How do you feel about your smile’s alignment? For some, crooked and crowded teeth can be a source of embarrassment, not to mention a major cause of poor oral health. In order to help our patients in Newhall, CA, enjoy healthy, attractive smiles, we often correct misalignment with clear aligners. Why do we need to correct misalignment, and how does the Invisalign® system help?
The Causes of Poor Alignment
Why do our teeth become poorly aligned? A number of factors can impact our smile’s alignment, such as the premature loss of baby teeth due to injury or cavities, issues with the size of the jaw or the eruption of the teeth, thumb sucking in childhood, and for some, the inability for baby teeth to fall out on schedule. As part of your treatment, we will need to carefully examine your smile and assess the factors behind your misalignment. From there, we will be able to recommend the best solution, which could include clear Invisalign® aligners.
Long-Term Impacts
How does misalignment impact our smiles? For many, uneven teeth make thorough brushing and flossing difficult, enabling food particles to remain lodged between the teeth and broken down by bacteria. Over time, this increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as the teeth become coated in plaque, weakening tooth enamel and inflaming gum tissue. As patients enter their teen and adult years, misalignment could become a source of embarrassment and have negative impacts on social interactions. For others, poor alignment could place pressure on the jaw joints and upset bit balance, leading to a greater risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). These jaw joint disorders could become a source of headaches, jaw pain, or even damaged teeth in some cases.
A Cosmetic Treatment Option with Invisalign®
We don’t necessarily have to resort to metal braces for all of our patients. For some, we may be able to take detailed impressions of their smile, using the images and information to design and fabricate a series of aligners from a clear, BPA-free acrylic material. A set of aligners will be worn daily for between 20 and 22 hours. Patients upgrade to the next set about once every two weeks, and optimal results could be available as soon as one year. For added convenience, the aligners can be removed before you eat or prior to brushing and flossing your teeth. If you have any questions about correcting your smile with clear and comfortable Invisalign® aligners, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Missing Teeth?
For patients with crooked or crowded teeth, our team can offer a custom-made and comfortable treatment option. To learn more about clear aligners schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.