Everywhere we look, whether it is on TV or on social media, it seems almost everyone has perfectly-straight white teeth. So, it is no wonder more and more people are looking into the possibility of ‘embracing’ the trend and correcting overcrowded or squint teeth.
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For those who want to look their best by making the most of what they have got, braces or – the more invisible and less obvious – clear aligners are the perfect solution.
But before we all flock to one of the clinics where you take your own impressions and sign up for discounted offers on teeth-straightening and clear aligners, check first with your local dentist if they offer the treatment too, as they can provide the best advice for their patients.
Roshan Fernandez and Julie Rafferty are both offering clear aligners treatment at Andrew Scott Dental Care in Aberdeen.
Roshan explained why you should go to your dental practice for this treatment: “Cheap alternatives cannot be accurately assessed as they are done by impressions taken by the client, plus there is no face-to-face management of the case. Things that are done by the dentist in surgery – like interproximal reduction and composite tags for retention of the aligners – are not available on the cheap online options.
“And, there’s no option of fixed retainers at end of treatment.”
Here, Roshan and Julie give us the lowdown on aligners.
What are clear aligners?
Julie explained: “Clear aligners are a series of bespoke removable aligners which line up your teeth to make your smile straighter. They are worn full time and are removed for eating and brushing teeth.”
How much do clear aligners cost?
Roshan said: “The cost varies due to the complexity of the case so can vary from £1,200 to £4,500. However, the cost can be spread across several months or a year or two thanks to flexible finance options offered by the practice.”
Do clear aligners really work?
Julie said: “Yes they slowly move the teeth into their correct positions by exerting gentle pressure on the teeth.”
What type of issues can they address?
“They are mostly for aligning anterior (front) teeth, they can correct crowded/rotated teeth as well as close spaces,” explained Roshan.
How long until I see a difference?
“You usually start to see changes quite quickly within first few aligners though depends on the case,” advised Julie.
How long does treatment take?
“Depends on the case so anything from several months to a year on average,” explained Roshan.
How often do I see a dentist?
“Each aligner is worn for two weeks so can be changed with the dentist to check progress at two or four-week intervals,” Julie added.
Are clear aligners painful?
Roshan advised: “They are designed to put enough pressure on the teeth to move them but they shouldn’t cause too much discomfort. They will feel tight for the first few days of each aligner and then feel more comfortable for the remaining two weeks.”
Andrew Scott Dental Care has a special interest in clear aligners. If you would like to start your journey towards straighter teeth, contact this Aberdeen dental surgery by calling 01224 806700 or visit the website.
The practice welcomes new patients. There are a number of finance options available to patients who wish to spread the cost.
