Detailed Invisalign

The benefits of the Invisalign system of repositioning misaligned teeth go far beyond a beautiful smile. With Invisalign clear, removable devices, improvements in appearance go hand in hand with significant health advantages, including reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

As the American Dental Association points out, straightening crooked teeth can have an important impact on overall dental health. Besides correcting teeth that are crooked, gapped, or crowded, Invisalign also rectifies abnormal bite functions, when the upper and lower jaws fail to come together properly. If bite problems are not fixed, they can lead to further oral health issues including cavities and tooth loss, gum infections, erosion of tooth enamel and difficulties in speaking and/or eating.

Teeth that are widely spaced or crowded can result in gum disease (periodontitis). When your teeth are properly positioned, the gums fit more firmly around the teeth, providing a strong defense against gum infections. The health benefits of clear aligners like Invisalign were underscored by dental health educator Lauren Gueits in a 2016 article for Dentistry IQ, the online resource for dental professionals, in which she explains how dentists can help their patients understand the health benefits of properly aligned teeth.

Straighter teeth mean a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime. Correcting orthodontic problems can put an end to issues such as bad breath (halitosis), gingivitis (gum inflammation), tooth sensitivity and chipping of teeth. As well as resolving immediate problems, Invisalign can also help to prevent more serious issues from developing, including tooth loss.

Designed for Comfort and Convenience

The cutting-edge alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners have become the most popular removable dental brace. Invisalign aligners move teeth into their proper position gradually and gently – without the unsightly brackets and wires that come with conventional dental braces. Invisalign appliances are made from medical-grade polyurethane resin that’s virtually invisible.

Because Invisalign aligners are removable, you can brush and floss your teeth as normal, maintaining a high level of oral hygiene. Traditional braces can pose problems in removing bits of food that get trapped in the wires and brackets, and this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Another benefit of Invisalign over traditional fixed braces is that you can take your aligner out, so you can continue to eat and drink whatever you want and take part in sports and similar activities.

Unlike, metal braces, Invisalign aligners have smooth edges, which make them more comfortable, and they provide much greater control in the teeth straightening process, with a series of precisely timed and regulated movements of the teeth. Invisalign aligners are customized for a precise, comfortable fit. Each aligner in the treatment process moves your teeth slightly, vertically and horizontally and even rotating them when needed.

With Invisalign, you don’t have to keep going back to your dentist so often – just every four to six weeks – and it’s easier to see the treatment results at every stage of the process, which typically runs over 12 months, with the aligners being worn for about 22 hours a day.

Invisalign Digital Scanning

The benefits of Invisalign start before you actually pop the first aligner into your mouth. Invisalign is generally used in conjunction with 3D digital scanning, a painless and non-invasive procedure that’s much more comfortable than taking traditional impressions of the teeth, particularly unpleasant for anyone with a strong gag reaction.

Digital imaging is also less intrusive than conventional X-rays, and unlike old-style film X-Rays, CAD (computer-aided design) dental technology provides an open environment that helps to eliminate feelings of claustrophobia.

Invisalign Boosts Teens’ Self-Confidence

There’s evidence to suggest that youngsters can particularly benefit from Invisalign in the form of a boost to self-confidence. Problems like protruding or crooked teeth affect many teens and can result in feelings that they’re unattractive. Teenagers who experience lack of self-confidence during adolescence are more vulnerable to negative influences of their peers and are more likely to become depressed.

U.S. government health experts published a report in 2014 suggesting that abnormalities of the teeth and jaw prompted harassment and teasing among youngsters, adversely affecting mental health and social interaction. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) says patients aged 12 to 17 comprise more than half of the two million people who start orthodontic treatment in the U.S. each year.

A 2014 survey found that 96 per cent of U.S. teenagers were dissatisfied with their smile and apprehensive about their overall appearance. Thirty per cent were most self-conscious about their teeth. However, almost 50 per cent of Invisalign Teen users report an increase in self-esteem during the treatment, compared with fewer than a quarter of those wearing metal braces. An increasing number of teens are opting for Invisalign aligners over conventional braces because Invisalign is so inconspicuous. Studies indicate that teenagers who wear Invisalign aligners are far less likely to suffer bullying because of their appearance.

The Answer to a Host of Dental Problems

Whatever your age, or teeth misalignment or bite problem, Invisalign can boost your self-regard by allowing you to show off your lovely smile while knowing that your oral health is in top condition. Invisalign is highly effective in fixing a multitude of dental problems, including open bite, overbite, underbite, crossbite, overcrowded teeth, gapped teeth and protruding teeth.

The people behind the Invisalign system, Align Technology, the U.S.-based global medical device company, says Invisalign is “the most advanced clear aligner system in the world.” Invisalign treatment costs about the same as that of conventional braces and is covered by many orthodontic insurance plans.

Look for an experienced orthodontist, like Dr. Amy Buchler at OMG Smiles, who will be able to explain the whole Invisalign process and draw up a treatment plan tailored to your specific case. Besides giving you a healthy mouth, Invisalign provides you with the freedom to get on with your everyday life without any of the hassles associated with conventional fixed braces.