What Issues Can Invisalign Fix?
By Joe Pace | Published on December 22, 2010 | 0 Comments
Your smile is the first thing you see when you look in the mirror, so naturally, you want your teeth to be straight and aligned. While braces represent the traditional option for aligning your teeth, a recent innovation in cosmetic dentistry called Invisalign is being used more and more. Dr. Joe Pace of Pace Dental on Pleasant Street in Vienna,Virginia explains how Invisalign straightens your teeth in a non-invasive way.
Invisalign, a product first released in 1998 by Align Technologies, is a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. It corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens, and includes a variety of products such as Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express, and Vivera Retainers.
While it mainly treats the cosmetic look of your teeth through alignment, there are some other added benefits it offers, Dr. Pace. First of all, it can improve cross bites, overbites, underbites, crowded teeth, or teeth that are spaced too far apart. As an alternative to braces, both orthodontists and dentists have been using this option more and more.
In addition to improving your bite, Invisalign can also improve the overall health of your gums, jaw and teeth. Improving the way the teeth bite together so that they meet correctly can positively impact the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints by spreading bite pressure evenly. This lessens the strain that is put on the muscles of the face and helps prevent jaw and joint problems. It can also help prevent headaches, since there is improved circulation and balance in the muscles of your face and jaws.
Choosing Invisalign over braces improves another issue that many people have with traditional orthodontics. With braces, the process of cleaning your teeth becomes more difficult, which can affect your oral hygiene. Cleaning your teeth while being treated with Invisalign is much easier than with braces since you can just pop out the appliance, brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, and then place it in your mouth again. With braces, you have to worry about cleaning the spaces blocked by wires and brackets that are adhered to your teeth, which makes brushing and flossing more difficult.
Clearly, Invisalign comes with a host of benefits, all of which can improve the way your mouth looks and feels. However, since there are some limitations as to the types of movement that can be accomplished with this technology, make sure to discuss your options with a dentist offering Invisalign to see if it is actually the best choice for you.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.