Although they perform an essential role in orthodontic treatment, traditional braces have often been the subject of mockery and shame. Braces are important for realigning the teeth and fixing severe malocclusions, including overbites and underbites. While at least half of the population of the United States requires orthodontic treatment, many adults were unable to afford or receive the necessary procedures as children.
Because of the reputation of braces, a lot of older patients are reluctant to wear traditional orthodontic models. There are a variety of reasons, including potential discomfort, embarrassment, or a lack of self-confidence when needing to smile. For these patients, there is a solution: the clear aligners called Invisalign®.
Invisalign is a form of invisible braces that utilizes clear teeth aligners instead of traditional metal and wire orthodontic models. These aligners are customized to suit a patient’s current bite and jaw alignment, and are worn during the day and night over the teeth. These aligners apply gentle pressure to slowly move teeth so they even and become straighter.
Over a period of six to eighteen months, patients switch between seven or eight clear aligners. There are numerous benefits to wearing Invisalign, including the ability to remove the aligners to clean, brush, and floss the teeth. The aligners are almost invisible and thus are difficult to detect, so older patients who might be embarrassed to be seen in traditional braces can show their smile with confidence.
There are several prerequisites that patients need to meet to receive effective treatment from Invisalign. Because these clear aligners need to fit over the teeth, they are not meant for patients who have mild to severe jaw malocclusions, overbites, and underbites. Unfortunately, the aligners would be difficult to craft and would not fit over the teeth, meaning patients would not receive the benefits they desire.
Besides needing the right tooth alignment, patients all must be at least sixteen years of age and not suffering from serious oral conditions. For example, someone who is battling advanced periodontitis would not be able to be given Invisalign until their gums are healed.
One of the benefits of using Invisalign is that it gives the dentist control over the amount of gentle pressure applied to the teeth without any uncomfortable appointments filled with unpleasant wire tightening. However, before you can begin the procedure, you need to make an appointment with a dental office that offers these clear aligners.
The first step during the dental appointment is receiving a visual and tactile exam of the teeth and gums. This is done for two reasons. First, it determines overall health and wellness. Second, the dentist is able to see whether your teeth would be a good fit for the aligners. After the initial exam, the consultation phase begins. The dentist will explain what the procedure will be like, how to wear the aligners, and what the potential cost will be.
If the patient agrees to the treatment and wants to wear Invisalign, then the dentist will take x-rays and photographs of the mouth. These are combined with a mold of the teeth. All of the information is then sent to the Invisalign dental lab, which will create the first set of aligners. These are then given to the patient, and can be worn straight away.
To receive the maximum benefit of Invisalign, patients need to be committed to wearing the aligners during the day and at night. While they can be removed to brush and floss the teeth, they need to be kept on for the majority of time to have the greatest effect on the teeth.
Over time, the patient will need to attend regular appointments to get fitted for new aligners. Once the treatment is over, patients will need to wear a retainer at night to keep the teeth in their new position.
Individuals seeking an Invisalign dentist should do some research into which offices currently offer orthodontic treatment. For those looking for Invisalign braces in Brampton or Brampton orthodontics, one available option is Bramwest Family Dental.