Having straight teeth is a goal from young people through mature adults, and achieving a great smile without having to wear braces is a wonderful benefit. Awkward moments of a mouth full of metal, food particles stuck in your smile, and painful wires poking your cheeks are all erased. How do you make this happen? The answer is Invisalign.
Invisalign is an orthodontic solution that involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners that fit right onto your teeth, and move them using slow pressure. They are nearly invisible and can be removed at any time, allowing you to follow your usual eating and hygiene routines.
The first step is taking impressions of your teeth and making a digital 3-D image so that an exact treatment plan can be created. You will be able to see how your teeth should look at each treatment stage. Your customized aligners will be made in a lab so that they fit comfortably yet do their job.
You will need to wear your aligners during the day and while you sleep, but remove them for eating and hygiene. You can even remove them for special occasions, as long as you strive to wear the aligners 22 hours each day. Roughly every two weeks, you will change to a new set of aligners that will advance you to the next stage of treatment. You will see your dentist about every six weeks for checkups.
Invisalign treatment lasts about a year for adults and about two years for teens. Your progress will be visible throughout treatment, motivating you to continue wearing them to transform your smile. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll have beautiful straight teeth and very few complaints about your orthodontic experience.
Invisalign dentist in Sherman Oaks CA
Parents, teens, and adults all may wonder if braces are really necessary. Sometimes it’s obvious that orthodontics would benefit the patient, and in other cases it’s not so clear. Braces really are something that each individual or family must decide whether to pursue, of course with input from an orthodontist. However, there are some circumstances where braces are usually the ideal solution.
The main goal of treatment is to not only improve the patient’s appearance, but also to obtain a healthy bite. Every person’s mouth is different, which means treatment will vary and so will the results. That’s a good thing though, because everyone wants their own individual smile.
Aside from the cosmetic benefits that wearing braces will provide, there are some important reasons that some people will medically benefit from treatment. Problems in the way teeth are aligned can cause serious dental issues, which can worsen over time. If a patient’s teeth has slight crowding or gaps, these are the cases that may or may not need braces depending on the person’s desires. More serious cases are when the upper or lower jaw is out of alignment, and braces can really be important.
When the lower or upper jaw protrudes forward, a number of problems can result. These may include jaw pain, tooth decay, gum disease, speech impediments, teeth grinding or clenching, or difficulty eating and chewing. Patients may not even realize these types of issues can be linked to jaw misalignment. By moving the patient’s jaws and teeth through the use of braces, an orthodontist can help reduce or eliminate these types of problems that patients experience.
There isn’t always a definite answer, just as all patients have varying opinions about treatment. The key is to work together with an orthodontist, express goals, and agree upon a customized plan for treatment.
If you need braces in Sherman Oaks, contact our office to schedule an appointment.
For many people, the idea of wearing braces is daunting. They have the reputation of being unsightly, uncomfortable, and generally a hassle. The good news is that advancements in technology give patients a reason to smile with an innovative orthodontic treatment called Invisalign.
Invisalign is a series of clear plastic aligners that painlessly move your teeth into the correct position. The aligners are custom-made for each patient by taking a mouth mold. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks, and then the patient changes to a different aligner. The series of aligners slowly moves the teeth until they are exactly where they should be. The length of treatment is usually only about one year, a shorter period of time than most patients were traditional braces.
Of course the timeframe and success of Invisalign depends on the amount of correction needed and how consistently the patient wears the aligners. This is because, unlike regular braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed to eat, drink, and perform oral hygiene tasks. For the best results, patients should wear the aligners 22 hours a day. The more a patient wears the aligners, the faster treatment progresses.
Another great advantage of Invisalign is that patients can continue eating the foods they enjoy. Since the aligners are removable, there are no diet restrictions that keep certain foods off limits. Also, it is easier to keep the teeth clean because brushing and flossing are done without the aligners.
During treatment, patients visit the dentist once a month for checkups. Traditional braces patients dread these types of appointments because that means a painful adjustment, but Invisalign checkups are merely for monitoring progress. In the end, patients obtain a great smile without the pain or embarrassment associated with braces.
See an orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA for Invisalign
It can be uncomfortable after getting braces for the first time or after adjustments. Whenever you experience soreness, there are some things you can do to help ease your discomfort.
