Unlike traditional methods of straightening your teeth, the innovative technology of Invisalign allows orthodontic patients to obtain a beautiful smile without all the hassles. Invisalign straightens your teeth and aligns your jaw with very little impact on your daily lifestyle. This type of orthodontic treatment offers advantages that other treatments cannot.
Appearance
One of the most obvious benefits of Invisalign is the fact that there are no wires or permanent appliances in your mouth. Instead, a series of removable clear aligners are worn over your teeth that are virtually invisible. You will not attract unwanted attention to your mouth when wearing Invisalign.
Comfort
The aligning trays are customized for your mouth, and progressively straighten your teeth without the need for unpleasant metal brackets and wires. Invisalign provides a relatively comfortable way to straighten your teeth without the irritation of traditional braces.
Removable
The fact that the aligners are removable is an appealing benefit. This allows you to remove them for important occasions like events or pictures. Keep in mind that the trays should be worn as much as your orthodontist advises for ideal treatment, but removing the appliances for certain occasions is possible.
No food restrictions
There are no restrictions about the kinds of food you may eat during treatment. You can still enjoy your favorite foods without risk of breaking wires or getting food particles lodged in your braces.
Oral care
Taking care of your teeth and gums is easy with Invisalign. You simply take out the aligners to brush and floss as usual. Also, there is no worry about food becoming caught in your braces. This helps alleviate the concerns of excessive tooth decay, bad breath, and other dental hygiene issues.
Invisalign dentist in Sherman Oaks, CA – schedule an appointment today with an Orthodontist for your Invisalign.
Achieving perfect teeth so that you have a beautiful smile is a goal for many people. But straightening your teeth also brings benefits in addition to an attractive appearance. Straight teeth can reduce your risks for tooth and gum problems. The inability for you, or even your dentist, to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums can increase your risk of developing gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Problems
- Overcrowding – teeth that are too close together are hard to clean, which leads to accumulation of plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria.
- Malocclusion – teeth that aren’t aligned correctly are referred to as malocclusion. Sometimes this means that teeth hit each other improperly when they bite together, which may cause wear or chipping. With time, damaged teeth can expose the bottom tooth layer called dentin. This creates sensitivity and promotes decay.
- Traumatic occlusion – injury to parts of the mouth can result from closing the jaw repeatedly and with excessive force. It can cause undesired spaces to develop between the teeth, which leads to food buildup and tender gums. If not removed completely, tooth decay will occur.
Solutions
Attempting to create a straight smile with restorations like veneers or crowns may not be the best choice, because they don’t address the underlying problem. Your dentist may suggest straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment. This may involve traditional braces, Invisalign, retainers, appliances, or a combination of treatments. The goal is to correct your teeth so that it becomes easier to maintain good dental hygiene, and therefore lower your risk of gum disease or tooth decay.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks, CA
Sure, you get braces because you want a pretty smile full of straight teeth. There’s more to orthodontic treatment than merely your appearance though. Successful treatment can improve the health of your mouth, making it more likely that your teeth and gums will reap the benefits of braces for many years to come. What are some of the main reasons to seek orthodontic treatment besides just straight teeth?
Improper alignment
When teeth don’t line up with one another properly, it’s called malocclusion. Uncorrected malocclusion can cause your teeth to wear inappropriately with time. It can also damage the muscles that support your jaw, causing pain and stress. Misaligned teeth may cause bone loss, and eventually tooth loss as well.
Overbite
An overbite occurs when your upper teeth overlap your lower teeth, sometimes even causing you to bite into your palate. This causes excessive wear on your bottom teeth, which can even chip and require dental repair.
Teeth spacing
It is difficult to properly clean crooked or overlapping teeth, which often leads to tooth decay and cavities. It also promotes gum disease when you can’t thoroughly clean between your teeth and gums. Gum disease is linked to receding gums and bone loss, plus the loss of teeth in advanced stages.
Tooth function
Orthodontic treatment can correct the way your teeth function. The wear patterns of your teeth can be improved, and jaw pain may be relieved when your teeth work together appropriately. Corrected tooth function can aid the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Sherman Oak Orthodontics
Just because you’re an adult, it doesn’t mean that you have to continue through life being unhappy with your smile. Many grownups today are taking the plunge into orthodontic treatment, but not in the traditional way you might think. Invisalign is an option that many adults choose to straighten their teeth, but without impacting their appearance or self-esteem while undergoing treatment. Read on to see if Invisalign might be just what you need.
