If you’ve always wanted straight teeth, but don’t like the idea of traditional braces with metal brackets and wires, Invisalign could be the perfect solution for your smile. At Bedford South Dentistry, we’re proud to offer our patients this easy new answer to orthodontics.
How does Invisalign work? Well, we create a series of clear plastic aligner trays that are custom-made to fit your teeth. You begin wearing the first aligner in the series, and after two weeks, you switch to the next aligner. Every two weeks, you continue to switch to a new aligner, and watch as your teeth gradually shift into their proper places.
Patients always tell us that straight teeth “just look better” but this process is about more than just appearances. It’s also beneficial to your health. When your teeth are in their ideal positions, they fit together better and function properly. When your teeth are not properly aligned, you can run into problems with gum disease, pain, chipping, and even bone loss.
You may need orthodontic treatment if you suffer from spaced teeth, overly-crowded teeth, crossbite, overbite, or underbite. Some patients think orthodontic treatment is just for teenagers, but the reality is that many adults are choosing the comfortable convenience of Invisalign. You’re never too old to improve your smile.
Here are just a few of the ways Invisalign could help you …
Your upper teeth are designed to slightly overlap your lower teeth so they can bite together in proper occlusion. If your jaws and teeth are naturally too far forward or too far back, you may have a bite problem. Bite problems can cause painful damage to your teeth if left untreated. Talk to us about how Invisalign can improve your bite.
When your teeth are properly aligned, they form a U-shaped arch. This makes it easy to brush them and floss between each one. If your teeth are crowded together, it makes it difficult to clean them properly, and that puts them at risk for decay. Some people are self-conscious about having crowded teeth, and wish their smile was properly aligned. Talk to us about how Invisalign can correct crowded teeth.
If you have spaces between your teeth, the gaps can cause problems with your alignment and occlusion (bite). Spaces can be corrected with the help of orthodontics. When you're missing a tooth, the surrounding teeth slowly shift their position in an attempt to fill the gap. After losing a baby tooth, it's important to allow room for an adult tooth to grown in. Talk to us about how orthodontic appliances can help maintain that space.
Q: How does Invisalign work to straighten my teeth?
A: Invisalign corrects the positioning of your teeth by aligning them into the proper U-shaped arch, leveling them to the proper height, correcting your bite, and perfecting the way your teeth fit together. You’ll wear a series of clear plastic aligner trays, switching to a new one every two weeks until you get the desired results.
Q: I’ve always been self-conscious about my teeth, but I don’t want to look like a teenager in metal braces. Is Invisalign an option for me?
A: Absolutely. Our adult patients love Invisalign because the aligner trays are practically invisible -- they can carry on with their lives and careers and not feel embarrassed by metal brackets and wires.