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Have you often desired straighter teeth, but can't bear the thought of traditional, bulky braces? With advances in today's dentistry, no longer do you have to worry about wearing noticeable, metal braces to straighten your teeth. Invisalign is a removable orthodontic appliance offered as an alternative to more traditional orthodontic solutions. If you are a candidate for Invisalign or other invisible braces, you can maintain your smile's appearance while straightening your teeth. Straight teeth can often become crooked as you age, due to changes in the structure of your mouth. In some cases, people are born with crooked teeth. In the past, the only option for patients needing teeth straightening was to have a fixed wire brace. Fortunately, there is now Invisalign which can help you achieve the perfect smile without altering your lifestyle. What is Invisalign and how does it work? It is often hard to tell if someone is wearing an Invisalign aligner, which makes the straightening process easier and less life altering. Invisalign was introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies and incorporates a series of clear, plastic aligners that fit comfortably over your teeth. Like traditional braces and orthodontic appliances, the aligners are designed to move your teeth gradually into the desired position. The Invisalign process requires one set of impressions and photographs of your teeth, which are taken during the initial consultation. Once the impressions are made, they are used to create a three-dimensional computer projection of how your teeth could be moved in increments. This process forms the basis for developing a series of custom-made aligners that are designed to accomplish the movement of your teeth to their final position. Your Invisalign aligners are fabricated at the Align Technologies dental laboratory using computer-aided design and are sent to your dentist, who will dispense them in groups of one or two at a time during regular check-up appointments so that the straightening treatment can be properly managed. Each aligner must be worn in its specific order for about two weeks, in which it moves the teeth in small increments. With Invisalign, you have the ability to remove your aligners for eating, drinking certain beverages, brushing and flossing, but they must be worn at least 20 hours a day in order to reposition the teeth successfully. Invisalign Teen Being a teenager is not always easy. A lot of teens are sensitive about their appearance and wearing braces can have a huge impact on their level of confidence. Invisalign Teen uses the same basic process as normal Invisalign, but with a modified system in order to better suit your average teenager. Unlike fixed braces, Invisalign is completely removable. Many teenagers have been known to lose or misplace their aligners, but with Invisalign Teen, teens have access to several free aligners to replace any missing or damaged ones. This also serves to speed up treatment time as there is no need to commission replacement aligners. Additionally, Invisalign Teen comes with marker tabs that show when the aligner needs to be changed by the proceeding one in the set. This allows your dentist to check that your treatment is proceeding at the correct pace and shows whether or not the aligner has been worn sufficiently. Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign, but by visiting your dentist in Vienna and Mclean you can find the best solution for straightening your teeth. Severe cases may require traditional wire braces. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Sanati, a leading 22182 dentist. Offering a wide array of services including teeth whitening and implants in Tysons Corner, Dr. Sanati provides the best in quality dental care for patients of all ages.
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