Invisalign is one of the most significant breakthroughs the world of orthodontic dentistry has ever seen. Before Invisalign, the only means of moving teeth into a healthier and more aesthetic position was with a fixed metal brace. Invisalign has given patients an alternative option that’s both removable and discreet, making it an immediate hit with adult patients when it hit the market back in 2000. Before Invisalign was developed, orthodontic treatment was in the main, associated with younger demographics, such as children, teens and young adults. Today, more adults than ever are choosing to have their teeth straightened, in the interests of their health and self-esteem. With so many dental practices now offering Invisalign treatment across Ireland, finding the right one to suit you might feel like a mammoth task. Read our advice on how to choose the right Invisalign provider for you below.

Practice ethos

  When you’re browsing different dental practice websites to get a feel for their approach to dentistry and orthodontics, make sure you head to the About page. This page serves as an introduction to the practice, its values and history. At Shields Dental and Implant Clinic, we understand that your treatment should be as unique as you are. Read more about our approach to treating gaps, crowding and misalignment with your teeth here.  

Committed to working with nervous patients?

  When you’re looking over a dental practice’s website, look closely at the language they use to describe how they care for anxious patients. This can be incredibly indicative of their whole approach to patient care. Here at Shields, each member of our team has undergone training to equip them to care for nervous patients. We also only ever take on experienced and talented clinicians who are genuinely interested in helping nervous and vulnerable patients. Kind, caring and dedicated dentists, hygienists and dental nurses make up our team. We also offer sedation for patients who find they need a bit of a helping hand to undergo a particular procedure. If you would like to come in and have a look around any of our practices, you are most welcome. Contact us if you would like to speak to a member of our team for a free non-clinical appointment (these are especially beneficial for nervous patients).  

Check who works at the practice

  A dental practice is only ever as good as the individuals who work there, no matter how high-tech the facilities are.

We’re very fortunate to have Dr Robert Hardy working with us here at Shields. Rob has a special interest in orthodontics, specifically Invisalign treatment.

Before coming back to Ireland and joining the Shields team, Rob worked in the U.K, gaining a wide range of experience in general dentistry. Rob’s advanced education in dentistry also includes earning a Membership Diploma and Membership in Primary Dental Care. He holds an MSc in Restorative Dentistry from the University of Edinburgh. As an Invisalign provider, Rob is in the top 3 in the country and in the top 1% in the world. He also holds a Platinum award from Invisalign, recognising him as a truly gifted Invisalign dentist. Get to know Dr Hardy by taking a look at an interview with him right here.  

Check the reviews

  Just as you might read a few reviews before making a financial commitment when you purchase goods online, you may wish to read several reviews of a dental practice before making a final decision about where to go for treatment. We recommend taking a look at a practice’s Google and Facebook reviews, as these cannot be moderated by dental practices to omit any negative comments. Should you come across any negative comments, you should note whether or not the practice has responded to these and the manner in which they have done so. Steer clear of any dental practices who use passive or defensive language when replying to a review!  

Consider how your schedule compares with their opening times

  It’s true that one of the many benefits of Invisalign treatment is that you don’t have to attend check-ups as regularly as if you were to opt for a fixed brace. This is because Invisalign aligners are sequential, so each time you change them over, the next aligner in the sequence will pick up after the last one left off and move your teeth a step closer to their final position. It’s still important to check how convenient it will be for you to attend appointments at a given dental practice. For example, if you work 9am – 5pm and these are the only hours a practice is open, are you going to be able to make it to your Invisalign check-up appointments. Check the opening hours to see if a practice offers weekend appointments and emergency appointments, should you lose or damage an Invisalign aligner. Knowing that you are able to easily make an appointment at a time that suits you will give you peace of mind when you begin your Invisalign journey.  

Contact Shields for first-class Invisalign treatment

  Not only is Invisalign one of the treatments we do best here at Shields, we can offer ‘Buy now, pay later’ deals with 0% finance, should you need to spread the cost of your treatment. Our helpful reception team are ready to take your call to book you in for a free Invisalign consultation. Simply give them a call, or fill out a contact form right here.