The well-informed patient - or, It must be true, I read it on the Internet!

Will Invisalign work for me?

Most people who see me for consultation have already done a fair bit of homework.  They want to find out if their problems can be fixed with Invisalign, and have discovered that I "specialise" in orthodontics using Invisalign.  They have invested the time and effort to research information on the 'Net, through Google and other search engines.

For an initial consultation, we reserve a 40 minute appointment.  This may sound like a long time, but there is a lot of detail to go through, and I like to cover as much as possible, so that there are no hidden surprises during treatment.  This is not always practicable or achievable - but we try our best.

It is always helpful in these consultations if patients have done good research, and especially if they arrive prepared to ask questions.  One of the problems that confronts lay people is that orthodontists are like economists - if you ask 4 of them, you can get 12 different opinions.  This is because orthodontics is similar to politics, religion or sport.  We all have our favourites and our dislikes.  Sometimes this is based on education and experience, but often it can be blind prejudice.

Invisalign is an innovative technique, which requires further training and lifelong learning, even after all the years spent qualifying as an orthodontist.  Just like any other orthodontic appliance, it is a way of applying force to teeth and their supporting structures, to cause them to move.  There the similarity ends!

Orthodontists spend 3 years or more in post-graduate study, to allow them to become registered as specialists.  At most Universities the great majority of this time is spent learning to use fixed braces of various types.  This is currently perceived as the standard appliance.  As with many professions, orthodontics accepts innovation grudgingly, cautiously, and with suspicion. 

Invisalign stands out from most other orthodontic appliances in many ways, and this is where those differing opinions will cause confusion, and often distress, to prospective patients seeking certainty.

Using search engines to research Invisalign will often return Wiki-style pages, and Forums, with vastly differing levels of response and honesty. 

I sometimes visit such websites, and it is worrying how often the same questions are repeated, and how varied the responses can be in accuracy and reliability. 

So, here are some of those questions that I have found, and the answers I might give. 

Remember that what follows is only my personal opinion, based on 32 years as an orthodontist, over 10 years as a lecturer/senior lecturer teaching trainee dentists and orthodontists, 10 years using Invisalign, and having treated my wife, and all 4 of our children! 

Maybe you can find answers to some of your questions here.  If not, feel free to use the Contact Us form.

Does Invisalign work?

Definitely!  Over 1.5 million people have been treated with Invisalign, over the past 13 years.  This would not be possible if the technique did not work.

There are some things that Invisalign does well and others where a different type of braces would be better.  Have a read of the "Braces or Invisalign, which is better?" page, for more information.

How long does it take?

This is like the old "how long is a piece of string" question. You will be given a guesstimate at your consultation appointment.  You can organise a consultation either by calling us (07 3366 0022), or using the "Request a Consultation" form.

On average, the majority of Invisalign treatment is over in about 12 months.  There is often some refinement required, which can add another few months. 

The shortest treatment time I have had was only 3 months, and the longest, nearly 4 years!

How much does it cost?

Again, impossible to give a definite answer, because of the different degrees of complexity and treatment time.  A guide is given on the "Costs" page, and examples of easy/moderate/complex cases can be found on the "Portfolio" page.

For a definitive quote, a consultation is the only option.

More of these Q&As will follow on later pages.