What is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. It can also help to look after the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth.
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Why should I have orthodontic treatment?
Many people have crowded or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment will straighten the teeth or move them into a better position.
This can not only improve their appearance but also the way the teeth bite together, while also making them easier to clean. |
In some patients the upper front teeth can stick out and look unsightly. These ‘prominent’ teeth are more likely to be damaged, but orthodontic treatment can move them back into line. In others, the way the upper and lower jaws meet can cause teeth to look unsightly and lead to an incorrect bite. Orthodontic treatment may be able to correct both.
When the teeth don’t meet correctly, this can put strain on the muscles of the jaw, causing jaw and joint problems and in some cases headaches. Orthodontic treatment can help you to bite more evenly and reduce the strain.
How is treatment carried out?
Orthodontic treatment can be done by many sorts of appliances, which most people know as ‘braces’.
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What is a removable appliance?
Simple treatment may be carried out with a removable appliance (a plate that can be taken out to be cleaned).
It has delicate wires and springs attached, which move the teeth using gentle pressure. |
What is a functional appliance?
It is sometimes possible to change the way the jaws grow, using orthodontic appliances. These functional appliances use the power of your jaw muscles and can help with certain types of problem.
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What is a fixed appliance?
Often, teeth need to be guided more accurately than they can be using a removable plate. So fixed appliances are used. These have brackets and bands temporarily stuck to the teeth. A flexible wire joins all the brackets and allows the teeth to be moved. It is not possible for the patient to take the appliance out and so it is called a fixed appliance. |
What are ‘invisible braces’?
They are tough, clear plastic ‘aligners’ (moulds) that are used to straighten teeth. Several sets of specially moulded, slightly different aligners are made for each patient. Each set is worn for two weeks before being replaced with the next one. They are made from clear plastic, so they are nearly invisible. This means that no one need know you are straightening your teeth.
Invisalign can help you get the great smile you've always wanted
because it's...
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Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening your teeth. So
now you can smile more during treatment as well as after.
Removable, so you can eat and drink
what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing
are no problem.
Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause mouth abrasions during
treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend
less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. |
Invisalign® also allows you to view your own virtual treatment
plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth
will look when your treatment is complete.
Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten teeth using a
series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. And it's
been proven effective in both clinical research and in practices
nationwide.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
- You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing
them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
- As you replace each aligner with the next in the series,
your teeth will move - little by little, week by week -
until they have straightened to the final position your
orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.
- You'll visit your orthodontist or dentist about once
every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing
as planned.
- Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average
number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and
30, but both will vary from case to case.
Visit the Invisalign
website to learn more.
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