Today, dentists encourage the use of Invisalign over conventional orthodontic solutions. Invisalign is aesthetically appealing, pocket-friendly, long-lasting, and comfortable. Nevertheless, you need an experienced orthodontist or specialized dental expert for the treatment to enjoy its benefits in Fullerton City. Tayani Dental Group uses clear aligners to address your orthodontic problem and ensure a flawless and functional smile.
Invisalign in a Nutshell
You will feel conscious of your smile if your teeth are crooked, crowded, or displaced. The constant reminder that you have flawed teeth every time you smile or speak diverts your character and personality during an interaction, blocking you from bringing out your best personality. Many people with orthodontic problems wish to restore their teeth to the correct position, restoring their confidence and speech.
Braces have been used for a long time to treat misalignment. Nevertheless, this traditional treatment is associated with pain as the metal braces constantly disturb the teeth and irritate the gums. Also, braces are conspicuous and visible through the mouth, affecting the quality of your smile.
The efforts by researchers to fix the problems associated with braces and bridges led to the birth of a new orthodontic solution known as Invisalign. The clear aligners fix your orthodontic problems while avoiding all the limitations associated with traditional treatments like braces. Invisalign restores your teeth to the correct position without using wires. Also, they are clear or invisible, enabling the teeth to retain their original appearance. The smooth plastic fixtures cause little or no friction with the teeth, preventing irritation or discomfort. Again, aligners are removable, unlike semi-permanent braces. You can remove them when eating or brushing, but not for two hours daily.
Invisalign functions like the conventional orthodontic solutions to strengthen and align teeth and the jawbone. The birth of Invisalign gave orthodontic patients a solution to their misalignment without wearing the metal brackets directly attached to the teeth. However, even if aligners provide many benefits, they are most suitable for mild to moderate misalignments like crossbites, overbites, crooked teeth, underbites, overcrowded teeth, and gaps. If your problem is severe, you could be forced to utilize braces.
Invisalign is an expensive treatment, preventing many facilities from offering this orthodontic service. Thankfully, at Tayani Dental Group, we have the latest technology to provide Invisalign orthodontic services. Therefore, if you have any misalignment issues, you should visit us for an evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Conditions You Can Treat Using Invisalign
Misaligned teeth have many adaptations. Many are not due to poor oral health, meaning you cannot blame yourself. Genetic predisposition is the primary cause of many orthodontic issues.
First, when you are born with a smaller-than-usual jaw, you will have the issue of tooth overcrowding. When your jaw size is below average, your teeth will fight for the small available space, causing overcrowding. Tooth overcrowding then leads to several other issues. Overcrowding makes it challenging to maintain good dental hygiene as particles are trapped between the spaces in the mouth where the brush or floss does not reach. The debris, plaque, and calculus accumulation in these congested areas become breeding grounds for bacteria that cause oral problems like gum disease, cavities, and decay. Aligning the overcrowded teeth using clear aligners eliminates the overlaps and creates proper spacing, enabling proper dental hygiene and preventing many oral problems.
Another oral problem you can resolve using aligners is an overbite. The problem manifests through overlapping the anterior teeth of the lower jaw with those of the upper one. The misalignment stems from subconscious habits like placing the tongue over the top of the front incisors when the mouth is closed. The constant application of force pushes them outward from the standard alignment, causing an overbite. The misalignment interferes with your facial structure, giving you an elongated look in the mouth that makes you appear older than your actual age. Most of the time, you cannot close your mouth, which can cause serious challenges, mainly in public.
The opposite of an overbite is an underbite. It occurs when the lower anterior teeth push forward to conjoin with the upper front teeth. The clenching of the upper and lower teeth makes the condition painful and exposes you to oral problems like chipping and cracking. Thankfully, your orthodontist can fix the problem through aligners.
A mix of an underbite and an overbite is called a crossbite. Crossbites lead to severe gum concerns as the teeth clash. Besides, attempts to fit all your teeth in the mouth when closed can affect the jawline. These, coupled with the effects of an overbite and an underbite, can wreak havoc in your life. Luckily, an orthodontist can help fix the bite issues through Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign Advantages
Many orthodontic patients opt for Invisalign over conventional treatments because of these benefits:
They are Invisible
Invisalign is clear. Hence the name clear aligners. Therefore, they are not easily visible from the mouth. Their transparent nature means they mimic the color of your natural teeth, attracting less attention and enabling you to maintain a beautiful smile. Therefore, if you are a teenager looking for an orthodontic solution that does not draw attention or change your appearance, clear aligners are the solution.
