Invisalign is a very popular invisible braces system. Instead of fixed braces, Invisalign uses clear removable aligners made from thin, durable plastic. The aligners are computer-generated and are custom-made to fit tightly over your teeth. Each set is worn for approximately two weeks before being replaced with a new set to continue moving your teeth into the correct positions.
Invisalign in Oshawa can correct a wide range of problems, and treatment is very predictable with high success rates, provided you wear the aligners as directed. Conditions that can be treated by Invisalign include:
- Crooked teeth
- Spaces between teeth
- Overcrowded teeth
- Open bite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
Crooked Teeth
Teeth can become crooked for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s due to teeth shifting position as you age, jawbone loss, or loss of other teeth. When teeth are crooked, they can be trickier to keep clean and may affect your ability to chew food properly.
Spaces between Teeth
Spaces between teeth are quite common and usually only cause aesthetic problems. However, a gap between teeth can become a food trap, increasing the risk of dental disease. There is also a risk that poorly spaced teeth may affect the alignment and growth of other teeth.
Overcrowded Teeth
Overcrowding can occur if you have a small jaw, or it may happen if someone has had a thumb-sucking or finger-sucking habit that has changed the way their jaw has developed.
Open Bite
When someone has an open bite, it means the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when the jaws are closed. It can be due to thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or abnormal jaw development.
Underbite
When someone has an underbite, the lower jaw protrudes more than usual, so when the jaws bite together, the lower front teeth are in front of the upper teeth.
Crossbite
Usually, the upper teeth will bite just outside the lower teeth, but with a crossbite, they may bite inside the lower teeth on one side or both. The problem can be due to genetics, mouth breathing or thumb sucking in Whitby and may increase the risk of jaw problems like TMD.
Discovering More about Invisalign
Usually, Invisalign can correct most of the above problems, but if you are interested in straightening your teeth, it’s best to book an appointment with our certified Invisalign provider in Ajax. When you visit Margolian Dentistry, our dentist can assess your teeth and jaws to determine if you are a candidate for this treatment. If we decide it is an option, we can discuss what is involved, how long treatment will take to complete and the costs.
Treatment times can vary considerably. For example, if you only have problems affecting the alignment of your front teeth, it may only take a few months. More complex problems affecting your bite will take longer, typically a year or more. While this might seem a long time to commit to wearing aligners, it’s worth considering the possible health benefits of Invisalign treatment. Simply put, it is easier to care for a straighter smile, especially if you currently find it difficult to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly. Also, when teeth are properly aligned and bite together correctly, it helps to protect your teeth and your jaw joints against undue wear and tear and stresses.
Invisalign treatment is very straightforward and is planned using a computer scan of your teeth captured using a tiny handheld intraoral scanner. The scan creates detailed 3-D digital models of your teeth, and the Invisalign software is used to design your new smile. At this stage, we can even show you a preview of your straighter smile so you can see the effectiveness of the treatment.