Straightening your teeth is very important because it can help you improve the appearance of your smile and reduce the chance of developing tooth decay or gum disease in the future. Tooth decay and gum disease are the two major causes of tooth loss; therefore, by reducing your chance of developing these issues, you can improve the longevity of your teeth and enjoy healthy teeth and gums for life.
Find out the best method of straightening your teeth by speaking to your dentist; they will assess the health of your teeth and gums and identify the misalignment issues affecting your teeth or jaw to help you decide on the right type of dental brace.
Teeth straightening can be carried out at any age, and over the last few decades, more adults than ever before have undergone teeth straightening. One of the main reasons for this is the introduction of various braces that work as excellent alternatives to traditional braces.
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets and wires that must be fixed to the front surface of the teeth, making them highly visible. Many people avoided orthodontic treatment when they were younger because traditional braces were the only available option, but they are now thinking about straightening their teeth, thanks to the introduction of many other discreet alternatives.
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Invisalign
One such discreet alternative that has become highly popular worldwide is Invisalign London. Invisalign is a modern method of straightening teeth that is very different to traditional orthodontic treatment. Invisalign uses clear thermoplastic aligners to straighten teeth rather than metal brackets and wires.
To begin with, this means that clear aligners are a lot more discreet and almost invisible when worn; this is excellent for patients worried about drawing unwanted attention to their mouths as most people would not even notice the orthodontic device. Secondly, plastic aligners are much more comfortable than metal brackets and wires. And finally, aligners are removable and can be taken out of your mouth as necessary and replaced when you have finished doing what you are doing, which includes eating or brushing your teeth.
With metal wires and brackets, traditional braces can exert a lot more pressure on your teeth and may be more effective at addressing complex orthodontic issues. Although plastic may not be able to apply as much pressure, Invisalign is excellent at addressing mild and moderate orthodontic issues and other aesthetic alignment problems. As they are fixed in place, traditional braces work by applying constant pressure to the teeth, whereas Invisalign aligners only work when they are in the mouth, so you have to remember to keep them in for as long as possible and only take them out if it is completely necessary. Both have their advantages and disadvantages; however, if you are not keen on traditional orthodontic treatment or your orthodontic issues are not as severe, Invisalign would be the better solution.
How does Invisalign work?
Book an appointment with an experienced Invisalign provider to learn more about Invisalign. They will begin by carrying out an intraoral scan of the inside of your mouth that will take thousands of pictures and translate them into a digital image. This image will be used to design a sequence of Invisalign aligners that will help correct your misalignments to create a neatly aligned smile.
Each aligner can shift the position of your teeth by an estimated 0.25 mm. Therefore, the number of aligners you need will depend on how much your teeth have to move until they are straight. Some patients require 4 to 6 months to achieve a neatly aligned smile, whereas those with more complex orthodontic issues require 12 to 18 months to straighten their teeth. The aligners are manufactured in the laboratory and can be delivered to the dental practice within approximately three weeks of placing the order.
After the initial fitting, you continue with the treatment in the comfort of your own home. The aligners need to be swapped over after every two weeks, and you can either visit your dentist in person or share your progress through the online monitoring app to make sure that the treatment is coming along successfully. Speak to your dentist today about straightening your teeth with Invisalign.