As braces become more popular, straight teeth are becoming more of a norm rather than a rarity especially among the younger generation. Every year, many children and adults alike visit an orthodontist to install metal braces that slowly shift their teeth into a more esthetically pleasing position.
While braces might be your first thought when you think orthodontist, however, new technologies like Invisalign that replace the traditional metal brackets have become more common in recent years. These solutions get rid of some of the more undesirable aspects of braces (like the inability to eat certain food products) while presenting much of the same result, making them viable alternatives that every patient should explore.
Invisalign TechnologyrnInvisalign straightens teeth in a way very similar to braces but in a noticeably different way. Braces function by bending your teeth slowly over time with a piece of metal shaped to match the perfect tooth orientation. This becomes possible via the many small metal brackets that your orthodontist glues to your teeth that hold the metal in place. Invisalign, on the other hand, shifts the teeth bit by bit via an invisible, plastic tray specialized to match your jaw positioning. These need to be changed every few weeks, but provides a similar slow, gentle shifting that carefully moves your teeth into position.
The procedure usually takes a total of between six and 18 months, during which as many as 20-30 different plastic pieces are used to gently manipulate your teeth. These aligner trays have to be worn for about 22 hours a day to be effective, but as a whole can provide a more comfortable experience than braces. Not only do you not have to deal with the uncomfortable metal pieces glued to your teeth, you can eat regularly by taking out the removable Invisalign trays, thus getting rid of one of the most annoying side effects of orthodontic braces.
Invisalign ProvidersrnBecause each plastic tray has to be specially designed for the patient, getting expert care during treatment is crucial. The first sign of a good Invisalign provider lies in whether they recommend the procedure in the first place. Although Invisalign provides much of the same treatment as braces would, there are a few scenarios in which Invisalign isn’t able to solve your tooth problems, such as:rnIf you need to rotate any teethrnIf you need to vertically shit any teethrnIf you have had bridgework done in the pastrnIf you have bite issuesrnMaking sure your orthodontist (or general dentist) walks you through these concerns can help you verify that your Invisalign provider truly knows the proper procedures to conduct.
Your dentist or orthodontist also needs to be able to create perfectly fitting alignment trays for you, using a variety of tools like X-rays, pictures, and tooth impressions to digitally model and physically mold your Invisalign trays. Everyone’s mouth is different, so this step makes sure that your plastic trays are optimized to work for your mouth alone. A tray that doesn’t fit or adjusts your mouth too much or too little can be ineffective or even harmful for your mouth’s development.
Furthermore, your provider should also be conscientious about potential problems during your monthly visits. Although each plastic tray needs to be changed every two weeks, making sure your orthodontist stays updated on the status of your teeth can be crucial to making sure your progression is normal and each change is carefully planned and executed.
If you need your teeth adjusted and you feel that Invisalign is the best procedure for you, make sure to
visit the best Invisalign provider in Adelaide to get an estimation for how the process would work for you.