There are many different factors that can affect the appearance of your smile. One of the most common factors is crooked teeth, which are more common than you may think. Dental alignment issues affect most people to a certain extent. If you are troubled by crooked or misaligned teeth, you can speak to your dentist about teeth straightening. Different people have different extents of misalignment, and thanks to advances in dental technology, there are different types of braces and orthodontic appliances to meet your unique dental needs. Whether you have undergone orthodontic treatment when you were younger or this is the first time you are considering teeth straightening, speak to your dentist and find out about the different types of braces that are available.
Traditional braces or removable aligners
If you have complex orthodontic issues, you may need to use traditional metal braces since they are highly effective at correcting all types of orthodontic issues to create a neatly aligned smile that is aesthetically pleasing and easier to maintain. If you have mild or moderate orthodontic issues, removable aligners may be a more suitable option for you. Removable aligners such as Invisalign London are also very effective at straightening teeth. You can improve the appearance of your smile and enjoy healthy teeth and gums at your convenience and discretion. As the name suggests, Invisalign is almost invisible when worn, and no one will know you are undergoing orthodontic treatment unless. You can straighten your teeth in approximately 6 to 18 months, depending on how misaligned your teeth initially are.
Better dental health
Minor misalignment issues may simply affect the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, whereas complex ones can affect both the appearance and health of your teeth and gums.
Crooked teeth are more likely to develop dental health complications, including cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and even periodontal disease in comparison to straight teeth. So if you want your teeth to last for the rest of your life, you need to straighten your teeth. Invisalign can help improve the appearance and health of your teeth, reducing the chance of tooth decay, gum disease or periodontal disease; this means it can help you increase the longevity of your teeth and delay tooth loss. Contrary to popular belief, tooth loss is not a natural part of the ageing process; it occurs as a result of poor dental hygiene, poor lifestyle choices, and not attending dental checkups regularly. If you straighten your teeth with Invisalign, maintain good dental hygiene at home, live a healthy lifestyle and visit your dentist regularly, your teeth will last for a lifetime.
To undergo orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign, you must have healthy teeth and gums. If you suffer from tooth decay or gum disease, these issues will need to be addressed before you can begin straightening your teeth. Your dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums, looking for any signs of cavities or gum disease, and put together a treatment plan accordingly. Once your teeth are healthy, it will be safe to move your teeth; otherwise, your teeth could become damaged or broken if they are already weak, and your gums can be worsened or teeth may become wobbly if moved when you are affected by gum disease.
When you are ready to straighten your teeth, your dentist will take an intraoral scan of your mouth; this involves taking thousands of pictures of the inside of your mouth and putting them together to create a digital image of your teeth. The Invisalign software is used to show you before-and-after pictures of how your teeth will look after you have straightened them with Invisalign. If you are happy with what you see and want to go ahead with the treatment, the before-and-after pictures will be used to design a sequence of aligners that will help you achieve these results.
These are clear thermoplastic aligners that are designed to be comfortable and discreet when worn, making Invisalign one of the most popular orthodontic treatments across the world.