Invisible Braces
Some people are lucky enough to have straight teeth that fit together well, but many of us have crooked teeth that don’t fit together properly. Crooked teeth can cause problems with your bite. The good news is that you can easily straighten your teeth and improve your bite with the right orthodontic treatment. Let’s explore what orthodontics is and how it can help you.
What Is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a type of dental treatment that deals with fixing crooked teeth and improper bites. It involves the use of braces to straighten teeth and improve their alignment.
Orthodontists are dental specialists who receive additional education and training beyond dental school, typically for two or more years, to become experts in this field. They are the best professionals to consult if you are considering orthodontic treatment.
Benefits
Straightening your teeth has benefits beyond just improving your appearance. Crooked teeth can be more difficult to clean, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Misaligned teeth can also affect your ability to chew properly, which can cause headaches, shoulder or back pain, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How Do Orthodontic Treatments Work?
Orthodontic treatments typically involve various types of appliances that are used to retrain muscles, gradually shift teeth, and influence the growth of the jaw by applying gentle pressure on the teeth and jaw.
Fixed vs. Removable Appliances
Orthodontic treatments may involve using fixed or removable appliances, depending on the severity of the dental problem. The orthodontist will recommend the appropriate approach for you.
Fixed appliances include:
- Braces – Braces are a commonly used fixed appliance to straighten teeth. They are made up of bands, wires, and brackets. The bands are placed around your teeth to anchor the braces in place. Brackets are attached to the front of your teeth, and arch wires connect the brackets to the bands. By gradually tightening the archwires, pressure is applied to the teeth, gradually moving them towards their desired position. Braces usually require monthly adjustments and are worn for a few months to a few years.
- Special fixed appliances –Special fixed appliances should only be considered in extreme cases to help control habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. However, since they are attached to the teeth with bands, they may cause discomfort while eating.
- Fixed space maintainers – In some cases, young children might lose their baby teeth too soon. When this happens, an orthodontist might suggest using a fixed space maintainer. This device helps to keep the space open until a permanent tooth grows in.
Removable appliances include:
- Aligners – Clear aligners are becoming a popular choice for adults as an alternative to traditional braces. They move teeth in the same way, but are virtually invisible and do not require metal wires and brackets. If you choose clear aligners, you will need to remove them when eating, brushing, and flossing.
- Removable space maintainers –These appliances are used for the same purpose as fixed space maintainers. They are composed of plastic or wire branches and an acrylic base that fits over the jaw. They are inserted into gaps between teeth to maintain the space between them.
- Jaw repositioning appliances –These appliances are called splints, and they can be placed on either the upper or lower jaw. They are used to treat TMJ disorders by training the jaw to close in a better position.
- Lip and cheek bumpers –Bumpers are devices used to keep your lips and cheeks away from your teeth when they exert pressure on them.
- Palatal expander – This device is a plastic plate that fits over the roof of the mouth and is known as a palatal expander. It is used when the arch of your upper jaw needs to be widened.
- Removable retainers –These devices are called retainers and are worn on the roof of the mouth or behind the teeth to prevent the teeth from shifting back to their previous position.
- Headgear –These devices are used to slow down the growth of the upper jaw and to hold the back teeth in place while the front teeth are pulled back.
How Do I Know if I Need Orthodontic Treatment?
Here are some problems with your teeth that may require orthodontics:
- Overbite – When the upper front teeth protrude over the lower teeth, it is called an overbite.
- Underbite – When the lower teeth extend too far forward and the upper teeth are set too far back, it is called an underbite.
- Crossbite – A crossbite is when the upper teeth fit behind the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
- Open bite – When there is a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when biting down, it is called an open bite.
- Misplaced midline – If the center of the upper and lower front teeth do not align, it is called a misplaced midline.
- Spacing – When there are gaps or spaces between teeth, it is called spacing.
Crowding –
Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough space in your mouth to accommodate all of your teeth. However, it’s only your orthodontist who can accurately determine which orthodontic treatment is suitable for you. By using tools like clinical examinations, plastic models of your teeth, and X-rays, your orthodontist will develop a personalized treatment plan that’s tailored to your teeth and specific needs.
We understand that choosing the right orthodontic treatment can be overwhelming, but now that you have a better understanding of what orthodontics is, why it’s important, and how it works, we hope you feel more confident in seeking out its benefits for yourself.
What’s the best age to visit the orthodontist?
It’s never too late to see an orthodontist if you want to improve the appearance and function of your teeth. While many people believe that braces are only for children, orthodontic treatment can be beneficial for people of all ages. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that children should have their first orthodontic evaluation at around seven years old.
