Long gone are the days of painfully obvious train track braces to achieve a straight smile—it's all about Invisalign, the celeb-approved way to achieve perfect teeth without resorting to veneers. Simply put, Invisalign is a process that involves wearing clear aligners that slowly move your teeth to their optimum position. They're convenient to wear and unlike traditional braces are mostly invisible to the casual observer.
"When compared to traditional braces, Invisalign and traditional braces are both effective at straightening teeth, but they have distinct advantages depending on your needs. Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, removable, and more comfortable as they lack wires or brackets," explains Dr Imran Sayed, Clinical Director and Partner at Chelsea & Fulham Dentist.
"Traditional braces might be better for severe or complex cases, but Invisalign handles most cosmetic alignment issues excellently. Invisalign often works faster than traditional braces, typically completing treatment within 6-12 months, whereas braces might take 18-24 months or more. The exact duration depends on your individual case."
Invisalign has seemingly never been so popular with an influx of celebs resorting to the easy brace solution to fix their pearly whites. Just recently, Sam Faiers, Maura Higgins, Molly Marsh and Indiyah Polack have all shared their teeth-straightening journeys with their mammoth fan base.
I had Invisalign for the first time over six months ago and it's been a truly life-changing experience. I had train track braces when I was 14 which was a harrowing experience (lol) and I cried nonstop for two weeks when they were first fitted. Did they work, yes, but like many adults, I 'forgot' to wear the nighttime retainer.
Now with almost straight teeth after just a few moments of wearing Invisalign, I can't believe how easy the experience is.
My top tips for Invisalign? Go to a well-recommended dentistry practice you trust and if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. I visited Dr Imran Sayed at Chelsea & Fulham Dentist who took time to take in-depth scans of my teeth and gums, discussed my desired results at length and was on hand to make bespoke tweaks to my finished smile throughout.
Another tip to anyone about to start their Invisalign journey is to invest in a few game-changing buys that make the experience even more of a doddle
Dr Imran Sayed advises, "A soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste must be used daily to keep your aligners clean and avoid scratches. Cleaning products like aligner cleaning crystals or pods can help keep your aligners fresh and odour-free. Travel cases are essential to help keep your aligners safe during meals (as opposed to wrapping them in tissue and accidentally binning them)! “Chewies’ are small chewable tools and can be helpful for seating your aligners snugly.
Shop the game-changing buys that have really transformed my Invisalign journey below:
1.
Ultrasonic Retainer Cleaner
AmazonCleaning your aligners daily is a non-negotiable and a cleaning pod is by far the easiest way to do so. The device uses 45kHz high-frequency to deeply clean even the hard-to-reach areas for a thorough and fresh clean.
2.
Retainer Brite Cleaning Kit Including 96 Tablets
AmazonIf you don't fancy investing in a fancy pod to keep your aligners clean, this kit is the next best thing. It even comes with soft and narrow bristle cleaning brushes for unmatched hygiene.
3.
Aligner and Retainer Case
AmazonAs Dr Sayeed pointed out, a dedicated travel case for your aligners is important to keep them safe and clean during meals out. This one is my go-to and yes, just because it's pink.
Bootswww.boots.com
If you're in the market for a new toothbrush, the SURI is by far the best IMO. It's made with recyclable plant-based heads and bristles, has a brilliant battery life and comes with a self-cleaning travel case for unmatched hygiene.
5.
Dental Teeth Chewies
AmazonChewies ensure that your aligners are fully seated on your teeth making your treatment progress faster. A must-have if you're struggling to get a snug fit.
Aimee Jakes is heat’s trending content editor. As well as writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she’s forever chatting to celebs about their fancy beauty routines. Follow her on Instagram here.