Invisalign in Surrey

It depends on the complexity of the case. Most adults complete Invisalign in 6 to 18 months. Milder cases, such as minor spacing or crowding, may take as little as 3 to 6 months with a shorter course of aligners. More complex bite corrections take longer.

At your consultation a 3D scan models your proposed tooth movements, which gives a realistic idea of your timeline before you commit.

No. The aligners are fully removable, so you take them out to eat and drink and there are no dietary restrictions. You can eat whatever you like, provided you brush your teeth and clean your aligners before putting them back in.

To get the expected result, aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day; wearing them less slows tooth movement and can affect your outcome.

Both move teeth effectively, but they differ in visibility, comfort and suitability. Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, removable and usually cause less irritation to the cheeks and gums than metal or ceramic brackets. Fixed braces work continuously regardless of how long you wear them.

Invisalign is highly effective for mild to moderate misalignment, spacing and crowding, and suits adults who want discretion. For severe or complex tooth movements, fixed braces may give a more predictable result. We tell you which suits your case at your consultation and only recommend Invisalign when it is right for your teeth.

Yes. Aligners can be removed for photographs, presentations or social occasions. Short periods without them will not affect your treatment, provided your daily wear time stays at 20 to 22 hours.

Frequent or long removal slows progress and may need extra aligner stages, so treat removal as the exception.

Invisalign suits most adults with mild to moderate concerns, including crowded teeth, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite, subject to assessment. It is not always the best option for severe skeletal problems or complex bite issues that need surgical orthodontics.

Thames Dental & Skin is a specialist-led practice, with in-house specialists to call on for complex cases, and we treat a wide range of cases. At your consultation a 3D smile scan gives us, and you, a clear picture of what Invisalign can achieve for you.

Yes, and this combination is increasingly popular. Invisalign first corrects the position of the teeth; once treatment is complete, composite bonding or porcelain veneers refine the shape, size and colour of individual teeth. Together they give a result neither treatment achieves alone.

Bonding and veneers are always placed after Invisalign, because restorations placed before alignment would need replacing once the teeth move. We plan the sequence with you at your consultation.

Invisalign does not usually cause the sharp discomfort associated with traditional braces, but most patients feel some pressure or aching for 24 to 48 hours when they move to a new set of aligners. This is a sign the aligners are working.

Mild discomfort is manageable with ordinary pain relief if needed, and the smooth, trimmed edges of the aligners rarely irritate the mouth.

Invisalign cost depends on the length of treatment, with shorter courses for minor crowding or spacing costing less than full treatment. Your £60 consultation (30 minutes) includes a 3D smile scan and smile simulation worth £150, and the £60 is redeemed against your treatment if you go ahead.

You receive a fixed written quote at your consultation, with 0% finance available from £125 a month over 12 months, subject to status. Ask us about current offers when you book.

In most cases, no. Most UK dental insurance policies do not cover adult cosmetic or elective orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. Some comprehensive plans contribute towards orthodontic costs, so check your policy wording with your insurer before your consultation.

At Thames Dental & Skin 0% finance is available, so the cost can be spread over a set period without interest. Full pricing is discussed at your consultation.

Yes. Wearing a retainer after Invisalign is essential. Once the aligners have moved your teeth, the bone and ligaments around them need time to stabilise, and without a retainer teeth drift back towards their original position.

Most patients wear clear removable retainers at night long term; in some cases a fixed wire retainer bonded behind the teeth is recommended. Retainer advice is part of every Invisalign plan.

Clear aligners is the general name for the treatment, and Invisalign is its most established brand. At Thames we use Invisalign for its track record, its iTero 3D scanning and the predictability of its planning, with every case planned and reviewed in person by our own clinicians.

We would advise caution. Mail-order aligners move your teeth without a dentist examining your mouth first, so decay, gum disease or bite problems can be missed, and nobody checks your progress in person.

Moving teeth is a clinical treatment. At Thames, every case starts with an examination and a 3D scan, is planned by your dentist, and is reviewed in person throughout.

Often, yes. Aligners can straighten your remaining teeth, and in some cases make or hold the space for an implant or bridge afterwards.

Because our team includes a specialist prosthodontist, alignment and tooth replacement can be planned together, so treatment happens in the right order. It depends on your case, which is exactly what your consultation establishes.

Yes. Thames Dental & Skin is in Thames Ditton, Surrey, and provides Invisalign for patients from Kingston upon Thames, Esher, Surbiton, Walton-on-Thames, Molesey, Hinchley Wood and Long Ditton. Thames is a specialist-led practice, and we treat a wide range of cases and regularly welcome patients who could not find an experienced provider locally.

Your consultation includes a 3D smile scan, so you can see a simulation of your result before making any commitment. Contact us to book.