The majority of teenagers often have a difficult time agreeing on anything. Unfortunately, the same can sometimes be said of adults. One commonality between the two is being uncomfortable with their smiles and lacking confidence in their appearance. This can lead to both psychological and social damage. A lot of people never try to find treatment for crowded teeth, unsightly gaps or a crooked smile. One of the main reasons is they are afraid of getting traditional braces. This fear is not difficult to understand. Although the final result of traditional braces is a lovely smile, there are numerous issues involving wearing metal braces obvious to the eye. There are problems relating to limitations on what can be eaten, irritations and sores and regular dental appointments for proper maintenance. The alternative is Invisalign®.
This new type of teeth straightener is offered by a wide variety of dental specialists. The basic concept is simple. This is a modern means of straightening the teeth without the necessity of uncomfortable wires. The aligners are almost completely invisible, custom molded and made from a durable, smooth and clear plastic. It is nearly impossible to tell when someone is wearing them. They do not even show up in photographs. The aligners can be removed when eating, brushing the teeth or flossing. This means they fit into the lifestyle of the individual much better than traditional braces. The aligners are removed twice each month for a new set. This gradually moves the teeth into the proper positions. The result is straight teeth and a beautiful smile. The process begins by determining if Invisalign® is the right solution for your needs.
It is important to note these aligners may not be appropriate when severe spacing or straightening issues are present. In the majority of cases, the aligners just as effective as wearing traditional braces. The process begins by consulting with a dental professional to make certain you are a good candidate. Once this has been determined, the aligners are customized for your exact requirements. The software for the aligners uses 3D imaging technology. This gives you the opportunity to see the way your smile will appear once you have completed your treatment. The aligners will make the adjustments necessary for the proper placement of your teeth. This is an important tool because you know exactly what to expect prior to agreeing to the treatment or making any commitment.
Once you have made the decision to proceed, fixtures are attached by the medical professional to your teeth. These are what the aligners clip onto. A mold is then made of your teeth so your aligners can be professionally made and customized for every step of your treatment.
A Closer Look at Invisalign®
One of the best parts of this treatment is the people around you have no idea your are having your teeth straightened. The aligners are worn while you are sleeping and for 22 hours each day. In many cases, it only requires twenty weeks to complete the treatment. You will be removing your aligners when you brush or floss your teeth and when you eat. The easiest way to remove your aligners is to begin at the back. Lift them from the molars at the back of your mouth on both sides. Then work your way towards the front of your mouth. You can also remove them by starting on one side and working your way towards the other side. Since your aligners are removable, you can continue enjoying almost everything you like to eat or drink. The only exceptions are drinking an excess amount of coffee or smoking.
This can cause your aligners to yellow slightly as time passes. The best way to prevent this is by limiting your consumption of cigarettes and coffee whenever you can and practicing good dental care. You will not have to visit the dentist as often as you would with traditional braces. You should schedule an appointment about every six weeks to allow your dentist to make any necessary modifications and review the progress you have made. Once you have completed your treatment, your fasteners will be removed. Your family and friends will notice you have become more confident and your teeth look much nicer. Continue to brush and floss your teeth every day to keep your smile straight and white and to help prevent cavities. There are numerous advantages in choosing this system to straighten your teeth as opposed to traditional braces.
One of the best advantages is the aligners are virtually invisible. This means you can smile right in front of your friends, family, partner and employer without worrying about flashing a mouth filled with metal. The aligners are a lot more comfortable to wear than traditional braces. You should not experience any abrasions or sores or have any difficulty or pain when eating. Being able to remove your aligners when caring for your teeth and eating is a substantial plus when compared to traditional braces. Even if you began your treatment with traditional braces, chances are good you can still switch to Invisalign®. Your best option is to talk to a dental professional about making the switch and the best possible plan to continue your treatment. If you choose to switch, you will immediately notice several important differences.
