Are You Self-Conscious About Your Smile But Hesitant To Spend Years Wearing Braces?
Thankfully, you can straighten your teeth without the hassle of metal brackets and wires using Invisalign. The treatment is a comfortable, convenient, under-the-radar alternative to braces. It involves a series of removable, clear aligner trays that incrementally shift your teeth into place. No one will even notice you’re wearing them, so you can achieve a gorgeous grin and look great doing it. Our dentist at Long Beach Smile Co. is an Invisalign Preferred Provider, which means we have significant experience in treating a wide variety of cases with the teeth-straightening system. When you work with our dentists in Long Beach, you’ll receive personalized, expert care for stunning results
- Straighter teeth are easier to clean so you can more effectively banish the bacteria and plaque that lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
- Invisalign can help us address periodontal disease. When teeth are in proper alignment, gum pocket depth is decreased and the gums fit more snugly around the teeth.
- Being able to remove Invisalign to brush and floss is another huge plus as you can still care for your teeth and gums and you won’t run the risk of the inflammation that often occurs with braces.
- Your ability to chew and speak properly will be improved.
- Fixing spacing and crowding prevents bone deterioration, which can lead to tooth loss and other problems.
- Repositioning the jaw can be helpful in alleviating TMJ pain and its associated symptoms, such as headaches.
- Invisalign can move your teeth into a better position for veneers and other cosmetic procedures.
- All of your healthy tooth structure can be preserved and unlike some cosmetic choices, no enamel needs to be removed.
One of the primary concerns people often have about dental braces is the aesthetic impact of the metalwork on their smile. Especially for adults, the prospect of wearing unattractive metal braces for long periods of time can be very discouraging. Invisalign® offers an almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth fast and contains no metal.
Invisalign® treatment consists of a series of custom-made aligning trays. The dentist changes the trays every several weeks to fit the new tooth configuration. In addition to the reduced visual impact, Invisalign® aligning trays can be temporarily removed for important occasions – meaning that treatment duration is patient-controlled. A great number of people report complete satisfaction with both the Invisalign® treatment and the stunning results.
Invisalign® can be an excellent option for responsible teens as well. Patients who play contact sports like football or wrestling may want to invest in clear aligners to avoid any orthodontic emergencies. Mouthguards fit much better over clear aligners than traditional braces. The trays can also be taken off if needed.
It is important to note that Invisalign® needs to be worn for the prescribed amount of time, 20 – 22 hours, every day. Treatment is less effective when the appliance is not used correctly. Our dentist in Long Beach wants patients to get the best results with no delays, so we highly encourage patients with Invisalign to wear their trays as much as possible.
What kind of bite problems can Invisalign® correct?
Invisalign® corrects the same dental problems as traditional metal braces; the only difference is that Invisalign® trays are almost invisible to the naked eye, and can be removed at will.
Here are some problems that are commonly corrected with Invisalign®:
- Overcrowding – This occurs when there is too little space for the teeth to align normally in the mouth. Overcrowding can cause tooth decay and increase the likelihood of gum disease.
- Large gaps between teeth – This can sometimes occur because teeth are missing or because the jaw continues to grow abnormally.
- Crossbite – This common dental problem occurs when one or multiple upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. As a consequence, uneven wear can lead to bone erosion and gum disease.
- Overbite – This problem occurs when the upper teeth project further than, or completely cover, the lower teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ may occur.
- Underbite – This is the inverse of the overbite; the lower teeth project further than, or completely cover, the upper teeth. Eventually, jaw pain and TMJ can occur.
What advantages does Invisalign® offer over traditional braces and veneers?
Traditional dental braces, Invisalign® aligning trays, and dental veneers are three different ways to perfect the alignment of the teeth. There are many different considerations to make when deciding which treatment will be best, and each of these options works better in certain situations.
Invisalign® differs from traditional braces in that the aligning trays are fully removable. This means that more discipline and commitment is required from the patient. This is not usually a problem since the trays are comfortable and nearly invisible. Almost identical results can be obtained by using either treatment.
Invisalign® is preferable to veneers in many cases because unlike veneers, Invisalign® actually straightens the teeth. Veneers are thin covers that the dentist permanently affixes to the teeth. Teeth must be etched beforehand, meaning that to remove dental veneers, an alternative covering must be constructed. In addition to being somewhat expensive, veneers can break and often last for less than 20 years.
What does Invisalign® treatment involve?
First, the dentist needs to devise an initial treatment plan before creating the special aligning trays. Three-dimensional digital images are taken of the entire jaw. These images allow the dentist to move specific teeth on the screen, view the jaw from different angles, and also foresee what the face might look like in years to come. In essence, this technology can show how Invisalign® trays will change the facial aesthetics.
Once planning is complete, a unique set of aligners is made. The total amount of aligners required varies with each individual case, but 20-29 sets per arch is typical.
After you complete your Invisalign® treatment, you will be given a pair of retainers to ensure your teeth stay aligned for years to come. At first, the retainers need to be worn 24/7, but eventually, you can transition to wearing them at night only. Our Long Beach dentist can help you choose the best retainers for your lifestyle.
What are some considerations when wearing Invisalign® trays?
Life with Invisalign® aligning trays may take several weeks to get used to. The trays should be worn constantly, except when eating and drinking. It is important to remove the trays when consuming food or drink because food can become trapped between the tray and the teeth, causing tooth decay.
Usually, new trays are necessary every two weeks, and progress between appointments can be seen with the naked eye. There is no doubt that Invisalign® aligning trays have revolutionized orthodontics. Invisalign® is renowned for being both comfortable and effective.
Our team at Long Beach Smile Co. is here to help you through your Invisalign® journey! We will closely monitor your progress and adjust the treatment to ensure you get the beautiful smile you deserve. If you have questions about Invisalign®, please contact our dentist in Long Beach
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