If you’re in search of a more visually appealing option to teeth straitening than the obvious metal braces choice, look no further; Invisalign is here to help. Invisalign is a series of clear, removable teeth aligners used as an alternative to traditional metal dental braces. Dr. Mehta and his select team of professionals are the leading experts in the greater Houston area for this cosmetic dentistry process.
Originally introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies, Invisalign incorporates a series of clear plastic aligners that fit comfortably over your teeth, designed to move them gradually into the desired position. On average, the treatment requires 20 to 30 aligners for both the upper and lower teeth. Compared to its teeth-straightening counterparts, this process takes far less time (usually less than one year for most adults) to see the wanted results. Today, Invisalign is a leading brand of orthodontic appliance, primarily because the removable, invisible aligners (less than one millimeter thick) are designed to be more aesthetically pleasing than conventional wire-and-bracket dental braces for treating certain types of minor misaligned tooth problems.
Although the notion of using a series of removable aligners to address occlusion, or bite, is not new, the Invisalign method is simpler than those of the past. With this process, only one set of dental impressions is needed to begin the treatment, whereas before, a series of impressions were required to determine the most favorable position of the teeth. This helps save valuable time and allows you to begin treatment sooner rather than later, which gives the optimal results at an earlier date.
The created impressions are used to show a three-dimensional computer projection of how your teeth could be moved incrementally, forming the basis for development of the custom-made aligners to accomplish the movement.
Overall, Invisalign can be used to correct several mild dental problems. If you have overly-crowded teeth and there isn’t enough room in the jaw for each to fit comfortably, this treatment is at your disposal. Also, when there is too much space between your teeth due to abnormal growth of the jaw or shifting of the teeth because some are missing, this is a viable process that will help get your teeth back on the right track. Overbite is another instance this process will benefit you without having to experience a mouth filled with metal. Even when traditional wire-and-bracket braces are removed, sometimes the teeth will wonder and relapse back to the original spot. Fortunately, the clear aligners are an easy fix to this common issue.
Call Dr. Mehta’s Houston office today to find out more about Invisalign and how it will benefit you. He and his staff look forward to speaking with you.