Crooked teeth are an oral health issue that’s more than just cosmetic. Fixing crooked teeth can help your overall oral health. At Foxhall Smiles, we provide Invisalign treatment to help fix a crooked smile. Dr. Joseph Catanzano, a cosmetic dentist in Washington DC, discusses why Invisalign is a great choice.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of clear plastic aligners as an alternative to braces. Instead of using brackets and wires that are slowly tightened to shift the teeth into place, the plastic aligners are changed about every two weeks to slowly shift your teeth. Each aligner is slightly different than the last to shift your teeth into place.
Why Choose Invisalign?
Invisalign is a suitable treatment for mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. It’s become more popular over the traditional method of braces. Typically, the treatment time is shorter with Invisalign over braces. Because the aligners are clear, they’re designed to be almost invisible. It can be hard to tell that you’re even wearing anything.
It’s easier to do your normal oral healthcare routine with Invisalign, too. The aligners need to be worn for around 22 hours a day, but you’re able to take them out to eat, brush, and floss. You don’t need to learn how to clean around brackets and wires. Plaque and tartar buildup won’t occur around those brackets and other hard to reach places.
Because you can take them out, you don’t have to worry about making any changes to your diet. Things like popcorn and chewy foods are off-limits if you have a mouthful of traditional braces. It’s super easy to pop them out and then pop them back in again when you’re done eating. Cleaning the aligners every day can make sure they stay fresh.
Lastly, Invisalign aligners don’t irritate soft tissue as braces can. Wires and brackets usually require wax to avoid digging into the inside of lips and cheeks. The aligners are specifically molded off of your smile, so they fit your teeth perfectly. The plastic that the aligners are made out of is designed to be thin and comfortable, while still being extremely durable.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
Some people may think that straightening crooked teeth is solely a cosmetic choice. If they don’t care how the teeth look, then they don’t need to straighten them. However, crooked teeth are more than a cosmetic problem. They’re often cramped and pressed together at odd angles, making it harder for you to clean the full surface of each tooth.
Having crooked teeth can cause bite problems as well. The pressure of a bite is evenly distributed with jaws full of teeth that line up the way they’re supposed to. If this is off, it can lead to uneven bite distribution and cause damage to your teeth. Bite problems can also cause issues with TMJ disorders, impacting the way your jaw joint works and causing pain and pressure in the face.
Invisalign at Your Washington DC Cosmetic Dentist
Think Invisalign will work for your crooked teeth? Call us or schedule an appointment online.