How does Invisalign work?
This method involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners to move your teeth. The removable aligners are worn for a total of one to two years, with your orthodontist monitoring your progress and determining when to change to a new aligner during the process. Invisalign gradually shifts your teeth so that they align perfectly.
Will others be able to tell I’m doing it?
One of the greatest advantages of Invisalign is that others don’t even have to know you’re wearing the aligners. The small invisible trays fit over the tops of your teeth, and are often hard to see. They also do not affect your ability to speak or eat. This means that you can continue your normal routine of business meetings and socializing without feeling embarrassed about a mouth full of braces. Many adults appreciate the idea that others do not even realize they are undergoing orthodontic treatment. You even have the option of removing the Invisalign trays for an important meeting or special event.
Is there special care required?
Another key benefit of Invisalign is that no special care is needed. You take the trays in and out of your mouth as desired, so you can brush your teeth normally. There are no issues with trying to clean your teeth around metal wires and brackets. Also, you are able to eat whatever you like because there is no danger of damaging your braces. These are all reasons that Invisalign is not just appealing to young people, but a fantastic solution for teeth straightening in adults.
Sherman Oaks invisalign dentist
For many people, enjoying the warm weather involves touch football, bike riding, or other summer activities. While it’s great to have a good time, you need to preserve your smile as you participate in the fun. Approximately 40 percent of all sports injuries involve the face. Wearing a mouth guard can ensure that you don’t hurt your teeth and gums if an accident occurs. In fact, a mouth guard can reduce the risk of concussion by 50 percent.
Who needs a mouth guard?
Anyone who is involved in sports that could result in contact should purchase a mouth guard, including soccer, hockey, football, and basketball. Even non-contact activities such as skateboarding, horseback riding, and mountain biking could result in injury to your face or mouth, so you may want to consider a mouth guard as well.
Can adults wear mouth guards?
Absolutely. Whether you play on the community softball team or just like to throw the football with the neighbors, you are never too old to protect your smile.
What are the options for a mouth guard?
If you decide to look into getting a mouth guard, you have several choices. Inexpensive and available at any sporting goods store, pre-made mouth guards can be bulky and may not fit correctly. Boil-and-bite mouth guards are designed to conform to your teeth after you place them in scalding, hot water. Most dentists and orthodontists recommend custom mouth guards, which are created from molds of your mouth. Custom mouth guards offer the best protection.
Can I wear a mouth guard with braces?
Yes. During orthodontic treatment, you still need to worry about your mouth if you play sports. Because of the braces, you will need to wear a non-fitted mouth guard so that the appliance doesn’t damage your orthodontia.
Mouth guard for braces – Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
Approximately 10 percent of adults clench or grind their teeth. Symptoms of clenching and grinding, also called bruxism, include headaches, jaw pain, and cracks in teeth. If you or a family member grinds your teeth, you can cause serious damage and discomfort.
These facts about bruxism will help you learn more about this condition:
You can hurt more than just your teeth
Most of the time, clenching and grinding is mild. In more severe cases, you can aggravate the jaw joints and cause TMJ-like symptoms. Mention any concerns you have to your orthodontist or dentist so that you can get proper treatment.
Bruxism and stress are connected
Feeling anxious or frustrated may contribute to bruxism. Currently, no one has identified all the factors that make people grind or clench their teeth. Certain competitive behaviors or personality types may increase the chance of teeth grinding.
It can happen at any age
Though you may not have issues with bruxism, you could develop them at any point in your life. In fact, children typically grind their teeth more than adults. Usually, they out grow bruxism by adolescence.
You may not realize you have an issue
Because bruxism often occurs while you sleep, many people don’t realize a problem exists. Earaches, headaches, unexplained facial pain, or tenderness around the jaw joints could indicate issues with clenching and grinding.
Treatment is available
Often, bruxism is mild enough that you don’t need treatment. If you do need therapy, your orthodontist or dentist can fit you for a mouth guard, a plastic appliance that covers teeth and eliminates damage from bruxism.
Dr. Fotovat is an Orthodontist in Sherman Oaks CA
