| By :
Mark Etinger
A trip to the orthodontist is everyone's greatest fear, besides a routine checkup at your regular dentist. Braces are something we all dread, but with an increase in technology, braces no longer have to be a "scary ordeal" for children, teens, and adults. Invisalign is becoming a popular choice at the orthodontist and it's easy to see why. These invisible braces are a wonderful alternative to those who do not want a mouth full of metal and wires. Invisalign first came on the market in 1999 and are one of the most popular choices for teeth alignment. The clear plastic aligners fit over your teeth and will gradually move them into alignment. How do they work? When you make your first appointment with the orthodontist, he will take both photographs and impressions of your teeth. The impressions are used to create a 3D computer projection of how your teeth will shift. You will be given a set of custom aligners based on this projection. A new set of aligners will be given to the patient every four to six weeks. Typically, patients receive anywhere between 20-30 sets of aligners for both the bottom and upper teeth. Most can complete the treatment within a year, but it depends on how severe your alignment problem is. Invisalign aligners need to be in your mouth for at least 20 hours a day in order to work, but they can be taken out when eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. Over the course of treatment, your teeth will gradually shift into place. Before you set your heart on Invisalign, you must ask your orthodontist if you are a good candidate for them. Anyone with severe alignment problems or complex bite problems will not be able to use them and must opt for traditional braces. Invisalign can be used to treat overcrowed teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbites, crossbites, and mild relapses after braces. The benefits of choosing Invisalign over braces is plentiful. The most common reason for choosing them is because they are invisible. No one will ever know you are wearing them, and this is definitely a concern for teenagers and adults. Invisalign is also more comfortable than braces. A tightening can be a very uncomfortable ordeal. You are also not restricted to what you can eat since you take the aligners out. With braces, you must avoid anything chewy, crunchy, or hard because they can damage the wire braces. Talk to your orthodontist today to see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign.
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