Invisalign

It is safe to say that no one truly likes wearing braces. Food stuck between teeth and rail-road tracks covering one’s smile described the historical orthodontic braces experience. You will be glad to know that the benefits of orthodontic tooth movement can now be achieved without bands or wires. Invisalign® represents a technological breakthrough that employs a series of customized clear plastic removable aligners that gently move teeth into ideal positions. Simply put, Invisalign® can safely move teeth in both teenagers and adults to create functional and beautiful smiles without interfering with one’s day-to- day life.

At what age can you start Invisalign®? Patients at any age can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Invisalign® has become for many adults the preferred orthodontic approach. In addition, mature children who possess the discipline to wear their Invisalign® aligners almost 24/7 are also considered good candidates.

Why straighten teeth? Teeth that are crooked, crowded, or affect the way your teeth no merely look, but function are a concern. Viewed from a different perspective, orthodontic treatment does more than improve your smile, your oral health also benefits. Straight teeth are easier to clean and less prone to decay or injury. Our bite-chewing efficiency is affected by the manner in which your teeth interlock. Malocclusion has been defined as a failure of the top and bottom teeth and jaws to fit properly together. Missing, crowded or cooked teeth contribute to a bad bite. Thumb/finger sucking or tongue thrusting have also been shown to affect one’s bite. Such habits can lead to challenges eating, unfavorable tooth wear and eventually, chipped or broken teeth. In addition, a bad bite contributes to jaw, neck and back muscle tension and pain. Simply put, not merely your smile, but your health is improved when you fix a bad bite.

How does Invisalign® work? Orthodontic treatment by definition straightens teeth into ideal functional and esthetic positions. The Invisalign® process begins with impressions (moulds) of your teeth. This enables Dr. Novack in collaboration with the team at Invisalign® to determine the most appropriate approach for you. Clear-invisible custom aligners are worn for a period of 1-2 weeks and then replaced with for the next set of aligners. This cycle continues over a number of months and/or years depending upon the complexity of your case. The aligners are designed to distribute gentle pressure along your teeth to over time move them into the desired positions. On a regular basis, Dr. Novack will track your progress. Once Invisalign® treatment is complete, to prevent relapse typically a wire will then be bonded onto the inside surfaces of your front teeth or removable clear nighttime aligners are fabricated. As there are neither metal brackets to attach nor wires to tighten, Invisalign® does not interfere with your daily life. You simply pop in a new set of aligners typically every week or two until your treatment is complete. Perhaps the best part of the path to an ultimate smile is that most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.

Orthodontic treatment employs bonded (glued on) or removable appliances to straighten and align teeth into an ideal occlusion or bite. There exist multiple functional (open-bite, under-bite, misaligned teeth, etc.) and esthetic reasons (crooked or crowded teeth, spaced teeth, etc.) to consider orthodontic treatment. Most patients are not aware that orthodontic treatment can be performed at any age. Some cases can be treated with invisible aligners, which provides the ability to maintain an esthetic smile during treatment and the flexibility to maintain oral hygiene easily. Depending on the severity of your situation referral to a specialist (orthodontist) may be recommended.