By the team at SmartDontics, Surbiton. Reviewed by Dr. Darsh Patel, Specialist Orthodontist
A lot of people tell us they’ve been thinking about Invisalign for years. Not months, years. If that sounds familiar, autumn is a good time to finally book in.
Most mild to moderate Invisalign cases take somewhere between six and twelve months. So if you start in October or November, there’s a good chance you’ll be finished, or very nearly, by next summer.
Invisalign doesn’t work any better in one season than another. But the timing of an autumn start suits most people’s lives, for a few reasons.
Our top 5 reasons why autumn works well for Invisalign
1. You could be finished by summer
When people come in for a consultation, there’s often a date in the back of their mind. It might be a wedding next June, a holiday they’ve been saving for, or graduation photos. Work backwards six to twelve months from next summer and you end up roughly where we are now. If you wait until March or April, that becomes a lot harder to hit.
2. The first couple of weeks are easier when things are quiet
New aligners take a little getting used to. Your teeth will probably feel tender for a day or two each time you change to a new set, and some people speak with a slight lisp for the first few days. Neither lasts long. Still, most people would rather deal with that in a quiet October than in the middle of July, with barbecues, weddings and trips away.
3. It’s easier to build the habit after the summer holidays
Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, which means taking them out only to eat, drink and brush. In practice, that’s easiest when your days have a bit of structure. Once the kids are back at school and work has settled down after the summer, wearing your aligners soon becomes part of the routine.
4. By Christmas, you won’t think twice about them
If you start in October or November, you’ll be well used to your aligners by December. They come out when you eat, so Christmas dinner is exactly the same as usual. Brush your teeth afterwards and pop them back in.
5. You’ll be ahead of everyone who starts in January
We always see a rise in enquiries after New Year, when people decide this is the year they’ll sort their teeth out. Start in the autumn and you’ll already be a few months in by then.
What happens during Invisalign treatment at SmartDontics?
The first step is a free consultation with Dr Darsh Patel, our specialist orthodontist. He’ll look at your teeth and gums, ask what’s bothering you about your smile and tell you plainly whether Invisalign is a good fit. If it is, we’ll take a 3D scan of your teeth, so you can see how they’re planned to move before you commit to anything.
Once your aligners arrive, we’ll fit the first set and go through how to clean and look after them. After that, you’ll move on to a new set every week or two.
We use Dental Monitoring, so you can send us scans from your phone in between visits and we can check how things are going without you needing to come in. It’s one of the reasons many of our patients get through treatment in as few as five appointments. When you’re done, our Retainers 4 Life programme helps keep your teeth where they should be.
Common Invisalign questions
Is autumn really the best time to start Invisalign?
The treatment itself works the same all year round. Autumn is just a practical time for a lot of people, because you get through the settling-in period before Christmas and stand a good chance of finishing before summer.
How long will my treatment take?
That depends on how much your teeth need to move. Many mild to moderate cases take six to twelve months, but Dr Patel will give you a proper estimate once he’s seen you.
Can you start Invisalign before Christmas?
Yes, and October or November is a good time to do it. You’ll be used to your aligners by December, and you just take them out for meals.
Does Invisalign hurt?
Most people describe it as pressure or tightness rather than pain. You’ll usually feel it for a day or two after switching to a new set, and then it eases off.
Will you have to change what you eat?
No. You take your aligners out whenever you eat, so you can carry on as normal. Just brush your teeth before you put them back in.
How long do you need to wear the aligners each day?
Between 20 and 22 hours. Take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush your teeth, and keep them in the rest of the time.
Can you spread the cost?
Yes, we offer interest-free payment options. We’ll go through them with you at your consultation, so you know exactly what you’d be paying before you decide.
Where is SmartDontics?
We’re at 8 Central Parade, St Mark’s Hill, Surbiton, KT6 4PJ. It’s about a minute’s walk from Surbiton station, and there’s parking nearby. Patients come to us from across Surbiton, Kingston and the surrounding area.
How will you know if Invisalign is right for you?
The simplest way is to come in for a free consultation. If Invisalign isn’t the best option for your teeth, we’ll tell you, and we’ll talk you through what would work better.
Book a free Invisalign consultation at SmartDontics
If Invisalign has been on your mind for a while, this autumn is as good a time as any to come and talk to us about it. The consultation is free, and you don’t have to decide anything on the day.
You can book online or call us on 020 8399 6333.
Everyone’s teeth are different, so Invisalign results and treatment times vary. We’ll need to see you in person to confirm whether Invisalign is suitable for you.