Teeth misalignment is one of the leading dental problems that many people struggle with. It affects facial appearance, smile, and confidence. It also impacts your bite, which causes other dental and oral issues like jaw, speech, sleep disorders, malnutrition, and difficulty eating. Traditionally, dentists correct misalignment with metal braces. Although these have effectively corrected misalignments and related dental problems for years, their visibility is problematic for many people. You cannot discreetly align your teeth with metal braces.
But you can do it with Invisalign treatment. People‘s preference for clear aligners in Hawthorne, like Invisalign treatment, is growing daily. Clear aligners can treat dental problems, including teeth overcrowding, occlusions, and gaps. They are also long-lasting, affordable, and comfortable. However, you must find the right orthodontist for Invisalign treatment and proper after-treatment care tips.
Our orthodontists at The Hawthorne Dentist have the proper training and experience to help you make an informed decision based on the condition of your teeth. You can talk to us to learn more about Invisalign, if this treatment suits you, and what the installation process involves.
A General Overview of Invisalign Treatment
Teeth misalignment is a common problem across ages. It affects the young and the old alike. Its causes are diverse and could include childhood habits like pacifier use and thumb sucking or genetics. Some people’s teeth are misaligned after tooth loss, especially if replacing the lost tooth takes a long time. Other people suffer malocclusion after a dental restoration. Fortunately, this is a problem that dentists can fix. If teeth misalignment lingers for a long time, it could affect your smile, confidence, and self-esteem and cause other dental and oral problems. For example, malocclusion can affect your bite and how you eat, speak, or clean your teeth.
Teeth aligners are an excellent solution for people seeking to correct their misaligned teeth and prevent or stop other dental and oral problems. While this can and has always been done very well with metal braces, the aligner technology is changing how dentists treat malocclusions and related issues. The aligner technology has clear teeth aligners that allow people to discreetly correct misaligned teeth without feeling weird about it. It includes customized invisible teeth aligners and sophisticated molding software that works better and faster than traditional metal braces.
This latest technology allows teenagers and adults to straighten their teeth without metal braces. Adults have been reported to shy away from metal braces suitable for children and teenagers. The coming of this technology has allowed more adults to embrace teeth alignment since they can enjoy discretion while at it. Teenagers are also choosing clear aligners more than metal braces.
Invisalign treatment has more to offer than its invisibility. The procedure uses virtually undetectable and removable aligners that straighten misaligned or crooked teeth and jaws over a specified period. It does not use wires like metal braces, which must be adjusted periodically throughout treatment. Although metal braces are very effective in straightening teeth, they are unattractive, discouraging many people from wearing them. Invisalign braces offer the same benefits but without the unattractive metals.
Additionally, Invisalign clear aligners are detachable and hence removable. You can remove your aligners when eating and brushing your teeth and then wear them back to continue treatment. What matters is that you wear them for the recommended time daily to achieve the desired results after treatment. You must also visit your dentist biweekly to replace the aligners and ensure they fit well as your teeth align. You will keep receiving tighter aligners with each visit to the dentist to ensure your teeth and jaw are effectively pushed into their desired location. This is how you enhance your beauty and teeth functionality with Invisalign.
The Advantages of Invisalign Aligners
If you do not like your teeth’s appearance, you should visit a dentist’s office for an examination and a recommendation of the best treatment. Your dentist will recommend treatment based on the underlying problem and its causes. For example, if you have difficulties with eating or speech and the leading cause is malocclusion or overcrowded teeth, your dentist can recommend braces. Your dentist can also recommend braces if you are concerned about your smile or confidence. Your dentist will explain the options for braces to help you make a more informed decision. Here are some of the reasons you can choose Invisalign aligners over metal braces:
Invisalign aligners are Invisible or Undetectable
Most people who battle dental problems have self-esteem issues to deal with. Some dental issues affect how you feel about yourself, mainly if they affect your smile. This can impact your confidence and ability to socialize. A visible attempt to align your misaligned or overcrowded teeth, as offered by metal braces, does not help much. If anything, it makes you more self-conscious.
Invisalign treatment is a preferred option because it is undetectable and invisible. An invisible treatment can slowly restore your confidence if you struggle to smile and socialize due to dental problems. You become more confident as your teeth or gums align or return to their desired position.
You Can Care for Your Teeth and Gums Better with Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign aligners are not permanently installed on your teeth. You do not have to wear them every minute of every day for the recommended treatment period. They are detachable braces you can remove when eating and cleaning your teeth. This makes caring for your teeth and gums easy as you continue treatment.
When brushing and flossing, permanent braces make reaching all parts of your teeth and gums difficult. This subjects your mouth to the harmful bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Some foods become stuck between your teeth and metal braces, encouraging the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This is not a concern with Invisalign aligners because you can comfortably remove and wear them back after eating and brushing. Thus, you are not worried about trapped food debris in the mouth.
