Having to visit a dentist to have a set of “scaffolding” fitted three or four decades ago was an event that was not enjoyed by anyone looking to improve their smile. No one had much of an alternative in those days if they had misaligned teeth, but Invisalign has changed all that with a far more comfortable and efficient procedure. Read on to find out more.
Not an uncommon problem
Misaligned teeth are not an uncommon problem, and the more targeted approach these days means that there is now a variety of appliances that can be used to correct different problems. Even the original metal brace often referred to as “scaffolding” has undergone radical changes to make it more comfortable and efficient.
Not only a procedure for cosmetic benefit
Correcting a dental misalignment problem has practical as well as cosmetic benefits. If a patient cannot bite correctly because their teeth do not meet properly, this can cause a multitude of problems. Not being able to chew properly could mean a change of diet or possible gastric problems. Painful or clicking jaws can be irritating and may result in not wanting to eat regularly. Speech impediments, uneven dental wear, malocclusions and difficulty breathing are a few more of the many problems that can occur.
Technology producing many treatments options
Technology combined with dental science has fortunately created a number of new effective appliances to help correct misaligned dental issues. The hardware and software that are used by dentists today help to produce amazing results. Braces now come in many guises, the much-improved metal brace, ceramic braces, which are a better match to natural teeth colour, and clear braces. There are self-ligating braces, which are similar in appearance to metal and ceramic braces but use a sliding mechanism instead of wires and bands. There is even a brace that can be fitted behind the patient's teeth called lingual braces. The latest addition to these appliances is the dental aligner, and Invisalign Dublin is a dental aligner. Invisalign aligners look more like a clear gum shield, and they fit over the teeth just like a gumshield. Gone are the blocks, wires and bands that have been used for decades with braces.
What is different about Invisalign
Invisalign brings with it not only an advanced dental misalignment treatment but also a plethora of incredible software and hardware. The patented iTero scanner provides up to six thousand virtual images per second in 3D, which allows your dentist to obtain a clear and accurate view of the interior of your mouth. The system also allows your dentist to show you what the final result will look like before the treatment even begins.
Communication is quick
Sending images online to the laboratory speeds up the whole procedure and allows the laboratory to provide accurate aligners quickly and efficiently.
How does the treatment work?
Your aligners are made from a clear dental material, and each aligner is created specifically to correct your particular condition. The Invisalign aligner can fit over your teeth in the same way that a gum shield would. Each aligner must be worn for an average of 3 to 4 weeks for a minimum of 22 hours per day. They can be removed before you eat or clean your teeth. Each aligner has a slightly different orientation to move your teeth gradually to achieve the correct bite.
Final aligner
Treatment duration depends on the patient's particular condition and can be anywhere from one to two years. At the end of the treatment, a final aligner needs to be worn to allow your teeth to settle into their new locations. The result will be a confident, radiant smile and the ability to chew your food properly, eliminating the damage that misaligned teeth can cause.
