Dental Braces / Invisalign

Dental Braces / Invisalign

There are many benefits to having straight teeth- beyond simply the benefits to your appearance; you’ll also have a better functioning and healthier mouth and looking after your teeth will be easier as well. For most people, the safest and most effective way to permanently straighten teeth involves wearing regular braces prescribed by a registered orthodontist. Braces are used to reposition the teeth so they are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to clean. They are also used to correct bad bites that can make eating or talking more difficult. Almost 80% of all braces worn today are used to align the teeth of young people under the age of 18.

However, these days, most practices are moving away from traditional braces and towards aligners. These use a series of clear plastic aligners to shift your teeth into alignment and improve your bite, rather than wires and metals. Aligners serve the same purpose as braces, however, to straighten and correct crooked teeth. Classic braces use metal and other materials to slowly tighten teeth back into place. Aligners are less visible and slower acting, but are nevertheless a very effective method to achieve the same goal. Putting them on may cause a mild ache at first, but nothing more.

However, if teeth are only slightly crooked or slightly crowded, a retainer prescribed by an orthodontist may be enough to straighten them. An orthodontist will work with the patient to find the right solution for straightening their teeth. Many general dental practitioners also perform orthodontic treatment. After treatment with braces or an aligner therapy, dentists may recommend a tooth retainer to keep treated teeth in their new location.