Many people get invisible braces due to cosmetic reasons, but did you know that crooked teeth can also impact your oral health? It's true! The fact is, it's harder to clean crooked teeth. Overlapping teeth can have food particles or debris get caught between teeth, and these might be areas that you can't reach through brushing and flossing. When this happens, you get put at risk for tooth decay, gum disease, or cavities. It's also good to note that invisible braces help fix your bite, which may not line up correctly.
If your bite is misaligned, you may experience headaches and jaw pain in your joints, which could be TMD (temporomandibular disorder). If your bite is not aligned correctly, you could wear down your teeth since they may be overworked. While most probably don't require multiple reasons to enhance their teeth cosmetically, it's nice to know that clear aligner therapy can keep you healthy as well as attractive!
How Invisalign Works
For patients interested in clear aligner therapy, your first dental appointment consists of a series of exams and impressions, even x-rays when necessary. During this time, you can discuss your smile plans and goals with your Rockville dentist. We want to be able to design the perfect smile for you, not just what fits for everyone else.
Once the impressions are created, they are scanned, and a 3-D model is formed that showcases how your teeth will look after each set of aligners. You will be able to see how your smile and teeth will look after the orthodontic process is complete. Once our Rockville dentists are satisfied with the smile plan you both have created, your treatment can begin as soon as the aligners have been fabricated. We will make sure your aligners fit your smile correctly and that there is no discomfort before leaving the dental office. Dr. Gladnick will schedule dental visits in order to keep track of your smile and note any problems.
It's important to note that in order for Invisalign to work correctly, you will need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day, and you will get a new set of aligners every two weeks. The clear aligners apply mild pressure that will gradually straighten your teeth over time. After a week to two weeks of wear, the teeth have been gently moved enough that the patient can insert the next set of aligners and little by little, the teeth are more ideally positioned. Patients love clear aligner therapy in Rockville, MD for many reasons, but one of the best parts is that, as the Invisalign name suggests, most people don’t even see the aligners. And unlike braces, no sharp areas are poking into your cheeks and gums.
The first step in determining if Invisalign is perfect for you is to schedule a dental appointment at Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. Together with you, your dentist can create a smile treatment plan that shows how your teeth will be straightened using models of your smile.