One of the leading oral health issues that individuals of all ages may experience at some point in their life is malocclusion. This misalignment of the teeth can be the result of any number of factors, and individuals with malocclusion should right away seek out professional dental treatments as fast as possible to not only enhance their smile, but avoid other painful and life-altering side effects. This is why some patients have now turned to the Invisalign system to realign their smile without the use of traditional metal braces. Here is a look at the advantages of the Invisalign system and who will make a good candidate for these almost-invisible trays.
Malocclusion can happen to any patient at any point in their life. Once the permanent teeth have come in, there are quite a few factors that could lead to gaps in one's smile or teeth that have shifted from their natural position. Some of the most typical causes of malocclusion include genetics, oral health issues in a child's first few years, impacted teeth, atrophying jaws, and severe periodontal disease.
When this condition is not treated as quickly as possible, the patient will be at an increased risk for side effects that may result in irreversible damage to the mouth, face, and neck. Individuals with larger gaps or a misaligned smile will often have an uneven bite pattern that will put excessive wear and tear on certain teeth. In turn, this could lead to tooth fractures, chips, and TMJ disorders. Luckily, Invisalign aligners can be used to quickly and permanently realign a patient's smile without the need to wear metal braces.
The dentist begins this process by taking very precise measurements of the patient's upper and lower teeth and then sending these specifications off to a specialty manufacturer. The manufacturer will then create a series of trays that can be swapped out every two weeks. During this period, the individual will not be required to make bi-monthly visits to the dentist to have adjustments made to these dental appliances. Rather, they can just open up the new package of trays to replace their previous pair.
The transition to a straight smile will start in as little as a few months and most patients will be required to wear these devices from 9 months to 2 years. For younger individuals or those with more sever malocclusion, the dentist may suggest the use of braces as an alternative to Invisalign aligners or previous to the Invisalign treatment.
Along with a straight and complete smile, patients can take these trays out to enjoy all of their favorite foods and keep up with their daily brushing and flossing. Individuals that would like to enjoy the appearance and health advantages of aligned teeth should contact their dentist about this popular treatment option.
Our Northridge Invisalign provider at Northridge Dental Group can examine your teeth and determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment.