15 May Invisalign: Straighten Teeth Without Traditional Braces
Having straight teeth is more important than just a winning smile. Straight teeth enhance the ability to keep teeth and gums healthy and free from decay and disease. Invisalign clear aligners offer a way to straighten teeth without utilizing the traditional metal bands, brackets, and wires.
While very popular with young professionals, preteens and teenagers appreciate Invisalign for its many advantages over metal braces:
Diet – There are no restrictions to what you can consume because the aligners are taken out for snacking and meals.
Dental hygiene – Daily brushing and flossing are completed without any obstacles; simply remove the aligners, brush and floss, and replace. Six month visits to the dentist allow a thorough cleaning to be performed; dental exams are done catching potential problems early that might not be spotted with traditional braces.
Appearance – Invisalign aligners are clear making this dental process virtually undetectable throughout treatment.
The initial process for traditional braces and Invisalign are similar. Photographs are taken; dental x-rays are needed; and impressions are made. With Invisalign these tools are sent to the Invisalign laboratory where technicians using 3-D digital technology develop a series of clear aligners that will be changed by the patient every few weeks allowing the teeth to be gently and consistently shifted to their correct position.
With metal braces, these same items are used more for a comparison to the finished version. Getting started with traditional braces means bands are cemented in place; brackets are positioned; and wires are threaded throughout. Every few weeks a visit to the dentist for wire tightening is needed to keep the straightening process on track.
With Invisalign, the patient simply disposes of the used aligner and replaces with the next in the series of aligners. Teeth are shifted with each update.
The length of treatment time is dependent on the severity of your malocclusion. If severe overcrowding due to lack of jaw space is the problem, teeth extraction may be recommended before the straightening program gets started.
The aligners must be worn twenty to twenty-two hours every day. Failure to follow this time frame can mean an unsatisfactory result or extended treatment time.
The final step of treatment requires wearing a retainer. A retainer will help teeth form a memory of their new location. Failure to wear as prescribed may allow teeth to return to their former location.
For more information or to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign, contact our office today to schedule your professional consultation.