The suffering from soreness in your facial muscles should be completely eliminated. The aligners often fix pain in your neck, jaw and face as well. You will benefit if your grind your teeth, your bite will improve and wearing aligners is a lot more comfortable than traditional braces. The length of the treatment depends on the specific issues you are having corrected. The majority of adults need to wear the aligners for about twelve months. Once you begin using your aligners, you should start to see a difference in approximately two to three months. It is important to understand these aligners are an option even if you are an adult with fully grown teeth. This is an exceptional option for straightening your teeth without the issues so often caused by traditional metal braces.
The average teenager encounters a wide variety of problems while wearing braces when walking down the halls of their high school due to the often inappropriate comments of the other students. Traditional metal braces are both distracting and uncomfortable. This can lead to a psychological barrier that prevents the student from succeeding. Adults want to be viewed by their employer as professional and confident. They do not want their friends to be distracted by an imperfect smile. These aligners provide the opportunity to live a full life, free of the embarrassment and hassles often triggered by traditional braces. This is often the ideal solution for correcting misaligned or crooked teeth without the need for traditional metal braces. If you are looking for a beautiful smile and a higher level of confidence, this may be the perfect solution.
The Benefits of Invisalign®
When these aligners were initially introduced, the belief was that they were unable to correct dental issues nearly as effectively as traditional metal braces. This is simply not true. Unless the dental issues are extremely complicated and severe, traditional braces may not represent the best solution. The aligners are able to treat both mild and medium dental issues. This includes overcrowded teeth, spacing issues, underbites and overbites. This option slowly helps the teeth into a position that is both more aesthetically pleasing and natural. Technology is consistently improving. This means as good as the aligners are now, they will continue to improve. A good example is an individual who had a dental issue last year that required metal braces. This same issue may be able to be treated effectively with Invisalign® this year.
Food is inevitably trapped in the teeth requiring a lot of time for removal. If the individual does not practice good dental care, the result may be cavities or extremely serious issues once the braces have been removed. The ability to take out the Invisalign® aligners while eating and performing daily dental care is invaluable. It is incredibly easy to keep your teeth clean. All you need to do is continue the same routines for flossing and brushing your teeth you have always used. There is no need to purchase expensive equipment to enable you to clean underneath the wires or around the brackets. This substantially decreases the restrictions on what you are allowed to eat. Every individual with traditional braces is given an extensive list of foods they are no longer able to enjoy.
Most people are not surprised they must give up food high in sugar because they know it can damage their teeth. The surprise is the long list of vegetables, fruits and crunchy foods they can no longer eat. The same restrictions do not apply to the individuals wearing the aligners. You simply remove your aligners when it is time for a meal or you want to have a snack. The aligners were originally created for adults who did not want to wear metal braces to straighten their teeth. Many adults still believe traditional braces are intended for teenagers only.
Invisalign® has become an excellent way to straighten teeth without making everyone aware of the process. Traditional braces are manufactured with as much comfort as possible. This being said, they are far surpassed by the comfort provided with the smooth aligners. The smoothness makes them so comfortable it is possible to forget you are even wearing them. They do not cause irritation in the mouth so commonly associated with metal braces. This is the ideal option for anyone afraid of the pain so prominent in metal braces of the past. The option is much easier because your mouth does not have to get used to metal brackets, there are no wires to slip out of place and your teeth are moved gradually to help eliminate any discomfort. If you simply do not have enough time to deal with metal braces, Invisalign® may be your solution.
You will also discover the benefit of making fewer trips to the dental professional as opposed to the other available methods of treatment. Traditional braces often require visits every three to four weeks to replace a bracket, move a wire or handle an emergency. Emergencies are a lot less frequent with aligners. If you have a busy schedule, you will appreciate only having to make an appointment about every six weeks. The extensive list of benefits and advantages makes this the right system for both adults and teenagers. The aligners are much easier to manage, they do not irritate the mouth like traditional metal braces and less trips to the dental professional are necessary. This ensures a much better fit for the lifestyles of the majority of patients. It is certainly more convenient and easier to achieve straight teeth.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to find out if you are a good candidate for Invisalign®, the professionals at Runnels Orthodontics are here to answer any questions you may have. We are conveniently located in Destin and Inlet Beach, FL and we also serve residents in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Freeport, Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Panama City Beach, and Panama City. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!