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Achieving a straighter smile has become easier than ever before. With Invisalign aligners you can straighten your smile without anyone even noticing you are undergoing treatment. Invisalign is a removable orthodontic appliance that is offered as an alternative to more traditional orthodontic solutions. Introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies, Invisalign incorporates a series of invisible, clear aligners that comfortably fit over your teeth and are designed to gradually move your teeth to their desired position. Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces Invisalign may not be appropriate for certain cases of misalignment or complex bite problems, but traditional, fixed orthodontic appliances can be used for complex malocclusions. Traditional braces, though not as esthetically appealing as Invisalign, have been improved so they are smaller, less visible and more efficient than in the past. These wire-and-bracket braces help to correct misalignment faster than before. Only your dentist in Arlington Heights can determine which treatment is best for straightening your smile. Invisalign is used for the following conditions: * Overly crowded teeth
* Widely spaced teeth
* Overbite-overjet
* Crossbite
* Mild relapse
* Simple bite irregularities How Invisalign Works A simple method for straightening teeth, Invisalign first requires a set of impressions and photographs of the teeth. The impressions are used to create a three-dimensional computer projection of how the teeth could be moved in increments. These increments will help develop a series of custom-made aligners to accomplish movement of the teeth. The impressions are then sent to the Align Technologies dental laboratory. Using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) the aligners will be created from the impressions. Once complete, the aligners 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 treatment can be properly managed. Each aligner must be worn for its specified time, approximately two weeks. During this time, your teeth will move in small increments of about .25 millimeters to .33 millimeters. Your aligners are removable for eating, drinking certain beverages and brushing/flossing. Although removable, they must be worn at least 20 hours a day in order to successfully reposition your teeth. Invisalign Teen If your teen is in need of braces, he or she may now be able to straighten their smile without traditional wire braces. Invisalign Teen can be used to correct overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbites, crossbites and underbites. Plus, with Invisalign Teen, teenagers can enjoy the things they love without altering their active lifestyle. After proper consultation with a specially trained Invisalign dentist, pictures and impressions of the teeth are taken and digitalized. The process for Invisalign Teen is the same as traditional Invisalign. To make the process easier, Invisalign Teen aligners contain a tiny blue dot that signals when it is time for the next set of aligners. If an aligner is lost or damaged, Invisalign Teen provides six extra replacement aligners. Not everyone is a candidate as not all cases of misaligned and crooked teeth can be treated with Invisalign. Your dentist in Arlington Heights or orthodontist will be able to properly advise you on the best course of treatment for straightening your smile.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Meena Barsoum of Impressive Smiles, an experienced dentist in Arlington Heights. Specializing in most phases of dentistry, including teeth whitening, implants and veneers, Dr. Barsoum, Arlington Heights dentist, is highly qualified to handle the dental needs for patients of every age.
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