Blog Post

Let’s get things straight – Invisalign to the rescue

a woman is holding a clear brace in her mouth .

Tired of that protruding tooth? Did you have orthodontic braces when you were younger, but now your teeth have moved again? Or perhaps you just want to be able to smile with confidence. Duxton Dental’s Invisalign Christchurch dental clinic can help you; from teens to seniors; it’s never too late to get straight teeth.

What are Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign aligners are a much-favoured dental treatment; invisible braces that are comfortable and discreet and a successful alternative to traditional metal train track orthodontic braces. Rather than metal wires and brackets, Invisalign use transparent removable custom-made plastic trays or aligners to gently move the teeth. The clear aligners are replaced every two to four weeks with a typical new aligner moving each tooth up to 0.2 mm. This gradual movement of teeth to straighten them means the process remains comfortable.

By aligning the teeth, Invisalign aligners aesthetically improve the smile and are a successful dental treatment for:

A smile that has gaps or spacing
Teeth that are crooked or crowding up with age
Bite issues that could be causing your teeth to become worn, uneven or loose.

a black case with a blue tray filled with teeth .

What are the advantages of Invisalign aligners?

Other than getting a smile you could only previously dream of, Invisalign braces have numerous advantages over other methods of straightening teeth.

Invisible aligners: the main draw of Invisalign is they are invisible. There are no wires or metal involved, which makes them ideal for sensitive teens and adults alike – only you will know you are wearing them.

Removable: while patients have to wear their aligners for 22 hours a day during treatment, they are removable for mealtimes. Unlike traditional brace wearers, you don’t have to limit the food you normally enjoy or worry about getting food stuck in the wires. Invisalign are easy to keep clean and hygienic.

Comfortable: with such controlled movement of the teeth, Invisalign straightens teeth with minimum discomfort. New aligners can cause patients to feel a sense of pressure in their mouth which typically subsides after a day, but this can be alleviated with over-the-counter painkillers.

How to prepare for Invisalign aligners

Before you engage with any cosmetic dentistry service, it’s ideal to have a dental assessment to establish the health and condition of your teeth and oral health. If you visit a dentist who skips this stage, they are best avoided – even if they are offering the cheapest Invisalign braces in Christchurch. It needs to be determined that Invisalign is the best course of dental treatment to be safe, beneficial and effective. Duxton Dental offers a free initial assessment to determine if Invisalign is appropriate for you.

Once dental health is confirmed, a virtual representation is generated using the latest dental technologies. Duxton Dental are unashamedly proud of the technology we use; it allows for quick and 100% accurate monitoring, diagnosis and dental treatments, so less time is spent in the chair, and you achieve fantastic results.

Are you ready for straight teeth?

Changing your appearance is a big deal, especially when it has the potential to improve your self-esteem and how you feel about yourself, which in turn impacts how other people respond to you. Invisalign braces are more than a tool to give you straight teeth, they can be instrumental in transforming your life for the better. If you are curious about what you will look like after Invisalign treatment access the Invisalign Smileview simulator.

Are you ready for straight teeth? Come and visit our Christchurch orthodontics team at the Riccarton dental clinic. We’ll assess the best course of dental treatment you need to achieve the perfect healthy smile. Call 03 348 5488 today.

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A close up of a woman 's smile with white teeth and pink lips.

How to keep the whiteness of your whitened teeth

21 Apr, 2024

Once you've made the investment in a brighter, whiter smile through professional teeth whitening , you'll notice the immediate boost it gives to your confidence and self-esteem. While the joy of an improved and radiant smile is long lasting, it is not permanent. It can last from as short as a couple of months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person but also the lifestyle choices they make. If you had your cosmetic dental treatment with us at Duxton Dental’s clinic in Riccarton, you will know (in great detail) about how to maintain your newly whitened teeth. However, not all cosmetic dentists are as obsessed with aftercare. Here’s a summary of the maintenance information we give to help keep that sparkly smile for longer: Aftercare: 72 hours after you’ve whitened your teeth Teeth have a protective layer called the acquired pellicle and it is on the pellicle where stains on your teeth are found. During the teeth whitening process, this natural barrier is removed which means they are vulnerable to fresh staining. For the pellicle to develop again it takes between 12 to 24 hours. It’s best to avoid consuming anything that would stain a white shirt, this includes, but is not limited to: · Coffee · Colas · Red sauces including ketchup · Mustards · Soy sauce Eat only white and clear foods and drinks and avoid anything acid based for the first 72 hours. If you eat something dark, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth afterwards. If you are unable to do so, chew some sugar-free gum within 20 minutes. The saliva produced helps remove food and drink debris, neutralise acids in the mouth and help reduce any whitening-induced tooth sensitivity. During the first 72 hours, your teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay as well as staining, so be vigilant to the food and drink you are consuming. Here’s some examples of foods and drinks you can eat: · Milk and water · Bananas and apples with the peel removed · White bread and flour tortillas · Oatmeal, cream of wheat · Plain yoghurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese · White rice or baked potato · Plain pasta with a white sauce

A young girl wearing glasses is holding a model of teeth and braces.

Invisalign vs. braces: Which is best for you?

21 Apr, 2024

Are you considering straightening your teeth but feeling torn between the classic method of orthodontic braces and the innovative alternative of Invisalign? Invisalign and braces are two of the most popular orthodontic treatments available in Duxton Dental clinics in Christchurch. Both are highly effective at correcting misaligned teeth and improving smiles. So, which is best for you? Let's start by breaking down the key differences between Invisalign and braces: 1. Visibility Braces: traditional braces are conspicuous and obvious, with metal brackets and wires that are easily noticeable when you speak or smile. Some people feel self-conscious about their appearance during orthodontic treatment. Invisalign: Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible braces made from clear plastic that fits snugly over your teeth, making them discreet and barely noticeable to others. 2. Comfort Braces: the metal brackets and wires can sometimes cause discomfort, irritation, and even mouth sores, especially during the initial adjustment period. Your orthodontist may need to make further adjustments to make the brace more comfortable. Invisalign: Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth comfortably, with smooth edges that won't irritate your mouth. There can be some minor discomfort initially, but this is short lived and remedied by over-the-counter painkillers. Overall, they offer a more comfortable experience, with no wires or brackets to worry about. 3. Convenience Braces: with braces, certain foods need to be avoided to prevent damage to the brackets and wires. Maintaining oral hygiene can be a challenge due to the hardware obstructing thorough cleaning. Invisalign: one of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is its removability. You can easily remove the aligners before eating, so you can continue to enjoy all your favourite foods without restrictions. Your regular brushing and flossing routine remain the same as there are no brackets or wires to navigate around.