subject: An Alternative To Braces In West Haven And Milford, Ct [print this page] We used to consider that wearing braces was something to do before you graduated from high school. In many cases, teens were wearing braces even before they entered high school. It was an unwritten rite of passage. The one thing that I distinctly remember was that we never saw our family dentist for braces.
We went to an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dental specialist. The science of orthodontics is the use of dental technology to prevent or correct misaligned teeth and jaws. Orthodontists still have a significant role in the health care of millions of Americans, yet cosmetic dentistry offers a wonderful alternative to orthodontics.
Misaligned teeth are a health risk
Crooked teeth are more than just a cosmetic problem; crooked teeth can cause general health problems, as well as periodontal diseases. In addition to the insecurity and embarrassment that dental irregularities may cause, they can also affect a person's ability to chew and speak.
If the teeth are misaligned enough, the teeth and jaws can cause snoring, sleep apnea and other breathing problems. If the misalignment affects the patient's bite, then the stresses of chewing food and clenching of the jaw can lead to jaw and facial pain, even headaches and migraines.
Braces
The oldest and most common remedy for crooked teeth up until the last few years, had been the use of wire or metal braces, even for adult braces. Braces require a significant change of lifestyle when it comes to what one eats and drinks, and how they perform oral care and daily activities. Tenderness and soreness are common throughout the process. It seems like every time the patient gets use to wearing the braces, it is time for another adjustment to start the process all over again.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentists are not orthodontists, yet cosmetic dentists can offer an innovative alternative to braces called Invisalign. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that has FDA approval. To be succinct, Invisalign is a set of clear, removable aligners that are custom molded to aid in the straightening and repositioning of teeth.
These clear aligners progressively reposition the teeth, but they can be removed periodically for oral hygiene purposes, for special occasions, and of course eating. Patients do not experience the soreness and abrasions inside the mouth that are commonly caused by metal braces. The aligners are easy to keep clean; new adjustments mean snapping in the next set of aligners, thus saving all those visits that are necessary with braces.
How does Invisalign work?
The cosmetic dentist will use a sophisticated software program to create 3-D imaging of the mouth and teeth of the patient. Then the cosmetic dentist creates a comprehensive plan, which determines the number of aligners that are necessary for the course of therapy. The patient is allowed to preview the final positioning of their teeth before the start of treatment.
A lab creates a series of aligners to reposition the teeth over one to two years. The aligners are changed every two weeks until the patient has a straight and beautiful smile. Typically, there are appointments every six weeks to check in with the cosmetic dentist for progress reports.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
Invisalign may not be very good in cases of severe teeth misalignment. You may need to consult to your dentist if which will be the most effective option for your teeth.
Since your teeth are not bathing on your saliva, you may want to be more tedious in cleaning your teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry in New Haven and Milford, CT
If you live in the West Haven and Milford areas, you are most fortunate in that one of the more experienced cosmetic dentists practices here.
