There are several things that can be done to improve a smile in just a short period of time. For example, teeth whitening or veneers can be used to achieve a whiter smile in just a few weeks. Not all smile improvements are so quick though and straightening teeth in particular can even take a year or more.
This makes sense, as straightening teeth requires a gentle force being applied to the teeth, and too strong a force, to speed things up, could easily result in damage to the teeth and even the jawbone. It is necessary then for this to be a very gradual process, a factor in itself which can deter some people from having this done.
The other barrier for some people is the thought of wearing dental braces for such a long period of time. Many people have visions of having to wear the often very visible old style metal braces and decide to decline any treatment and put up with a crooked smile. For those people in particular, we are pleased to report that at Blake Dental, your dentist in Witham, we are able to offer a more discreet and comfortable way of straightening teeth, using the Invisalign system.
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic system that performs a similar function to old style dental braces but is much less visible and also offers other benefits which we will see shortly. Instead of using a system of wires and brackets which are fitted around the teeth, Invisalign uses a series of medical grade plastic transparent trays that fit over the teeth.
Each tray is designed to move the teeth a little towards their desired position and once this has been achieved, the tray is removed and replaced by the next in the series until the teeth are straight once more. The length of time this takes will depend on the severity of the straightening it needs to perform.
For patients that have crooked and uneven teeth, we will first of all arrange for you to have an initial consultation where we will discuss the various options with you. If you decide to go ahead, you will also receive a full oral health check and we will treat any issues that we find. After all, there is little point in straightening your teeth only for some of them to be decayed once they are straight.
Once we are happy that your teeth and gums are in good health, we will take digital scans and impressions of your crooked teeth which are used to produce the transparent trays. When these are ready, you will be recalled to our Witham dental practice where we will explain how to use the Invisalign teeth straightening system and show you how to fit and remove them yourself. This is simple to do and, while you will be monitored by a dentist throughout the process, you may not need to visit in order to have them changed.
The main benefit that appeals to people is the fact that they are barely visible when being worn. This enables people to have their teeth straightened with more confidence and you can wear them without people even noticing in most situations. They are also removable which offers many advantages.
While you can remove them for situations where you might feel more comfortable without them, such as a job interview, they are primarily meant to be removed when you are eating and for brushing and flossing your teeth. It is important that you don’t remove them more than is necessary as this is likely to extend the treatment time.
As there are no metal wires and brackets and they are produced from scans of your own teeth, most people find them comfortable to wear. They may feel a little strange initially as they are a ‘foreign body’ in your mouth but you will soon become accustomed to them and forget that you are wearing them most of the time.
Aside from the convenience of being able to remove them when eating and therefore not being restricted in your food choices, the fact that you can remove Invisalign to clean your teeth is a big bonus. Traditional style braces wearers are more prone to problems like tooth decay as food that becomes trapped in the wiring is difficult to remove. Brushing and flossing your teeth is harder too.
While most people do have their teeth straightened for aesthetic reasons, having even teeth also makes them easier to keep clean. Teeth that are pressed together or overlap a little provide small spaces that food and bacteria can become trapped in. These same areas are often very difficult to reach with a toothbrush or even dental floss. This greatly increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. With straighter teeth, there is every chance that your general oral health will be improved due to the ease of cleaning.
Finally, many of our Invisalign wearers are so delighted with the results that they complete the treatment by having their teeth whitened in order to bring the best out of their new smile.
If you have crooked teeth and would like to see how this system might work for you, why not give us a call to arrange a no obligation initial consultation with us? You can call Blake Dental today on 01376 501688.