Invisalign Aligners are More Comfortable
By design, clear aligners are more comfortable than metal braces. They are made from a smooth and comfortable material that feels more comfortable on your teeth than metal braces. They are also specially designed to fit your mouth. Your dentist will ensure the aligners fit you perfectly before allowing you to start treatment. Once they become snuggly as your teeth move into their rightful position, your dentist will change them to better-fitting ones.
Additionally, clear aligners do not have sharp edges like metal braces. Sharp edges make it difficult for people to talk or eat after treatment. The composite material dentists use to make clear aligners for Invisalign treatment is flexible and not irritating. Thus, you will not experience mouth sores and other issues that people experience with metal braces.
You Can Freely Eat and Drink After Invisalign Treatment
If you are worried that you will not be able to enjoy your favorite foods and drinks after having clear aligners, it should not be a problem. Remember that Invisalign aligners are detachable. This means you can remove them when eating and cleaning your teeth, then wear them back to continue the alignment process. Thus, you do not have to worry about the foods you eat. Although dentists recommend sticking to a healthy diet for healthy teeth and gums, you do not have to be so strict about what you consume when wearing clear aligners.
Some staining foods like coffee, tea, berries, and wines are some of the foods you could worry about because they could stain your aligners. However, if you remove the braces before consuming these foods and only put them back after cleaning your teeth, you will not have anything to worry about.
You Can Manage Jaw Pain With Invisalign Braces
If you are battling jaw pain due to a bad bite caused by crowded or crooked teeth, installing clear aligners can lower that pain. Excruciating jaw pain will cause difficulties when eating, speaking, or smiling. If left untreated, it could also cause endless headaches. A bad bite caused by malocclusion can cause problems in your jaw and muscles, resulting in severe pain.
Installing braces is one way to manage and deal with jaw pain for good. You will notice some differences immediately after the installation of braces. The pain will improve as the aligners rectify the problems causing your bad bite. Eventually, your teeth will be in their rightful position on the gums, and you will no longer worry about jaw pain.
It Restores Your Self-Esteem
Your teeth’s appearance can significantly affect your self-esteem. You tend to judge yourself according to your physical appearance. If your teeth are misaligned or crowded, affecting your smile, you will likely suffer from low self-esteem. This can affect how you socialize and your confidence. Installing clear aligners can boost your self-esteem since it signifies one step into fixing a problem that affects your confidence. How you view yourself improves every time there is an improvement in how your teeth appear. Clear aligners allow you to significantly improve your teeth’s appearance discreetly.
Who Qualifies for Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign treatment suits all teenagers and adults struggling with their teeth’s appearance. However, you must know how to follow instructions for your dentist to recommend clear aligners. You must follow a particular schedule to ensure the treatment will yield the expected results. Additionally, your dentist must be sure that clear aligners will fix the problem with your teeth to recommend Invisalign. They do this after examining your teeth and reviewing your treatment history. Dentists recommend Invisalign treatment for particular dental issues, including the following:
For Overcrowded Teeth
Your teeth are overcrowded if they do not fit well in your mouth. This could happen if you have a smaller jawbone that does not fit all your teeth. Crowded teeth do not have any spaces between them. Some overlap others, affecting your general appearance, speech, and eating habits. People with overcrowded teeth appear as if they have more teeth in their mouths than normal. The problem affects your bite and exerts more pressure on your jawbone, causing endless jaw pain.
Invisalign aligners can correct overcrowding over time. The treatment period your dentist recommends depends on the severity of the matter. Once you wear clear aligners, they push the gums and teeth into the proper position on the jawbone. This will solve all the problems you have experienced with overcrowded teeth, including low self-esteem.
For A Bad Bite
Properly aligned teeth will have a perfect bite when your upper teeth meet the lower teeth. You should not have difficulties biting down. If you have this difficulty or your dentist diagnoses you with a bad bite, they can recommend clear aligners to correct the bite issue. People experience different types of bite problems. For example, you could have an open bite when your teeth do not touch when you close your mouth. Some people have crossbites, and others have an overbite or underbite.
A bad bite is one of the leading causes of TMJ disorders. It can also affect how you speak, chew, and smile. Fortunately, you can correct your bite with clear aligners. Braces push the teeth and gums to their proper positions in the mouth, resulting in a perfect bite.
If Your Teeth are Overly Spaced
Overly spaced-out teeth seem unproblematic, but they can be the leading cause of your oral and dental problems. For example, spaced-out teeth take much of the space on the jaw for other developing teeth, making it difficult for all your teeth to grow as they should. The spaced-out teeth also cause bite problems because the teeth on the upper and lower jaws will not fit perfectly when you bite down. Gaps between your teeth create perfect grounds for the growth of harmful bacteria because this is where most of the foods and drinks you consume become trapped. This increases your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Clear aligners used in Invisalign treatment help to align your teeth as they should appear in your mouth. They remove excessive gaps between your teeth, allowing overcrowded teeth enough space to grow straight. They also rid your teeth of the excessive spaces that encourage the growth of dangerous bacteria in the mouth.
