Your Sussex Invisalign® Provider
Orthodontics
A Straighter, Healthier Smile
Fixing misaligned teeth with orthodontics can help improve the appearance of your smile, making it more even and symmetrical. But crooked teeth can cause a number of oral health problems unrelated to aesthetics, so orthodontic treatment can be highly beneficial for overall health as well.
For example, having misaligned teeth can cause pain. It can contribute to jaw pain, as a result of a poor bite. It can also cause tooth and gum pain if the teeth are impacted or crowded.
Additionally, the uneven surface they create can result in more crevices where bacteria and plaque can build up. This can put you at a higher risk for cavities, partly because they can be hard to clean via brushing and flossing.
Misalignments in the teeth and jaw can even make eating difficult of awkward, and this in turn can result in poor digestion and nutrient absorption.
The goal of orthodontic treatment is the same for children, teenagers or adults – to straighten teeth so they look better and work better.
The Traditional Approach: Braces
Traditional braces, made of either metal or a combination of metal and ceramic, have been used effectively for decades to straighten teeth. In recent years, advances in orthodontic treatment have resulted in braces that are lower-profile, more comfortable and easier to care for than previous iterations.
How Braces Straighten Teeth
Braces are essentially a system of wires and brackets placed on the surfaces of the teeth. They apply continuous pressure to the teeth over a period of time, slowly moving them into their new, corrected positions.
As pressure is applied and the teeth move, the bone changes shape to accommodate the new positions of the teeth.
Invisalign Clear Aligners
During Invisalign orthodontic treatment, a series of individually customized, clear plastic aligners are used to gradually straighten your teeth.
Invisalign clear aligners offer a convenience factor – they are removable, making it possible to eat and to brush and floss just as you normally would.
In addition, their clear plastic construction makes them virtually undetectable to the casual glance. This means many people may not even notice that you're undergoing orthodontic treatment!
Similar in appearance to custom whitening trays, they are easy to insert. On the whole, Invisalign can be a great orthodontic treatment option for viable candidates!