They Enhance your Gum Tissue and Teeth Health
Conventional braces are semi-permanent, meaning you cannot remove them when eating or brushing. So, food particles are trapped in the wires, and because of the difficulty in brushing, these particles are trapped in the teeth and gums for a long, leading to plaque and calculus formation. These produce harmful bacteria that irritate the gums and cause infections. Acidic bacteria also eat away the enamel, causing cavities.
However, when you opt for braces, you can remove them when eating, meaning food particles are not trapped in them. Besides, you can maintain your usual oral hygiene by removing the aligners when brushing and flossing, minimizing the possibility of plaque accumulation. With clear aligners allowing you to maintain proper dental hygiene, you can improve the health of your soft tissue and teeth.
Aligners are Enjoyable or Comfortable
The installation process of clear aligners is painless. However, in the first few days, you will experience discomfort as the plastic fixtures push the teeth to the appropriate position. Again, the fixtures use gentle plastic material on the gums and teeth, eliminating the irritation stemming from friction. Unlike braces, Invisalign does not have sharp edges and, therefore, does not scratch the soft tissue, causing sores in the mouth.
Jaw Pain Reduction
Misalignment leads to several oral concerns, including pain in the jaw when chewing. If you are suffering from jaw pain, traditional braces can help fix the problem. The challenge is that conventional treatment is associated with pain, something you are trying to alleviate by seeking treatment. The most suitable orthodontic solution for jaw pain.
They Reduce Tooth Decay
One key benefit of clear aligners is that they enable you to maintain good dental hygiene, thus preventing many oral concerns like tooth decay and gum disease. You can remove the plastic trays when eating or brushing, reducing the risk of oral issues from poor oral hygiene like gum disease, mouth sores, and tooth decay.
Improve Digestion
Digestion starts in the mouth when you chew food. Bite issues like crossbites, underbites, and overbites can make chewing difficult because of the pain. As a result, chewing becomes difficult, meaning you swallow food that is not adequately chewed, leading to digestion problems. Clear aligners correct the misalignment causing the bite issues. When teeth and jaw are properly aligned, you chew better and swallow food that is easy to digest, improving your digestion and fixing your digestive problems.
They are Removable
Clear aligners are also removable, making them more suitable than the semi-permanent braces that can only be removed during dental visits. You can remove them when speaking, eating, or brushing. However, even though these fixtures are removable, removing them often could delay the treatment results. Therefore, orthodontists recommend wearing the aligners for at least 22 hours daily.
They Improve Your Confidence
Orthodontic issues like overcrowded, crooked, and gapped teeth can affect confidence when speaking or smiling in public. Thankfully, Invisalign fixes these problems, restoring a flawless smile and confidence that improves your social life.
There are No Diet Restrictions
Diet restriction is a significant challenge for many patients seeking to fix their misaligned teeth. Sticky and staining foods and beverages are discouraged when wearing braces because they are hard to clean, causing a flawed smile. However, Invisalign provides flexibility regarding diet, as you can maintain your usual feeding but ensure you remove the aligners first. Even though you have diet freedom, your aligners risk staining if you consume sticky substances and fail to brush your teeth properly. Whenever you consume a product that can stain or change the color of the clear aligners, brush thoroughly to prevent staining. If Invisalign is stained, it becomes visible, negating the primary reason you initially opted for treatment.
The Invisalign System
The Invisalign concept was introduced in the 1940s and has evolved since to clear aligners fabricated using a single impression taken during the first consultation. Even though these appliances are an excellent orthodontic solution, they are not the most effective treatment in particular situations. You cannot skip the initial evaluation phase, as it is crucial in establishing your candidacy for the procedure. If you are a candidate for the procedure, the dentist will explain the cost and recovery time and answer all your questions.
After consultation, your orthodontist will scan your teeth for a three-dimensional image of your teeth. The expert then utilizes advanced software to fine-tune the impressions and develop a roadmap to a flawless smile. Once the dentist finds the desired outcome using advanced technology, they will display the results so you can assess and know what your smile will look like at the end of the procedure. This is the digital part, enabling you to decide if the results from the digital phase are suitable or if you need adjustments.
