities at work or in your private life where looking good can be important.

With an invisible brace, you can smile with peace of mind because you won't see the metal elements of traditional braces on your teeth, which means easier cleaning and more sustainable oral hygiene.

Another advantage of invisible orthodontics is that it's predictable, as every step of the treatment is planned precisely.

All the aligner rails are made at the outset and need to be replaced at regular intervals to ensure the alignment of your teeth within the designated time frame.

In this case, there are no extended deadlines or extra inconveniences, and the entire duration of treatment can be planned and monitored.

What makes this type of braces invisible?
By making the rails from a completely transparent material, which is a reinforced yet biocompatible plastic, sufficiently strong despite its transparency to gently move the dentition.

This is based on extremely precise design and sampling, as the invisible braces must sit precisely on the tooth structure, hugging each tooth, but only applying pressure to those that are not properly aligned.

Invisible orthodontics therefore relies on several transparent splints that need to be replaced one after the other to achieve an aesthetically pleasing dentition.

How long should I wear my invisible braces?

In all cases, this depends on the patient and the case. A splint normally needs 6-7 days to make a visible change in the mouth. This requires at least 20-22 hours of wear per day.

However, the degree to which teeth can move varies from patient to patient, so it is easy for someone to need to wear the first splint for up to 10 days before the second one can snap into place.

Specific treatment lasts at least 3-6 months, depending on the severity of the lesion.

How painful is invisible orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatment is always a process that involves moving the teeth, which can be painful. Most patients only complain of a slight feeling of pressure, but some experience more discomfort at first.

It is important to know that most patients only experience pain when wearing the first splints, which typically rarely lasts longer than 2-4 days. After that, the problem disappears and the splints do their job in the mouth unnoticed, becoming invisible not only to the outside world but also to the wearer.

At Naturadent, we do everything we can to ensure that invisible orthodontics cause as little discomfort to the patient as possible, which is why our experienced and highly trained staff pay particular attention to this from the very beginning.

From the planning stage, we already use high-end 3Shape and iTero scanners to create braces that best fit the face and jaw, which helps to achieve aligned teeth quickly, effectively, and painlessly.

Is it possible that the rail does not fit exactly in the mouth?
As the most modern and accurate scanners ensure that orthodontic splints are made, it is very rare that they do not fit exactly in place.

The only problem is that the splints may press or scratch the gums or other parts of the mouth, which can be easily remedied with a quick polish, either at home with a nail file or in the surgery with a little polishing. However, it should be stressed that this is only necessary in very rare cases.

Many people think it's a problem when a gap develops between the splint and the denture. This is not a fault, the braces will still fit in place, they just need time to move the teeth enough to fit the splint perfectly.

In most cases, only a few days will be enough for the splint to fit the dentition, but there is no need to worry: the effectiveness of the braces is not negatively affected by such gaps.

Can I eat and drink while using the rails?
It is very important that invisible brace aligners are always removed from the mouth when eating or drinking. The only exception is when consuming plain water, which will not harm the aligners; however, in all other cases, they must be taken out.

It is also essential that after a meal, the braces are only replaced after thorough brushing and rinsing with clean water. This may cause some inconvenience for patients, but the end justifies the means, and in this case, that is the price to pay for beautiful teeth.

How can I clean my invisible braces?
It's essential that the invisible aligners are cleaned regularly. The only thing we need to be careful about here is keeping them away from hot water, as it can occasionally soften and deform the aligners, which has a negative impact on the process.

Accordingly, you should clean your braces with plain clean water and a toothbrush, but you can also use toothpaste and even direct braces cleaning products.

You have to wear the invisible braces continuously or can they be removed for a few hours?
The best results with invisible braces are achieved when the patient wears them as much as possible. According to recommendations, they should be worn for 20-22 hours a day, meaning they should be worn at night too, and can only be removed during meals and when brushing your teeth.

But that doesn't mean that if you want to take it out for a few hours or a day, you can't. After all, there are certain programmes or events where invisible braces can get in the way.

In this case, it doesn't need to be worn, but care must be taken that the given brace/splint will need to be worn for a longer period equivalent to the time it was not worn. Furthermore, it must not be forgotten that it is not recommended to omit wearing it for more than 24 hours consecutively, as this can cause problems.

Wearing invisible braces therefore takes dedication and consistency to get your teeth looking neat and aesthetic again!

What to do after the last rail has been installed?
If invisible braces have reached the stage of fitting the last aligner, it means the process is nearing its end. In such cases, a dental consultation is usually important so that a professional can also assess the results.

The final retainer plays a very important role going forward, so it must be handled with great care. It is essential because it may need to be worn for a longer period, or it may subsequently be necessary for maintenance purposes at regular intervals.

Unless the dentist says otherwise and we are happy with the result, the last splint should not be worn for more than 14-18 days to achieve the final denture.

Can invisible braces also be used for children?
Of course, but there are conditions. It is essential, for example, that this method can only be used when the child is mature enough to wear the rails properly under parental supervision.

Invisible braces are usually recommended for patients over the age of 10, but this does not mean that they cannot be used with good results in younger patients, provided that they ensure that they wear them at least 20-22 hours a day and that they are properly cleaned at school.

Invisible orthodontics therefore requires great self-discipline and commitment from patients, be they children or adults. If this and the above criteria are met, then nothing can prevent the use of the device in childhood.

Who is invisible braces recommended for?
Practically anyone who wants to straighten their teeth quickly and effectively, while also doing it discreetly, almost completely invisibly, and thus ensuring themselves a perfect smile.

Crucially, however, since the invisible brace is removable, the patient practically decides whether to wear it, so its use is only recommended with sufficient commitment.

If the aligners are not worn correctly or for the appropriate duration, patients may face an extended treatment time and a lack of rapid, visible results.

Why is it important for Invisalign treatment to be carried out at a Platinum II Provider dental practice?

The Platinum II Provider qualification can only be awarded to dental practices or orthodontic specialists who have successfully used Invisalign technology on an exceptionally large number of patients, with the NaturaDent dental practice being an example of one such provider.

The certification signifies a guarantee that we will be in good hands, as the treatment is carried out by experienced specialists in the clinic, who are capable of solving even more complex problems with the help of Invisalign.