Invisalign® FAQs
Woodland, CA
 Crooked or misaligned teeth is one of the most common dental problems in children and adults. Several environmental factors or genetic conditions can lead to the occurrence of crooked teeth. Babies that have a habit of thumb sucking or falling asleep while the pacifier or milk bottle is still in their mouth are more prone to crooked teeth.
People who have smaller jawbones are also more susceptible to crooked teeth because the space on their dental arches is limited and cannot accommodate all of the teeth. Some genetic disorders like hyperdontia result in the growth and development of extra teeth, and this too can cause overcrowding of teeth in the mouth. The extra teeth push the permanent teeth out of alignment leading to the overlapping of teeth.
Misaligned and crooked teeth don’t just look bad, but they also cause great difficulty while eating, brushing teeth, and speaking. People who have crooked or overlapping teeth are not able to bite and chew their food properly. It also becomes hard to clean the overlapping teeth because the bristles of the toothbrush cannot pass in between the teeth and remove bacteria and food debris from the site. Moreover, because of the overcrowding of teeth, the person is unable to pronounce certain sounds, and that leads to speech difficulty.
To correct such misalignments, dentists recommend wearing traditional braces for at least one to two years. Although traditional braces are found to be extremely effective for treating mild to moderate misalignments or malocclusions (bad bites), they can be unsightly and have an adverse effect on the person’s appearance and self-esteem. For aesthetic purposes and to make wearing braces an invisible experience, a Stanford graduate named Zia Chishti invented Invisalign. Invisalign can rightly be called invisible and removable braces that are very effective for straightening teeth secretly.
Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?
The ideal candidate for Invisalign is a person who has crooked or misaligned teeth and has been recommended to wear braces to correct these misalignments. Anyone who is hesitant to wear traditional braces is conscious about his or her looks, and is looking for a removable option for correcting misaligned teeth should consider getting customized Invisalign.
The ideal candidate should be a non-smoker and should maintain overall good oral health and hygiene.
It is to be noted that Invisalign only works well for people who have mild to moderately crooked teeth as it exerts less pressure on the teeth as compared to traditional braces.
Braces vs. Invisalign
Traditional braces are made of metal wires that are tied around the teeth and held in place with the help of metal brackets that are attached to the teeth with the help of dental adhesives. The main problem that wearers of dental braces encounter is the fact that traditional braces are quite visible and can look unsightly, especially when the person smiles. Although effective for treating crooked teeth, traditional braces can make a person very conscious about their appearance and diminish their confidence level. Moreover, traditional braces are non-removable and must be worn all the time for at least a year or two.
Unlike traditional braces, the custom trays of clear plastic, known as Invisalign, were invented especially to improve the appearance of braces and retainers. These custom-made teeth correctors allow you to treat your misaligned teeth secretly. These invisible braces are removable and can be kept inside their case while you eat, brush your teeth, or sleep during the night. The only problem with Invisalign trays is that they will need to be replaced every two weeks.
Benefits of Invisalign
The benefits of Invisalign are as follows:
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Invisible tray of braces that exert gradual pressure on teeth
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Custom-made to fit perfectly on your teeth
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Made from clear plastic and are more comfortable than traditional braces
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Removable (can be removed while eating, brushing, and sleeping)
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Easy to clean and maintain
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Restores your beautiful smile
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Nobody will know that you are wearing braces, improve your appearance
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Effective for straightening slight to moderate misalignments |
If you are interested in learning more about Invisalign, contact our office (530) 206-9211 to book a consultation appointment.
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