05 Feb Orthodontic Treatment: Alternatives for the Working Professional
Are your teeth crooked? Do you yearn for a straighter smile but fear wearing conspicuous braces to work? Many adult patients forego orthodontic treatment including braces because they feel metal wires and ligatures will negatively affect their professional lives. Fortunately, your dentist can help you achieve a straighter smile much more discreetly with the Invisalign system of clear, corrective braces.
Invisalign involves the use of plastic, retainer-like aligners that slowly straighten teeth over time. Developed by two Stanford University graduate students, this system was designed to provide orthodontic care to patients in a more comfortable and inconspicuous manner than traditional braces. Patients using Invisalign will use a series of custom-fitted retainers, which are worn in succession to shift and move teeth to a proper alignment.
This system provides many benefits over traditional braces to patients. For example, the aligners, which are worn over teeth like a retainer, are made from soft plastics. This prevents patients from cutting or scraping the soft tissues of their mouths on oral appliances. Furthermore, Invisaglin aligners are removable so that patients can eat their favorite foods easily and conduct their oral hygiene routines as normal.
While many patients desire straighter smiles to improve their appearance, a straight smile also promotes optimal oral health. When teeth are crowded or overlapping on another, food and bacteria accumulate in between teeth in difficult to clean crevices. Because patients cannot properly brush and floss between teeth, they hold a higher risk for developing dental caries and periodontal disease.
To learn if this discreet, comfortable orthodontic system is right for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with our dentist. At your consultation, our team will determine the underlying cause of your crooked smile and discern the proper course of treatment for your needs. In addition to straightening teeth, Invisalign can also align a patient’s occlusion (bite).
More and more patients are turning to orthodontic treatment during their adult years. To reserve your Invisalign consultation with our experienced dentists, contact our office at 210-616-0858 today.