Complete Guide to Invisalign Treatment and Aftercare at Islington Smiles
Invisalign is a clear aligner system that straightens teeth using a series of custom-made, removable trays worn over the teeth — no metal brackets, no fixed wires. At Islington Smiles, treatment typically runs between 6 and 18 months depending on case complexity, with aligners replaced every one to two weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Invisalign aligners must be worn for 20–22 hours per day to stay on schedule.
- Treatment at Islington Smiles costs from £2,500, with the final figure depending on case complexity and the number of aligners required.
- Most patients require a retainer worn nightly after treatment to prevent teeth from shifting back.
- Aligners should be cleaned twice daily and removed before eating or drinking anything other than water.
- Islington Smiles patients typically complete a free initial consultation before any treatment plan is confirmed.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a sequence of clear, BPA-free plastic aligners to move teeth gradually into their correct position. Each aligner is slightly different from the last, applying controlled pressure to specific teeth at each stage. Unlike traditional braces, the aligners are virtually invisible and can be removed for eating, drinking, and cleaning.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Treatment begins with a 3D digital scan of your teeth, which Invisalign’s proprietary ClinCheck software uses to map out the full movement of your teeth from start to finish. A series of aligners is then manufactured to that specification. At Islington Smiles, patients receive a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, with check-up appointments every six to eight weeks to monitor progress.
Each aligner moves teeth by approximately 0.25 mm per stage. Over the full course of treatment, these small incremental shifts produce the final aligned result. Attachments — small tooth-coloured dots bonded to the teeth — are sometimes added to give aligners extra grip for more complex movements.
Invisalign vs Traditional Braces
| Option | Best For | Estimated Cost | Limitation |
|---|
| Invisalign | Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and bite issues | From £2,500 | Requires discipline to wear 20–22 hours daily |
| Fixed metal braces | Severe misalignment or complex bite correction | From £1,800 | Visible, cannot be removed, restrict diet |
| Ceramic braces | Patients wanting less visible fixed braces | From £2,200 | More fragile than metal; still fixed |
| Lingual braces | Patients needing fixed braces but maximum discretion | From £3,500 | Harder to clean; may affect speech initially |
Invisalign is well-suited to adults and older teenagers managing mild to moderate orthodontic issues. For severe skeletal discrepancies, fixed appliances or surgical options may be more appropriate — your clinician at Islington Smiles will advise at consultation.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost at Islington Smiles?
Invisalign treatment at Islington Smiles starts from £2,500 for shorter cases using Invisalign Lite (up to 14 aligners). Full Invisalign, covering more complex cases with unlimited refinements, sits higher in the range. The final cost is confirmed only after a clinical assessment and digital scan.
Interest-free finance is available, spreading the cost over an agreed period without additional charge. Patients should factor in the cost of retainers post-treatment, typically £150–£250 per retainer, as these are separate from the treatment fee.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
Treatment length depends on how much tooth movement is required. At Islington Smiles, straightforward cases using Invisalign Lite average 3–6 months. Full Invisalign cases for moderate complexity typically take 12–18 months. In our clinical experience, patients who wear aligners for the full 20–22 hours per day complete treatment on or ahead of the projected timeline in the majority of cases.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect During Treatment
- Book a free consultation at Islington Smiles to discuss your goals and clinical suitability.
- Receive a 3D iTero scan of your teeth — no messy impressions required.
- Review your ClinCheck plan, a digital preview showing the projected movement of your teeth.
- Collect your first set of aligners and receive fitting instructions from your clinician.
- Wear each set of aligners for 20–22 hours daily, removing only to eat, drink (anything other than water), and clean your teeth.
- Attend check-up appointments every six to eight weeks so your clinician can confirm teeth are tracking correctly.
- Complete refinements if needed — small adjustments at the end of treatment to fine-tune the result.
- Begin retainer wear immediately after active treatment ends, initially full-time then nightly long-term.
How Should You Care for Invisalign Aligners?
Aligners should be rinsed in cool water each time they are removed. Clean them with a soft toothbrush and clear, unscented soap — never toothpaste, which is abrasive enough to scratch the plastic and make them more visible. Soaking aligners in Invisalign cleaning crystals or a diluted retainer cleaning solution for 15–20 minutes daily removes bacteria and prevents discolouration.
Never eat or drink anything except plain water while wearing aligners. Heat warps the plastic, so hot drinks must always be avoided with aligners in.
What Happens After Invisalign? Aftercare and Retention
Retainers are non-negotiable after Invisalign. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back towards their original position — a process called relapse — and retainers prevent this. At Islington Smiles, patients are provided with either a clear removable retainer or a fixed wire bonded to the back of the teeth, depending on clinical preference and the case.
Removable retainers should be worn every night, indefinitely. Fixed retainers require flossing underneath the wire daily using a floss threader or interdental brush. Skipping retention is the single most common reason patients see their results deteriorate after treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Invisalign painful?
Invisalign is not painful in the way fixed braces can be, but patients typically experience pressure and mild discomfort for 24–72 hours after switching to a new aligner set. This is normal and indicates the aligners are working. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol manages this effectively.
Can I eat normally during Invisalign treatment?
Yes. Because aligners are removable, there are no dietary restrictions during treatment. You remove the aligners before eating, eat normally, clean your teeth, then replace the aligners.
How often do I need to visit the dentist during Invisalign treatment?
At Islington Smiles, check-up appointments are scheduled every six to eight weeks. These appointments allow the clinician to confirm teeth are tracking correctly and issue the next sets of aligners where appropriate.
Will Invisalign affect my speech?
Most patients notice a slight lisp during the first few days of wearing a new aligner. This resolves quickly as the tongue adapts. The majority of patients report no noticeable speech change after the first week.
What happens if I lose an aligner?
Contact your Dentist London practice immediately. Depending on your stage in treatment, you will either wear the previous set of aligners or move forward to the next set while a replacement is ordered. Do not leave the gap unfilled, as teeth can shift within days.
Do I need to wear a retainer forever after Invisalign?
Yes. Nightly retainer wear is recommended indefinitely to maintain your result. Teeth continue to change throughout life, and retention is the only reliable way to protect the outcome of your treatment.
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