Bellevue Dentist
Invisalign “invisible braces”- an idea whose time has come
Good candidates for this new system are adults who have slight to moderate spacing or crowding of their teeth. Teeth with spacing have gaps between them, and teeth with crowding overlap each other.
You may have heard the buzz from your bellevue dentist or seattle dentist about a new type of “invisible braces” called Invisalign, and wondered what it’s all about. The Invisalign system is a series of clear, thin, customized mouthgaurds that fit over the teeth, progressively straightening them. This system, which debuted in the beginning of 2000, is an effective alterative to metal braces when used in the appropriate situation. The main benefits of the Invisalign system are greatly improved appearance and comfort. The Invisalign mouthgaurds are removed during eating, and when brushing and flossing. This may reduce the risk of both cavities and gum disease when compared to traditional braces that often trap food and plaque. Despite these advantages, there are some drawbacks. The system costs between 25-50% more than metal braces, and if you sometimes forget to wear the mouthgaurds, the results will take longer to achieve.
The first step in the process is scheduling an appointment with a seattle dentist who has been certified in the Invisalign system. Good candidates for this new system are adults who have slight to moderate spacing or crowding of their teeth. Teeth with spacing have gaps between them, and teeth with crowding overlap each other. If the orthodontist decides that you can receive the Invisalign system, he or she takes impressions (molds) of your mouth, writes up a detailed set of instructions, and then sends them to a high tech lab. In the planning stage of process, the lab will send the orthodontist a preview or prototype over the Internet of how the appliances will be made. The lab then uses the information to make a series of clear mouthgaurds that they call “aligners”. Depending on the situation, 12 to 48 aligners will be needed. As part of treatment, the orthodontist may need to shape the teeth, but only one impression is usually taken, and only one visit every six weeks is required. In certain situations, teeth that are not initially good candidates for the Invisalign system may benefit from wearing metal braces for several months, and then switching to the more comfortable and appealing Invisalign system afterwards.
Many orthodontists have begun to embrace this new system as a viable substitute for braces in the right situation. Dr. Ali Husain, an orthodontist practicing in Delaware, puts it this way, “Invisalign has created a wonderful alternative for people who want straight teeth and a beautiful smile without ever having to wear metal braces.”
Invisalign “invisible” braces- not just for adults anymore
Using special computer software, orthodontists, seattle dentists and computer technicians work together to virtually “move” a patient’s teeth into proper alignment.
By now I’m sure that many of you have heard about a new trend in orthodontics called Invisalign. The Invisalign system is a series of clear, thin, customized mouthguards called “aligners” that are constructed in a unique fashion. An impression or “mold” of your teeth is sent to Align Technology, a company located in California. Align Technology uses a sophisticated laser scanner to create an accurate 3-dimensional image of a patient’s teeth. Using special computer software, orthodontists and computer technicians work together to virtually “move” a patient’s teeth into proper alignment. These step-by-step movements are then used to create a series of virtually invisible plastic aligners. The aligners are worn by the patient day and night, but are removed when eating and when brushing and flossing. The number of aligners that are worn to straighten a person’s teeth will vary depending on each individual’s needs. An interesting aspect of the aligner design is that all tooth movement is usually accomplished from the first impression. As part of treatment, the orthodontist may also need to shape the teeth, and only one visit every four to six weeks is required.
In contrast, treatment with conventional braces requires metal brackets that are fastened to the fronts and outer sides of the teeth, and a wire is connected through the brackets. Tooth movement occurs by a series of complex biomechanical mechanisms. The wire exerts slow, but deliberate forces on the teeth, safely moving them through the jawbone. Over a typical course of treatment from a seattle dentist, eighteen to twenty-four months, thicker wires are used to continue moving the teeth, and prevent them from drifting back to their prior positions.
What most parents want to know is, “when should I take my child to the orthodontist?” and “does my child need braces?” Although most children who may require braces are advised by their general dentist to be seen by an orthodontist between the ages of eleven and thirteen (when most or all of their baby teeth have been lost), the American Association of Orthodontists suggests that an orthodontist evaluate all children no later than age seven.
The Invisalign technique, which is approximately 4 1/2 years old is gaining more widespread acceptance. “Initially, Invisalign was recommended for adult treatment only” said Dr. , an experienced Invisalign bellevue dentist practicing in NE Philadelphia and Southampton. “With increased use, orthodontists have found that we can now treat many more people with Invisalign, and even teens can benefit from the invisible appearance and greater comfort that Invisalign has over conventional metal braces.”