Clear Aligners and Invisalign in Leeds
Clear aligners are removable, near-invisible trays that move teeth gradually into a better position. They are the adult alternative to fixed braces for crowding, spacing and mild to moderate bite problems. Twilight Dental provides clear aligner treatment, including Invisalign, at our clinic in Woodhouse, Leeds, with evening appointments seven days a week.
How aligner treatment works
- A digital plan made from scans or impressions shows the intended movement before you start.
- A series of trays, each worn for one to two weeks, moves the teeth in small increments.
- 22 hours a day is the wear time that makes treatment work — out for eating, drinking anything but water, and cleaning.
- Typical treatment ranges from a few months for minor cases to 12 to 18 months for more complex ones.
- Retainers afterwards are essential, permanently. Teeth move back if you stop wearing them.
- Starts with a £24 consultation and an honest assessment of whether aligners suit your case.
What aligners treat well
- Crowded front teeth
- Spacing and gaps
- Teeth that have drifted after previous orthodontics
- Mild to moderate overbite and crossbite
- Alignment before cosmetic work, so that bonding or veneers can be minimal rather than heavy
Severe skeletal discrepancies, significant bite corrections and some rotations are better handled with fixed braces or by an orthodontic specialist. We will tell you if that is your situation rather than starting something that will disappoint you.
What to expect
- Assessment. Examination, X-rays where needed and a check that the gums and teeth are healthy enough to move.
- Records and planning. Photographs and a digital scan, from which a treatment plan and a simulation of the result are produced.
- Fitting. Small tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to certain teeth to help the aligners grip and move them.
- Progress reviews, usually every six to eight weeks, with new trays issued as you go.
- Refinement. A final short series is often used to perfect the detail.
- Retention. Fixed or removable retainers to hold the result.
Living with aligners
- They must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Treatment stalls quickly if they are not.
- Take them out to eat and to drink anything other than water — hot drinks warp them and coloured drinks stain them.
- Clean your teeth before putting them back in; trapped sugar against enamel causes decay quickly.
- Expect a mild lisp for the first few days and tightness for a day after each new tray.
- Keep them in their case. Most lost aligners go out with a paper napkin at lunch.
Straighten first, then finish
Aligning the teeth before cosmetic treatment usually means less tooth needs to be removed or covered afterwards. A patient who straightens first and then has minimal bonding keeps far more of their own enamel than one who has thick veneers placed over crooked teeth. If whitening is part of the plan, it is done at the end, before the final shade is matched.
Clear aligners — your questions answered
Are clear aligners painful?
Not painful, but each new tray feels tight for a day or so. That pressure is the treatment working.
Will people notice them?
They are far less visible than fixed braces. Attachments on the front teeth can be seen close up, but most people do not notice them in conversation.
How long does treatment take?
Simple cases can finish within a few months; more involved ones take 12 to 18 months. You will be given an estimate at the planning stage.
Do I have to wear retainers forever?
Yes, in some form. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back, and retention is the only thing that prevents it. This applies to any orthodontic treatment.
Can I whiten my teeth during treatment?
Usually at the end rather than during, once the teeth are in their final positions.
What if aligners are not right for my case?
We will tell you at the consultation and, where appropriate, refer you to an orthodontic specialist rather than compromise the result.
What does it cost?
Aligner fees are shown on our price list, and you will have a written plan before you commit.
Find out whether aligners suit your teeth
A £24 consultation gives you an examination and a straight answer, with costs in writing. Call 0113 819 7865 or book online.
