Clear Aligners & Invisalign in Lincoln

Treatment duration depends entirely on your individual case complexity and how much your teeth need to move. Minor crowding or small gaps might be corrected in just 3-6 months. Average cases typically take 9-12 months. More complex situations involving significant crowding, rotation, or bite correction may require 12-18 months. During your free consultation at St Mary's Dental, we'll examine your teeth and provide an accurate timeline estimate for your specific situation.

Clear aligners don't cause pain, but you'll definitely feel pressure and tightness when you start each new set - this sensation means they're actively working to move your teeth! This feeling typically subsides within a day or two. Most Lincoln patients find aligners significantly more comfortable than traditional metal braces, which can have sharp brackets and wires that irritate the soft tissues of your mouth.

For best results and to stay on schedule with your treatment plan, you need to wear your clear aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Remove them only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing/flossing. Patient compliance is absolutely crucial - wearing them less than recommended will slow your progress significantly and may compromise your final results.

Yes! This is one of the major advantages over traditional braces. You simply remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything except water, so there are no food restrictions whatsoever. You can enjoy crunchy apples, sticky toffee, corn on the cob - everything that's problematic with fixed braces. Just brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.

Modern clear aligner systems like Invisalign can treat a surprisingly wide range of orthodontic issues including crowding, gaps between teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and general misalignment. However, very severe or complex cases may still need traditional braces. We'll assess your specific situation during your free consultation and let you know honestly whether clear aligners are suitable for you.

Contact our practice immediately if this happens. Depending on your treatment stage, we might advise you to move to your next aligner in the series, revert to the previous one, or order a replacement. Don't go for extended periods without wearing aligners as your teeth can shift back toward their original positions, potentially undoing weeks of progress.

At St Mary's Dental, clear aligner treatment typically costs between £2,500 for straightforward cases and £5,500 for complex treatments. Most Lincoln patients pay £3,500-£4,500 depending on their individual needs. We offer flexible finance plans from £99 per month to make treatment affordable. Your free consultation includes a detailed personalised quote with no hidden costs.

Yes, retainers are absolutely essential for maintaining your beautiful straight smile. Once your teeth reach their ideal positions, they need to be held there while the surrounding bone and tissues adapt to the new arrangement. We include custom retainers as part of your treatment package. Most patients wear them full-time initially, then transition to nighttime wear indefinitely to ensure teeth stay straight.