Cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular and widespread. There can be few people now who are not aware that you can have your teeth safely and professionally whitened by a dentist for example. The number of people taking up this option, along with other options such as porcelain veneers, is certainly on the rise.
There is one area though that some people still find a little challenging, but is very important and which can significantly give your smile and oral health a boost too. We are talking, of course, about crooked teeth and orthodontic treatment.
Why is it that people are sometimes more reluctant to undergo this treatment? It may well be that in our psyche, we still associate teeth straightening with the wearing of visible and cumbersome metal dental braces. While this is still an effective method, dentists have for some time been aware that some people still associate the wearing of them with school bullying and derogatory comments being made about those who had to wear them.
Things have changed though and there are now more discreet and convenient methods of teeth straightening such as Invisalign. The good news is that they are now available at the Clarence Dental Practice, so let's take a closer look now.
If the idea of wearing metal wires and brackets for a long period of time is deterring you from having your teeth straightened, please allow us to introduce you to Invisalign, a new and revolutionary way to straighten teeth. Instead of the wires and brackets, Invisalign uses a series of transparent ‘aligners’ that are made to fit directly over your teeth. We make digital scans and impressions of your teeth which are then used by a special laboratory to make your bespoke aligners . Each aligner is worn for a short while before being replaced with the next in the series, with each helping to progress the correction of your teeth a little each time until your teeth are straight and even again.
You might ask, ‘is it really worth it?’. The fact is that having crooked teeth can really spoil an otherwise attractive smile. Even a small flaw really shows when you smile and a single slightly overlapping tooth can detract from the rest of your teeth.
It is not just aesthetics either. Having crooked teeth means that there are more places for food and bacteria to become trapped and cause problems like tooth decay and gum disease. These places are also likely to be difficult to reach with a toothbrush and even dental floss. Having straight and even teeth then makes it much easier to keep them clean and avoid problems such as those mentioned.
Let us take a look now at the benefits of Invisalign over traditional ‘train track’ braces. Before we move to the practical and aesthetic benefits, it is worth mentioning that the old style braces can trap food and can be very difficult to keep clean. Tooth decay is not uncommon then with older style braces due to this. With Invisalign, this is not a problem at all. Indeed, unlike metal braces which are fixed in the mouth for the duration of the treatment; often a year or so, the Invisalign trays are designed to be removed by yourself to enable you to clean your teeth. This certainly helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
The 'removability' of the trays also means that you can eat whatever you want. While wearers of traditional braces often avoid certain foods that might get stuck in the braces; toffees, steak and spinach spring to mind, this is not a problem with the trays. You simply remove them, eat whatever you want and then replace them. Naturally, it is important that you don’t allow food and bacteria to become trapped and regular cleaning of your teeth and the trays is important. We we will discuss this with you at your initial consultation.
Finally, the most obvious benefit to most people, and one of the most common reasons for their use, is that they are almost invisible. Unlike metal braces, most people won’t even know that you are wearing Invisalign unless they are very close to you. Made from a transparent medical grade plastic, you can wear your aligner trays without fear of people staring at you. If you work in a role that requires very close up work, such as a TV presenter, you can remove the trays for this purpose for a short period of time. This should only be done when necessary though as too frequent or long a removal will mean that the time taken to straighten your teeth will be longer.
Given the above and the fact that many people comment positively on the convenience and comfort of this method, it isn’t surprising that Invisalign has become a 'game changer' for many people’s smiles. If you would like to see how we can help you have a straighter and more even smile using this method, why not contact us to arrange an initial consultation at our Staines dental clinic? You can do this by calling the Clarence Dental Practice today on 01784 463 695. We look forward to seeing you!
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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