Invisalign Treatment for Teeth Straightening| Orthodontic Treatment

Teeth straightening and how to straighten teeth

Are you one of the 62% of Australians considering how to straighten teeth? Whether you're looking to improve aesthetics or fix your bite, teeth straightening can positively impact the way you talk, smile and eat while improving your overall health.

Teeth straightening has come a long way, and with a method such as Invisalign clear aligners, you could straighten your teeth without braces and keep your confidence and smile – even during treatment.

What is teeth straightening?

Teeth straightening is a general term used to describe an orthodontic process that corrects irregularities of the teeth. These irregularities tend to be caused by a malocclusion, which is a misalignment of your teeth and bite.

Types of malocclusions that may require bite and teeth straightening treatment include overbites, underbites, crossbites, gap teeth (diastema), crowded teeth, overlapping teeth and crooked teeth.

Why straighten teeth?

Most people seek teeth straightening treatment to improve one of their best assets – their smile. But did you know there are other important reasons to get your teeth straight? Check out why below.

Top six reasons why you should get teeth straightening treatment

Bite, chew and speak effectively

Permanent teeth straightening could improve crucial everyday functions such as chewing and speaking.

Avoid malocclusion complications

If you have a bite problem, teeth straightening may help you avoid painful symptoms and long-term complications related to your condition, including more serious TMJ disorders.

Easier teeth cleaning

Straightening crooked, crowded or overlapping teeth makes cleaning them easier, which can reduce the chances of tooth decay.

Lower chances of gum disease

It's harder for food and bacteria to get trapped between straighter teeth, contributing to healthier gums.

Improve teeth condition

Teeth straightening aligns your teeth, which means there can be less wear and tear due to teeth grinding and so on.

Confidence boost

According to a survey conducted by the Australian Society of Orthodontics, over 60% of Australians believe a good smile gives you confidence. Yet more than half of us feel self conscious about our teeth.

What's the best age for teeth straightening treatment?

Teeth straightening treatment is suitable for adults and children, depending on age and what's causing the teeth to need straightening. Most start getting their teeth straightened from around the age of twelve when all the adult teeth have come through.

Teeth straightening using Invisalign clear aligners is extremely popular with teenagers and adults of all ages. To see if you're a good candidate for Invisalign teeth straightening treatment, take our free Smile Assessment.

How to straighten teeth

Traditional braces are still used to straighten teeth, and while braces and Invisalign clear aligners may produce similar results, the aesthetics, treatment process, comfort and lifestyle benefits of the Invisalign system are quite different.

Check out the teeth straightening treatment options below. Then, head to our braces vs Invisalign treatment page to understand the pros and cons of each treatment.

Affordable teeth straightening options

The Invisalign system

could be one of the best teeth straightening options for adults and children alike, depending on needs, due to the use of virtually invisible aligners.

Ceramic braces

are a little less obvious than metal braces as they bond tooth-coloured porcelain or clear brackets to the teeth and use either metal or tooth-coloured wire.

Metal braces

use fixed metal brackets, archwire and rubber bands to straighten teeth by exerting pressure to guide them into place over time.

Lingual braces

metal brackets and archwires bond to the inside of the teeth, making them less visible. They can be more complicated to make and adjust so their cost could be higher than other types of braces.

How to straighten teeth without braces

Is there a way to straighten teeth without braces? Yes, there are affordable teeth straightening options besides braces with the Invisalign system being the most popular alternative to traditional braces of the past. Other straight teeth no braces options include:

Teeth straightening removable plates

Can I get a removable plate to straighten my teeth? Using removable plates to straighten teeth can be useful for younger children who still have their baby teeth. However, further teeth straightening, such as Invisalign treatment, is usually needed once all the adult teeth have come through.

Cosmetic dentistry for teeth straightening

If your teeth are only slightly askew, a cosmetic dentist may offer other ways to get teeth straight without braces. A simple procedure to sculpt the tooth or teeth into shape could be your answer. Alternatively, tooth-coloured porcelain veneers or crowns may help in mild teeth straightening cases.

Can Invisalign aligners straighten teeth?

As millions of satisfied smiles will affirm, the Invisalign system could be the best and fastest way to straighten teeth without braces. Start by finding a qualified Invisalign doctor who can assess your teeth straightening case and any underlying cause.

How to straighten teeth with Invisalign clear aligners

The Invisalign system uses a series of custom-made clear, removable plastic trays (aligners) to straighten teeth into the desired position over time. The aligners fit comfortably over the teeth and are changed approximately every two weeks. Take a look at the Invisalign treatment process here.

How long does Invisalign treatment take to straighten teeth?

Since everyone's case is different, the length of Invisalign teeth straightening treatment varies from person to person. The average teeth straightening treatment time for an adult is 12 to 18 months as opposed to around two years for traditional braces. Results with the Invisalign system usually start showing a few months after starting treatment.

The top benefits of straightening teeth with Invisalign treatment

Virtually invisible – our teeth straightening treatment uses clear aligners so you can smile with confidence, even during treatment.
Comfortable – there are no metal brackets to irritate your gums or the inside of your mouth.
Easy teeth brushing and flossing – removable aligners make it easier to maintain oral health during teeth straightening treatment.
Potentially fewer doctor visits than teeth straightening with traditional braces.
Visualise progress and get an indication of treatment length – your individually-mapped digital teeth straightening treatment plan visualises progressive movement from beginning to end.
Eat your favourite foods – unlike traditional braces, there are no restrictions as you remove your aligners to eat and drink.
Similar teeth straightening treatment cost to braces at some practices.

Start your journey to straighter teeth today

So, can the Invisalign system straighten my teeth? Take our free Smile Assessment. to find out if you're a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. Then, use our easy search tool to find a qualified Invisalign doctor near you and request an appointment with our Invisalign Smile Concierge team.

Congratulations on taking the first step to unlocking your best smile.