If you are satisfied with the outcome, the procedure progresses to the fabrication stage. The dental professional uses the 3D images to create a 3D computer projection of the final look of the smile. The projection is then used to develop a sequence of bespoke aligners you will wear for a given duration to fix the tooth misalignment.
Aligners are produced at the Align Technology dental lab using computer-aided design or manufacturing technology. Once the clear aligners are ready, they will be sent to your dentist, who will dispense them in one or two groups until you finish the treatment. The orthodontist will schedule dental appointments every four to six weeks to replace the aligners with tighter ones. A new aligner is designed to push the teeth further toward the correct position than the former one. You wear every set of Invisalign for two weeks and will wear twenty to thirty fixtures for at most twelve months to achieve results. The treatment duration varies depending on the problem you seek to fix and your discipline levels when wearing the devices.
Caring for Invisalign
Invisalign fits your life, so it is easy to incorporate the treatment into your life. Unlike braces, you can wear clear aligners without anyone noticing or interrupting your life, particularly your diet. Also, you become confident in the treatment as you see progress every time you wear new aligners. Invisalign does not interrupt your life because every time you plan a coffee date with plans, you can always go without worrying about staining. You can easily remove them when eating and drinking. However, before putting them back on, ensure you brush your teeth, as the residues on the teeth could stain your fixtures.
For maximum benefits, wear the appliances for at least 22 hours. It takes discipline to achieve results with this form of treatment. You must have the fixtures in the mouth most of the day, even if the experience could be unpleasant. The treatment can be challenging for teenagers as they find it difficult to have the fixtures in the mouth. Supervision is therefore required; otherwise, the treatment will take longer. The challenge parents face in convincing children to wear Invisalign has not gone unrecognized, as technological advancements have created an additional feature that helps with compliance tracking. The aligners are fixed with indicators that turn blue when your child complies. It makes developing self-discipline in a child easy and ensures close and adequate supervision.
As an adult, you do not need an indicator. You already know the reason for seeking treatment and the results you want to achieve. Your dental goals should enable you to be compliant.
With clear aligners, you do not have to make any life adjustments. Even with these guarantees of a standard life, some people complain of sensitivity from the plastic fixtures, causing gum irritation and inflammation. If you experience any adverse reactions from the treatment, do not hesitate to inform your dental professional about it for treatment mode adjustment.
Considerations Before Treatment
Many patients who choose Invisalign have mildly or moderately crowded or crooked teeth, particularly in the front. Inadequate space causes the teeth to grow out of position, adversely affecting your smile. The dentist fixes this problem by creating extra space for the teeth.
For example, your orthodontist will utilize clear aligners to expand the posterior teeth and create space in the front. With extra space in the front, the teeth can move to the correct position, improving and broadening your smile. Pulling the posterior teeth backward also creates space to shift the teeth forward. A third technique your dentist uses is interproximal reduction, which makes the teeth slim through sanding to form more room for moving teeth to the appropriate positions. The advantage of this third technique is that it is rarely noticeable, and the sanding does not cause tooth sensitivity.
Also, when considering Invisalign, you should know that some teeth require attachments, usually tiny plastic bumps that mimic the color of the teeth. They give the clear aligners or trays a firm grip that enables them to remain in the same position to avoid causing friction leading to irritation. Besides, the trays put additional force, pushing teeth toward the correct position or direction. Orthodontists do not suggest trays for all patients. Therefore, you should not be discouraged from seeking treatment because of these attachments. First, consult your dentist for an evaluation to determine if you require them and their benefits.
In other cases, the dentist can require you to wear rubber bands with the aligners. These help apply extra pressure or force to particular teeth that need fixing.
You must wear aligners for at least 22 hours daily when installed. You should remove them occasionally, mainly when eating or brushing. It will be easier to attain results if you wear the aligners longer.
During your final aligner, you must wear retainers. Dentists recommend clear retainers like Invisalign because they are invisible. You can go for the fixed retainer, but have the dentist fix them in the interior of the lower jaw of the anterior teeth.
Find a Competent Orthodontist Near Me
If misaligned teeth are wreaking havoc in your life and you want to fix the problem, consider Invisalign aligners. The treatment offers many benefits over conventional braces, so you should consider it. However, choosing an orthodontist will determine whether you will enjoy the benefits. At Tayani Dental Group, we provide quality orthodontic services using advanced technology to maximize benefits. Call us at 949-741-0795 for a no-obligation consultation in Fullerton City.
