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Straightening crooked teeth – our guide to invisible braces

Many clients come to us saying that they are unhappy with their crooked teeth, and asking what we can do for them.

In the past, the only available option was treatment by a specialist orthodontist with steel wires and brackets glued onto the teeth. This was often unacceptable to adult patients who found that this would interfere with their work and make them self conscious whilst undergoing the treatment.

In the last few years, several new ways of straightening crooked teeth without ugly metal braces have become available, including Clearstep and  Invisalign. They work by using clear plastic covers that fit closely over your teeth and gently move them into place over a period of weeks to months.

Our practice is very proud to be an accredited Clearstep provider and we will be very happy to see you for a free initial consultation to tell you about the process so that you can decide if it might be for you.

Frequently asked Questions

Can people I am talking to see my Clearstep braces?

No. They are completely clear and shaped to fit your teeth exactly so that they are impossible to detect in normal conversation

Is Clearstep as good as metal braces?

Clearstep is a cosmetic aligner, which makes your smile more even and your teeth straight. It is not suitable for correcting major faults in the bite. We will advise you if we think you would be better served by seeing a specialist orthodontist for your treatment.

How long does it take?

It varies from person to person but most courses of treatment take between 3 and 9 months, depending on complexity.

Will I have to wear retainers?

Yes. All tooth movements, no matter how achieved, and no matter how old the patient, are recommended to be maintained by long term retainers. These can be removable and worn at night only, or they can be small flat wires bonded to the back of the teeth. There is a risk of relapse of treatment if retainers are not worn. This risk is higher in adults than in children.

Does it hurt?

Most people find there is some discomfort or mild aching of the teeth in the first day or so after wearing a new aligner. This quickly settles down.

What does it cost?

The initial assessment and treatment plan will cost £300.
It is difficult to be precise with regards to the cost of your Clearstep aligners, as each person’s treatment varies considerably. Treatment can be simple, medium, or complex, and can cover one arch or both upper and lower arches of teeth. As a guideline, treatment starts at around £800 per arch.

Are there any risks in having treatment?

Clearstep is a very safe and effective method of improving your smile. The risks are small, and comparable to those of using any other method of moving teeth. These include gum inflammation and tooth decay if the teeth are not properly cleaned on a daily basis. There is also a small risk of some resorption of the roots of the teeth which are moved. This is reduced by making sure the teeth are moved slowly with gentle pressure.

What should I do if I want to find out more?

Come in and see us for a free consultation with one of our senior nurses. They will tell you what is involved and you can ask any questions. If you decide that Clearstep is a treatment that you would be interested in, then we will need to do a full Clearstep assessment. This involves us taking photos and x-rays of all your teeth and also a set of impressions. The appointment will take about 45 minutes. All the records will then be sent to the Clearstep laboratory for your personalised treatment plan to be produced, which will take around 2 – 3 weeks.