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Have you always wanted to straighten your smile, but don't want to get conventional metal braces? Well, you are in luck. With the introduction of Invisalign in 1999 by Align Technologies, straightening your teeth with bulky, metal braces has become a thing of the past. Invisalign is a removable orthodontic appliance that is offered as an alternative to more traditional methods. Invisalign incorporates a series of removable aligners that are designed to be esthetically pleasing, unlike many conventional wire-and-bracket braces. The clear aligners are specifically created for each individual, which means no aligner is the same for any patient. If you are a candidate for Invisalign, straightening your teeth can be easy and invisible. How Invisalign Works Invisalign is a treatment that requires a series of dental impressions to determine the best position for your teeth. During your initial consultation an impression and photographs of your teeth are taken. These impressions are then used to create three-dimensional computer projections of how your teeth can be moved. This is the basis for creating the custom-made aligners for your treatment. Your Invisalign aligners are manufactured at the Align Technologies dental laboratory using computer-aided technology. Once the aligners are created they are sent back to your dentist who will distribute them to you in a series of one or two at a time in order to successfully monitor your process. Each of your aligners is required to be worn for a specific amount of time for approximately two weeks. During each interval and aligner change, your teeth will slowly begin to move in small increments. Your aligners are removable for eating, drinking and brushing or flossing your teeth, but it is important to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day in order to allow your teeth to reposition successfully. Conditions Invisalign can Treat One condition that Invisalign can commonly treat is overly crowded teeth. When your teeth are too close together they don't have the ability to sit in a straight line because there is not enough room in your mouth. With Invisalign, the goal is to open up the space between your teeth to give them room to sit next to each other, rather than overlapping with each other. In addition to overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth can also benefit from Invisalign. When there is too much space between your teeth because of abnormal growth of your jaw or a shift in your teeth due to missing teeth, you develop widely spaced teeth. In addition, Invisalign can treat:
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites Not all instances of misaligned teeth can be treated with Invisalign, so a proper consultation with your Lakeview dentist is needed. Your dentist will examine your teeth and advise you on the best treatment option. Talk to your dentist today to see if Invisalign can straighten your smile.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Eliot Tokowitz, a leading dentist in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wrigleyville and Gold Coast. Specializing in services including, but not limited to, veneers, TMJ treatment, dental implants and Invisalign in Lakeview, Dr. Tokowitz is the premier choice for quality dental care patients can trust.
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