Types of Braces
1. Metal brackets: Metal brackets are a sturdy option for orthodontic treatment and can handle various types of treatment. Initially, they may cause some discomfort to your gums, but after a few weeks, your cheeks will become accustomed to them. Traditional metal braces typically use elastic O-shaped rubber bands, known as ligatures, to hold the archwire onto the bracket. Alternatively, orthodontists may use metal tie wires, which are twisted around the bracket, instead of elastic ligatures.
2. Ceramic brackets: Ceramic brackets are a type of braces that are made of composite materials and are transparent, blending in with the teeth. They are very strong and do not usually stain. The tiny rubber bands, or ligatures, that hold the arch wire onto the ceramic brackets are often white or clear, blending in with most teeth. They are less noticeable at a distance or in photos. Some people find them more comfortable than metal brackets as they may irritate the gums less. Ceramic brackets are strong and do not usually break or come off teeth if bound with plasma light, just like metal brackets.
3. Lingual braces (Invisible Braces): Lingual braces, also known as invisible braces, are a type of orthodontic treatment where the brackets are placed behind your teeth instead of on the front surface. This makes them virtually invisible to others, as they are not visible from the outside. The brackets used for lingual braces are typically made of metal. This type of treatment is especially beneficial for people who prefer a more discreet option or those who are concerned about the appearance of traditional braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a teeth straightening treatment that uses clear, customized, and removable appliances called aligners instead of wires and brackets. The aligners are virtually undetectable, so hardly anyone will know you’re wearing them.
The treatment process combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with orthodontic science that’s been around for over 100 years. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan, moving your teeth in small steps toward the desired final position prescribed by your orthodontist.
To determine if Invisalign is right for you, your first step is to visit our office. We’ll take impressions and a few photos to send precise treatment instructions to Invisalign. Then, using advanced computer technology, Invisalign will analyze and translate these instructions into a sequence of finely calibrated aligners, which can range from as few as 12 to as many as 48.
Before ordering the aligners, you’ll have the option to evaluate a 3D model of the treatment progress and final result. Each aligner should be worn for about two weeks and only removed to eat, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will gradually move week by week until the final alignment prescribed is achieved.
Don’t wait, call us today to book an appointment and take advantage of our Invisalign special before it expires.
Take advantage of our Invisalign special, which includes a free consultation, a free model of your treatment plan, and the final result in advance.
Invisalign clear aligners are customized to fit your teeth using flexible SmartTrack material, which conforms to your tooth shape. They are also convenient, as you can easily remove them to eat and brush your teeth without interrupting your daily routine. Additionally, Invisalign treatment is affordable, with transparent pricing and interest-free payment plans available.
Invisalign is an advanced and nearly invisible way to correct misaligned teeth. Using clear braces, such as Invisalign, helps gently straighten teeth with minimal hassle during the impressions process.
FAQs
Invisalign® is the clinically proven, nearly invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces. Invisalign treatment uses removable, clear plastic aligners that are worn day and night to gradually move your teeth into the desired position.
Invisalign treatment can be completed in as little as 6 months, with average treatment times of around 12-18 months. Your treatment length will depend on your individual needs as determined by your dentist.
You will need to wear your aligners day and night for approximately 20-22 hours per day. Each set of aligners is worn for about 1-2 weeks and is then replaced with the next set in the series until your treatment is complete.
No, as long as you have all of your permanent teeth, you may be suitable for Invisalign. We also offer Invisalign Teen® – an alternative orthodontic option designed specifically for teenagers. Our orthodontists can use Invisalign aligners to treat children 7-11 years old.
No, as long as you have all of your permanent teeth, you may be suitable for Invisalign. We also offer Invisalign Teen® – an alternative orthodontic option designed specifically for teenagers. Our orthodontists can use Invisalign aligners to treat children 7-11 years old.
Invisalign clear aligners are made of SmartTrack®, an elastic aligner material made of a medical grade polyurethane resin that is Bisphenol-A (BPA) free. This thermoplastic material is custom-made into thin, clear aligners. They are smooth to the touch without any sharp edges to ensure you can avoid ulcers.
Invisalign aligners are easy to remove, so you can still enjoy your favorite foods, snacks and drinks without feeling uncomfortable. This also prevents the aligners from staining and damaging and ensures you are able to maintain your oral hygiene.
As with conventional treatments, you may feel temporary pressure when you’re wearing your Invisalign aligners for the first 2-3 days after each new set. Invisalign aligners can temporarily affect the speech of some people, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two until your mouth adjusts.