Soft foods
Eat foods that are soft, like bananas, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and soup. Avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods until the pain subsides and you can reintroduce those items.
Cold drinks
Drink beverages that are chilled as cold as you can enjoy, because it can soothe aching gums and nerves. Cold drinks can give your mouth a bit of a numb feeling. Popsicles and ice cream are other good choices to freeze your mouth a bit.
Dental wax
Your orthodontist will provide you with wax designed to help eliminate friction between your braces and mouth, which can cause painful cuts or sores. If you develop an irritated area, roll a small bit of wax into a ball and place it on the wire or bracket that is bothering you. This gives your mouth time to heal and form a callus that protects that area.
Oral anesthetic
Try using an over-the-counter anesthetic such as Orajel to temporarily relieve your discomfort. Ask your orthodontist before you apply medication, and follow the packaging directions.
Salt water
An effective remedy that helps relieve soreness is rinsing with salt water. Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, stir it until it dissolves, and then rinse with this mixture a few times a day.
Pain relievers
Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help with the pain of braces. Ibuprofen also reduces inflammation, which can be an added bonus. Follow the package directions for taking any medications.
Dr. Fotovat is an orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
It’s never too late to correct bothersome or unappealing problems with your smile. Adult braces are becoming more and more popular, especially as options are available that are not as noticeable as traditional braces. Two choices that many adults select between are clear braces and Invisalign. Here is a comparison of these two options that adults tend to choose when taking the plunge into orthodontic work.
Clear braces
This type of braces is practically invisible in your mouth. Comprised of clear materials and modern wires, they are not noticeable when you smile. They also move teeth quickly and effectively. Clear braces provide a faster treatment than the option of invisible aligning trays. There are no speech impediments and some say they are easier to maintain than metal braces, since you can see where food particles are hiding and clean them away. You do need to steer clear of things known to stain teeth, such as coffee and smoking, while wearing clear braces because they can become discolored.
Invisalign
Clear aligning trays make up the other option called Invisalign. The trays are custom-made for your mouth, which makes them comfortable. They are also more comfortable than traditional braces because there aren’t any metal wires or brackets that tend to irritate your gums and mouth tissues. The clear trays are nearly invisible, and others may not even notice you’re wearing Invisalign. One of the biggest benefits of this orthodontic choice is that the trays are removable for eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and even special occasions. They are easy to clean and you are able to maintain your regular dental hygiene routine.
Whichever choice you make for adult braces, the good news is that both of these options successfully straighten your teeth and improve your smile. Consult an orthodontist to see which of these choices might work best for you.
If you live in the Sherman Oaks area, visit our office to learn more about Invisalign.
It doesn’t happen very often, but major orthodontic emergencies require immediate treatment. As opposed to minor issues that can be handled yourself or at your next appointment, emergencies should be treated by a professional. Here are some ways to help you tell the difference between types of problems.
Serious injury
See a dentist or doctor immediately if your teeth, mouth, or jaw is directly injured. An X-ray might be required to correctly diagnose and treat your injury. If orthodontic appliances are affected, they may need adjustment or replacement.
Infection
Teeth sometimes become infected after orthodontic work. If pain or swelling occurs near a tooth and worsens, seek professional treatment as soon as you can.
Minor problems
Some issues arise due to normal usage, wear, and movement of your braces. Sticky or hard foods can contribute to or worsen the problems, as can overly vigorous dental hygiene tasks. These issues are usually not emergencies unless accompanied by severe or prolonged pain. Here are some common minor problems:
• Loose wire
• Poking wire
• Loose bracket
• Loose appliance
• Loose elastic band
• Broken or missing elastic band
• Ill-fitting headgear
• General discomfort or soreness
Remedies
There are some remedies you can try at home to lessen your discomfort due to a minor issue until you see your orthodontist. Cover a loose wire or bracket with wax. Adjust a poking or protruding wire with clean tweezers or a cotton swab, or try clipping it gently with nail clippers. Remaining wire ends can be covered with wax. If your mouth is sore or you have areas of irritation, rinse with a saltwater mixture.
Orthodontist for emergencies in Sherman Oaks CA.
