Invisalign and fixed braces combination, treatment

Invisalign & Fixed Braces

Many orthodontists try to compare Invisalign to traditional braces, claiming that one or the other is better. The reality, however, is that all orthodontic treatments are perfect for the right patient and that no limitation should exist when designing the therapy that will give you exactly what you need.

The Treatment

This reasoning is behind all combination treatments offered at Moira Wong Orthodontics, including Invisalign aligners and fixed braces. For our patients with more complex cases that require a sophisticated solution, our orthodontists will give you a choice of fixed braces and add the Invisalign aligners at the point of time, most suitable for the alignment you need.

This advanced approach can be the perfect choice for your treatment if:

  • you have missing teeth and would like to avoid implants – in the hands of our experienced orthodontists it may be possible to align your teeth and correct the bite closing gaps caused by the loss of teeth with age
  • many of your teeth need rotation to align and you’re pressed on time – fixed braces are notoriously better at teeth rotation and the use of them in combination with Invisalign can shorten your treatment duration by months (if not years)
  • you have severe overcrowding but want to avoid extractions – in some instances fixed braces can provide the additional support required for more overcrowded bites, where Invisalign would struggle.

The choice of fixed braces you have is also quite large, and your orthodontist can help you decide between:

  • lingual fixed braces – attached at the rear of your teeth and completely invisible, entirely custom-made
  • traditional metal or clear attachments – highly efficient and providing your orthodontist with maximum control over the movement
  • clear or metal self-ligating – similar in looks to traditional braces but using miniature clips to hold the archwire (instead of elastic bands).

During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will advise you which is the best option for your specific requirements and explain why, so you can make an informed decision.

The biggest benefit to using a combination treatment of Invisalign and fixed braces is that after the “heavy lifting”, or in other words most difficult part of the treatment, is done at the start, you get to enjoy the inconspicuousness and comfort of Invisalign aligners for the fine adjustment period, which traditionally requires more time.

Additionally, having become adjusted to treatment while adapting to the fixed brackets means that transitioning to Invisalign aligners and the miniature tooth-coloured attachment will be a breeze for you.

The Process

Consultation

Consultation

During your initial consultation we will carry out a full orthodontic assessment – this will require photos and X-rays to be taken. At Moira Wong Orthodontics we take our time and make sure we understand your concerns and requirements fully. Once the examination is complete, your orthodontist will be able to discuss the combination treatment of Invisalign and fixed braces with you and help you choose from the many options available to you.

Treatment Plan

Treatment plan

When you make your selection, we’ll prepare a full treatment plan. This document explains what will happen throughout your treatment, the projected duration, costs, etc. The treatment plan doesn’t include your biological response to treatment (which is different from a person to person) and will be the guidance we’ll use and adapt as we go to ensure you have the best possible experience with the most incredible results.

First Appointment

First appointment

When you agree to the proposed treatment, we will schedule your first appointment to begin. Depending on your treatment plan this first appointment may include the bonding of fixed braces, or even only taking impressions – depending on the choice of fixed braces this will vary from case to case. After this initial appointment, we’re likely to want to see you more often to ensure that the accelerated part of your treatment benefits the most from the guidance of your orthodontist.


Regular Adjustments

Regular adjustments

As mentioned above, we’re likely to want to see you more often during the initial stage of your treatment. Once this process is over, you’ll need to come to the clinic every 6 or 8 weeks. If you’re very busy or simply want to travel without a single worry in the world, talk to us about remote dental appointments – we have tons of tricks up our sleeve to give you the orthodontic experience you want and deserve.

Retention Period

Retention period

At the end of your treatment, when your teeth and your bite have been appropriately adjusted, we will remove any attachments from your Invisalign braces, as well as all fixed brace brackets (if your treatment required them for the entire duration). To ensure the retention of the achieved results and avoid relapse, we will place a fixed retainer. The fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of the upper and lower front teeth. It keeps them together and prevents them from moving, and you’ll never know it’s there!



We will also provide you with a set of removable retainers for you to wear overnight. The removable retainers are clear thin aligners that go over your teeth. They will help ensure your teeth are protected from moving and prevent you from grinding and applying forces that might affect the achieved results. Finally, we will see you for regular appointments approximately every three months during the first year post your orthodontic treatment. These appointments aim to closely monitor how your teeth behave post-treatment and react promptly if there are any changes.

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    You can book an appointment online, or by giving us a call on 020 7368 6611.