Align Your Teeth With Invisible Aligners

Braces have come a long way since the day of silver brackets and wires pulling or pushing teeth and jaw back into the proper alignment. Technology in orthodontics has evolved over the years to give us many more options when it comes to braces and realigning our teeth.

Once braces are put on the teeth the amount of time that they will have to be worn varies with each individual. Depending on the reason for the braces and how well the patient follows the directions, it could be anywhere from a few months to not having them removed for many years down the road. A retainer may be necessary after the braces come off to help reinforce the teeth and strengthen the bone to tighten up around the teeth to help them hold onto their new location.

There are now other options besides the old silver bracket and wire braces. Invisible aligner is one that has become quite popular over the years. It is a series of clear tray looking devices that are formed to gently push or pull your teeth back into the proper alignment. They are removable so you can brush and floss your teeth and take them out whenever any other need arises. Your cosmetic dentist will need to take impressions of your teeth because invisible aligners are tailored to your specific teeth. The tray will need to be replaced with the next tray every few weeks.

There are also tooth colored or clear brackets that are similar to the old fashioned silver brackets. These brackets do still hold onto wires that push or pull the teeth into place, but they are almost impossible to see and a lot of people don't even notice them on your teeth. There have also been improvements in the wire construction to make the bracket type braces more comfortable and less painful for the person having to wear them.

Braces can also now be placed on the back of the teeth. This option is not as popular as the others because it can cause distortion when the person is trying to speak. This option can also result in soreness of the tongue from rubbing up against the brackets. This option really depends on what has to be done with your teeth to straighten them and whether a pushing or pulling motion would work best for your particular situation when realigning your teeth. Visit clearpathdental.com for more information about invisible braces and smile designing process.