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If you’re self-conscious about your teeth, a dentist can help with braces.

Traditional dental braces are made of metal and attached to the teeth, and may be necessary for more complex dental problems. However, many people can benefit from teeth straightening with invisible clear aligners like Invisalign.

Modern and Effective

Rather than using metal braces to straighten teeth, Invisalign involves a system of aligners to achieve the same outcome. The aligners are made from a plastic which is almost invisible, making them an attractive option for self-conscious adolescents and adults.

The aligner is molded for each individual case and fits snugly over the teeth while applying a gentle, continuous pressure. This pressure gradually pushes teeth into the desired position.

Attempting to straighten teeth cannot be done in a fortnight and may take weeks or months in order to achieve the desired outcome. Once the first aligner has finished its work, it is swapped out for a second one which takes the process a step further. This swapping of clear aligners continues every two weeks until the teeth are finally exactly in the desired position.

Five-Step Process

Correcting problem teeth can, and will, take time. It is not a quick fix but a five-step process.

Dental Appointment

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for Invisalign clear aligners. The first step on the road to a perfect smile is to consult a dentist about whether the system can fix your dental problems.

If the system is recommended, the dentist will explain the process in detail and provide a rough timeline of treatment. If the issue(s) cannot be resolved with Invisalign, your dentist will discuss other methods of treatment.

Mold Making

A mold will to made to create your aligners. This can involve digital scanning, photographs and the use of x-rays to provide a perfect representation of mouth and teeth. These are sent to a dedicated laboratory where a 3-D model of the mouth and teeth is generated. This is used to make the first aligner and a following series of aligners, each designed to achieve incremental changes.

After the molds are completed, the dentist will fit the first aligners.

After a couple of weeks, the dentist will check to ensure the aligners are performing as they should. Once the first aligner has completed its task, it will be replaced by the second in the series. This is a simple matter of swapping the new aligner for the old – and does not require the assistance of a dentist.

Results

During the process, regular appointments should be made with the dentist to ensure that aligners are moving the teeth into the desired position. Any deviations or difficulties should be detected as early as possible, although such problems are rare. Any early issues may require an adjustment to the aligners which may slow the process.

There is no set time on how long it may be necessary to wear the aligners as every case is different. While it may be possible to straighten teeth fairly quickly, there may be other associated issues which will also require attention.

Suitability

The Invisalign system is a tested and proven method to straighten teeth, but this is not the only dental issue that can be treated. Although everything will depend on the severity of the problem, Invisalign can be used to treat:

Crooked teeth. In cases where there are no underlying issues with the jawbone.

Overbite. As long as the upper teeth are not too far out of alignment with the lower set.

Underbite. As with an overbite, it will depend on the degree of misalignment between the bottom and top teeth. In some cases, aligners may be used in conjunction with traditional braces.

Crossbite. Invisalign can often be used successfully to guide the problem teeth into the correct position.

Gapped teeth. The aligners have proven successful in closing gaps between teeth but this will depend on the width of the spaces as larger spaces may require the use of dental braces.

Open bite. Invisalign has been shown to be very effective in treating an open bite in many cases.

Crowded teeth. Moving crowded teeth can be a problem but can be treated using the system if the crowding is not too severe. This will need to be decided by the dentist.

While some issues with the teeth are beyond the capability of Invisalign to treat and cure, there are many common problems that respond extremely well to the system.

As the Invisalign system is constantly evolving and improving, there are increasingly more dental issues for which it can provide a solution.

Using Invisalign invisible aligners is not just an exercise in vanity, it is a proven method of correcting many common dental issues which will improve one's appearance and smile without the need to wear unsightly metal braces for months on end.