05 Mar Straighten Teeth Without Traditional Braces
Straight teeth are important for more than just a beautiful smile. When teeth are straight, the areas where plaque can build are limited. But if teeth weren’t corrected as children, many teens and young adults resist the idea of undergoing orthodontics when traditional metal bands and brackets are the only option.
Invisalign clear aligners are suitable for teens, young adults, or anyone who wishes to correct their bite with a system that offers many options not available with metal braces.
Invisalign aligners are:
- Transparent – This allows the patient to enjoy a smile makeover that is virtually undetectable throughout treatment.
- Removable – The patient can enjoy eating all the foods they love because these aligners are taken out for meals and snacking.
- Oral hygiene – Without permanent metal cemented to teeth, the patient can brush and floss daily without obstruction. The aligners are removed for daily hygiene tasks; in addition, the six month dentist visits can be completed without obstacle.
- Comfortable – Any time wire is threaded through metal braces, the patients runs the risk of wires breaking and poking into soft oral tissues. In addition, metal braces can result in abrasions to cheeks, gums, or tongue. With Invisalign aligners there are no metals or wires involved.
When the patient starts their teeth straightening journey, the dentist will take dental impressions, photographs, and dental x-rays. With metal bands, these items basically are used to compare the result from where it started.
However, with Invisalign these same tools are sent to the laboratory where they will be used with 3-D digital technology to develop a series of clear, comfortable aligners that will be updated every couple of weeks throughout treatment.
With traditional braces, the patient will visit the dentist every couple of weeks to have the wires tightened which allows the braces to keep teeth straightening moving forward.
With Invisalign, the patient will replace the aligners as designated by their dentist … teeth will gently be shifted to their correct occlusion. The aligners must be worn twenty to twenty-two hours every day to complete treatment in the desired time frame.
The final step in the teeth straightening process is wearing a retainer which provides a means for teeth to develop a “memory” of their new location. Without the retainer, teeth can shift back to their original placement.
To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign, contact Aesthetic Dental Partners at 210-616-0858 today!