From the category archives:

Invisible Braces

The health benefits of invisible braces

Invisible braces can improve the appearance of your teeth, but did you know that they can also improve your overall oral health? Traditionally, we think of dental braces as the solution to fixing crooked teeth or closing gaps. While it’s true that dental braces give you a beautiful straight smile, they will also give you healthier teeth and gums.

Invisible braces will help you look better and feel better by preventing the physical problems associated with misaligned teeth. By correcting your smile with invisible braces now, you might even eliminate the need for dentures later on in life.

Let’s start with oral hygiene. Crooked and overlapping teeth are much harder to clean than straight teeth. Imperfections in the alignment of your teeth can create crevices that you’re tooth brush is unable to reach. Food can easily become trapped in these places, leading to decay.

Invisible braces solve this problem by straightening your teeth. You’ll be able to thoroughly access all four sides of each tooth when you brush and floss. Invisible braces will help with long-term cavity prevention and reduce your risk of gum disease.

Another problem caused by misaligned teeth is an improper bite. Malocclusion, the technical term for a bad bite, can lead to numerous problems with your oral and overall health. Unless properly aligned with dental braces, a bad bite can cause uneven wear and tear on your teeth. Your invisible braces will correct your bite, preventing years of wear and stress that could lead to the need for crowns and alleviating.

A bad bite can also prevent you from properly chewing your food. With some teeth having to work harder than others, certain bones and muscles in your jaw will become stressed. Again, straightening your teeth with invisible braces can fix this issue, and head off potential, and serious, problems with your jaw in the future.

An improper bite can also lead to headaches and pain in your neck and jaw. You might be surprised to learn that dental braces could put an end to chronic headaches. If misaligned teeth are the root cause of your pain, invisible braces can eliminate your pain, which will only make you feel better physically but will also improve your mood.

Like a bad bite caused by misaligned teeth, an overbite can also cause uneven wear on your enamel. An excess amount of stress is put on your front lower teeth. Wearing dental braces will your overbite and prevent the possible chipping of your front lower teeth.

If your teeth do not overlap at all, that is called an “open bite.” An openbite wears on your back teeth, which could ultimately lead to a need for crowns or dental veneers. Openbites are another problem that dental braces can correct.

In addition to your physical health, invisible braces can also help improve your outlook on life. A beautiful smile increases your self-esteem and self-confidence. With a little help from dental braces, you can find yourself becoming more outgoing. And you’re guaranteed to smile more than ever before!

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What are invisible braces?

The concept of invisible braces has been around since the 1940s. However, it’s only been within the past decade that they have soared in popularity. You’ve probably heard of this new type of dental braces, but you might not know how they work. Really, the concept and overall process is simple.

Invisible braces are different

Let’s start by throwing out everything you think and know about standard dental braces. Invisible braces have revolutionized the world of orthodontics. From start to finish, the process is more pleasant that you would ever have imagined possible. Be ready to open your mind to the possibility of wearing dental braces – you’ve got more options than you think.

Arguably, the phrase “invisible braces” is a misnomer. They are only like other dental braces in that they permanently straighten your teeth over a period of time. In virtually every other way, invisible braces are totally different from traditional dental braces. They’re comfortable, removable, and undetectable by others. If you’ve been reluctant to get dental braces, you’ll find that invisible braces will eliminate all your worries.

The basics of invisible braces

Invisible braces are basically a plastic tray, referred to as an “aligner.” You can think of them as being similar to mouth guards used by athletes, or night guards used by individuals who clench their teeth. They have also been compared to over-the-counter teeth whitening trays.

These plastic aligners, however, are custom made to fit your teeth. In place of the brackets and wires of used in traditional dental braces, the plastic tray exerts the necessary force to permanently move your teeth.

How invisible braces work

Invisible braces are a series of trays. The straightening process is gradual, taking place in predictable increments. After your current aligner has moved your teeth a given amount, you’ll be fitted for a new aligner. Each aligner moves you closer to the finished product – your beautiful new smile!

Unlike metal dental braces, there is no painful tightening of screws. Progress is achieved by simply swapping out one aligner for another.

How invisible braces are made

As mentioned above, invisible braces are made from plastic. The plastic is extremely durable, made from medical grade materials. Most dental braces are made from metal, which has sharp edges and is difficult to clean. With this new technology, orthodontists can correct your smile with material that’s comfortable and practically invisible.

Each aligner is made specifically for you. That is, the trays aren’t a “one size fits all” product. Through x-rays, impressions, and 3-D computer imaging, your orthodontist will be able to custom create trays that perfectly fit your teeth. Each step in the process is mapped out, allowing you to see the end result and decide in advance whether you’re happy with it. If not, you and your orthodontist can work together to adjust the plan. That’s an exciting benefit that traditional dental braces don’t offer.

Conclusion

Hundreds of thousands of people have used invisible braces to achieve the smile of their dreams. Through a series of custom-made plastic trays, invisible braces achieve the same results as standard dental braces. Invisible braces are an option in the vast majority of cases, but not everyone will be a candidate. An orthodontist will help you determine whether they are the right choice for you.

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