A thousand words will not be able to say, with the same effect, what one simple smile can convey. Going on a date and not smiling can destroy the atmosphere and any chance of making a meaningful connection. Imagine going for a job interview and being too self-conscious to smile; that could ruin any chance of getting the job. There are many other occasions when a smile will go a long way. Many people are too embarrassed to smile because they suffer from a condition called malocclusion; simply put, it means their teeth do not line up for several reasons. Misaligned teeth used to require a cumbersome metal brace to be gradually aligned. A variety of new dental braces have been developed over the decades, and one, in particular, brings with it a lot of hi-tech. Dental braces have evolved over the decades, but continue to work on the same principle of fixing blocks to the front or back of the teeth and using wires and bands to gradually move the teeth into an aligned position. Several years ago, a different method was introduced, and it involves the use of aligners, which resemble gum shields; this also gradually moves the teeth to an aligned position but without blocks, wires and bands. A team of internationally trained dentists have been using Invisalign in Plymouth to put confident, broad smiles on the faces of patients in the community for almost a decade.
Getting your bite right
The importance of having the correct bite cannot be emphasized enough. Teeth are designed to help us masticate our food into manageable sizes so that our stomachs can digest what we eat; failure to achieve this can result in stomach problems. In addition, misaligned teeth can cause tooth decay and gum disease by creating pockets between the teeth and gums; this can allow bacteria to develop and cause other medical conditions such as pneumonia and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, from a practical point of view, conditions that cause dental misalignment must be treated as early as possible.
Dental misalignment can be hereditary or caused by childhood habits. Conditions such as overbites, under bites, cross bites and overcrowded teeth can all be hereditary; however, a few conditions can occur due to thumb-sucking or the prolonged use of a baby bottle. All of these conditions can be corrected by using an aligner.
Inconspicuous
Because this aligner fits over the teeth and is made from a clear dental material, it is inconspicuous, which makes it great for children and adults alike. Using some very clever hi-tech equipment, it is possible to produce an image of how the aligned teeth will look after treatment. The result is worth the time. A series of aligners is required, and each aligner will be carefully designed using computer technology. Each aligner has a slightly different orientation to achieve the desired results. Treatment can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the condition being treated. Each aligner must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day but can be removed to allow for brushing, flossing, eating and drinking. Each aligner must be worn for between three and four weeks, and once the final aligner has done its job, a retainer must be worn to hold the teeth in their new positions. After a few weeks, the retainer can be removed, which will release that broad, confident smile that has been waiting to be shown to the world.
