The exact timings depend on how much your teeth need to move. Simple cases can take a matter of months. More complex ones take longer.

Step 1: The consultation

Everything starts with a conversation. At St James Dental Surgery, the first Invisalign consultation is free, and it is relaxed and unhurried.

We ask what you would like to change. We examine your teeth, gums and bite. And we check your mouth is healthy enough to start. Gum disease and decay need treating first, because moving teeth through unhealthy gums causes problems.

This is also the moment to ask questions. How long will it take? Will it show? Can I have it with my existing crowns or bonding? Honest answers now save surprises later.

Step 2: The digital scan and treatment plan

If Invisalign looks right for you, we take a 3D scan of your teeth with our iTero digital scanner. It builds a detailed 3D map of your mouth in a few minutes, with no putty trays or messy impressions.

Then we use the Invisalign planning software to map out your treatment. It shows how each tooth will move, step by step, and what the final result is expected to look like. You can see the plan and discuss it before anything is made.

Nothing is made until you are happy with the plan. If you want to adjust the goal, this is the stage to do it.

Step 3: Your aligners are made

Once the plan is approved, it is sent to Invisalign. Your aligners are made to fit your teeth exactly, as a series of trays, each slightly different from the last. They are then sent to us.

This usually takes a couple of weeks.

Step 4: Fitting your first aligners

When your aligners arrive, you come in for a fitting. We check the first set fits properly and show you how to put them in and take them out. You also get clear instructions on wear time and cleaning.

Sometimes we add small tooth-coloured bumps called attachments to certain teeth. They give the aligners something to grip, so they can move your teeth more precisely. They are the same colour as your teeth and are removed at the end of treatment.

In some cases, we also create tiny amounts of space between teeth by gently smoothing the sides. This is called reduction, and it is done carefully when needed. We will always explain it first.

Step 5: Wearing your aligners

This is the main part of treatment, and the part where you do most of the work.

Wear them for around 22 hours a day. Aligners only work when they are in. You take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. A good rule is to wear them all the time except at meals.

Switch to a new set every one to two weeks. Each tray moves your teeth a little more. Your plan will tell you exactly when to change.

Expect some pressure. A new set can feel tight for a day or two, which is a sign it is working. It settles quickly.

Expect a small lisp. Some people speak a little differently at first. It usually fades within a few days as your tongue adjusts.

Keep your routine tidy. Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in, so food is not trapped against them. Rinse your aligners and clean them daily. Use a case whenever they are out, and never wrap them in a napkin. That is how most get thrown away.

Step 6: Check-ups along the way

You do not wear aligners alone for months. We see you every few weeks to check progress, make sure your teeth are tracking as planned and give you the next set. If something is not moving as expected, we adjust the plan.

Regular dental check-ups and visits to the dental hygienist continue during treatment, too. Clean teeth and healthy gums make everything go more smoothly.