We meet a lot of people and see a lot of smiles. Some people are blessed with genetically straight teeth. Most of us, however, need a little help to get that smile in-line. While a straight smile is certainly a boost to your appearance, there are more reasons to go for that picture perfect smile than just the way it looks.
The real goal of orthodontics is to correctly position teeth to optimize your bite for function as well as appearance. Traditional braces with brackets and wires are not the only way to straighten your teeth. We can now use clear aligners that look like a retainer to discreetly straighten your teeth and correct your bite.
Braces are often associated with children. In dentistry we use early types of interventions in orthodontics to create necessary space and facilitate the eruption of permanent teeth. That being said, adults often undergo orthodontic treatment to realign their teeth permanently. Since the process of tooth movement is the same in children and adults, orthodontic treatment can be done at any time.
Straightening your teeth is not just about cosmetics and the perfect smile. Often when someone makes the choice to straighten their teeth it will also improve the function of the teeth and jaw muscles. Crowding of the teeth creates plaque traps and difficult access points for efficient home care. Teeth in straight alignment will make flossing and brushing easier and more effective. Thus avoiding gum disease or infections in the future.
Braces have come a long way and are much more discreet than orthodontics of the past. Small metal or white porcelain brackets are bonded to the front of each tooth and connected with an arch wire. During orthodontic treatment the dentist will gradually shift the teeth by changing out the arch wire with varying degrees of tightness based on a treatment plan. The wire will be replaced several times with thicker wires which will continue to move the teeth until a desired result is achieved.
Regular follow up appointments between 4-6 weeks are required to maintain the treatment and check progress. Oral hygiene with traditional orthodontics can be difficult and time consuming. Impeccable oral hygiene while in treatment is definitely necessary to avoid cavities in between the teeth and demineralization of the enamel around the brackets.
Invisalign is another option for orthodontic movement. This treatment is newer technology which uses a series of clear retainers to move your teeth into correct alignment. These transparent aligners are geared to work on mild to moderate orthodontic problems.
Oftentimes Invisalign treatment is faster than traditional orthodontics. However, patient compliance is of the highest importance for successful treatment. This type of orthodontics requires patient’s to be disciplined when wearing the aligners to avoid prolonging the treatment or compromising the results.
Oral hygiene with Invisalign is very simple since the clear aligners are removable. You can complete your normal oral hygiene routine with ease.
Do you want straighter teeth? Ready to smile with confidence? Or just enjoy all the benefits of well aligned teeth? Contact Kearbey Dental Group and set up a free consultation. Together, we can find out if traditional orthodontics or Invisalign is the right option for you.