Types of Invisalign Braces
Remember that you need a proper diagnosis by a competent orthodontist to receive clear aligners. The dentist will also consider your unique needs and other dental and oral issues to ensure that Invisalign braces will improve your situation. The dentist’s diagnosis will also determine the type of braces the dentist will recommend. Your main options include the following:
Teen Invisalign Aligners
Dentists have specially designed clear aligners for teenagers whose jaws have yet to develop fully. These aligners allow for continuous jaw development as they fix the teeth’s underlying issues. Knowledgeable orthodontists customize your aligners to fit a teen’s needs to ensure their jawbone, gums, and teeth align. They also use unique braces to allow a teen’s dental formula to continue developing even during treatment.
Remember that teenagers are still minors. They need guidance to ensure they care for the aligners during treatment. Some teenagers damage their aligners a few days or weeks after installation. However, skilled orthodontists recommend replacing lost or damaged aligners immediately to ensure continued treatment. Braces meant for teenagers come with an additional six for this purpose.
Additionally, teen braces are designed with eruption flaps to allow room for eruptions. They also have compliance indicators or gauges to ensure that the teen wears them for the recommended time daily. Parents and guardians can use this feature to follow up on their child’s treatment. You will know if your child is wearing their braces as directed by the orthodontist and take the necessary measures to ensure a successful treatment.
Full or Complete Aligners
These are recommended for people who wish to reposition all their natural teeth. You must wear the braces for at least 18 months to enjoy good results. The dentist can extend that period based on your pacific needs and the severity of your dental problem. The dentist will also give instructions and guidelines to ensure you enjoy the expected results. For example, they will tell you how long you must wear the braces daily.
Invisalign Express
If you have minor or moderate orthodontic problems, your dentist can recommend Invisalign Express. Your dentist will design your braces depending on the underlying issues. You can wear different aligners for three to ten months for the best result.
Preparing Yourself or Invisalign Treatment
The entire treatment process starts with identifying your exact dental problem. Remember that some people have crowded teeth, while others have misaligned or spaced-out teeth. When you visit your dentist’s office, they will explain your problem and discuss different treatment options. You can discuss your needs and other factors with your dentist to settle for the best treatment.
If you settle for Invisalign treatment, your dentist will discuss what it entails and the options available for your needs. You can pick the type of Invisalign braces you prefer at this stage. The dentist will discuss the installation procedure and what to expect during and after treatment. They will also discuss any concerns you could have about the treatment to ensure you are physically and mentally ready for the procedure.
When you are ready, your dentist will make impressions of your teeth and gums to obtain the exact size of your braces. They will also capture your unique mouth structure to ensure the braces fit perfectly. The dentist will then use the impression to create a 3D model of how your jawbone and teeth must gradually move during the treatment period until they fit in their rightful position. This model will be the foundation the dentist will use to create a sequence of braces for your teeth realignment.
The information obtained during this process will be sent to an Align Technology lab, where experts will generate a computer design to create braces. The computer design is then used to design your aligners. Remember that your dentist will develop different aligners for installation every time you visit their office for follow-up and review. The second and subsequent set of aligners will continue the treatment process until your teeth and jawbone align.
After installation, your dentist will send you home with instructions and after-care tips to ensure you take good care of the braces until your next appointment. For example, they will instruct you on when to remove them and how to wear them back to continue treatment. Take note of how long you must wear the braces every day, as this will determine the success of your treatment.
Invisalign treatment is more expensive than the installation of metal braces. Thus, you must take good care of your aligners and carefully follow your dentist’s instructions to enjoy excellent results. This includes avoiding all the damaging habits like teeth grinding and jaw clenching during the treatment period. You must also avoid hard and sticky foods or use your teeth as tools to open bottles to avoid damaging your braces.
Visit your dentist regularly for checkups to ensure your aligners work as they should. If you experience any problems with your aligners, for example, if they feel too tight or snug, contact your dentist immediately.
Find a Competent Orthodontist Near Me
Dental crowding, malocclusion, and a bad bite are common dental problems treated using braces. Metal braces have been used successfully for years to correct these issues and restore confidence. However, with the introduction of Align Technology, people’s preference for braces has shifted from traditional metal braces to clear aligners. This is because of the many benefits Invisalign treatment offers, including confidentiality.
If you are considering Invisalign treatment in Hawthorne, you need adequate information to make the right decision. Our highly trained and experienced orthodontists at The Hawthorne Dentists can guide you through this process. We will also explain the treatment, guide you through it, and support you throughout the treatment period until you are happy with the results. Call us at 310-775-2557 to discuss your needs and our services.
