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Show Your Teeth Some Respect

Think about how many times per day you rely on your teeth. You use them to chew breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You press your tongue against them to make certain sounds when you speak. There's really no doubt about it — your teeth are important, and they deserve your respect. You can pay them that respect by visiting your dentist for regular cleaning and checkup appointments. You should also call at the first sign of dental pain, tooth discoloration, or other oral health changes. Read more about dentists and dentistry here on this blog, where we dive deep into related topics.

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Show Your Teeth Some Respect

Invisalign Can Fix These Two Smile Problems

by April Myers

Have you made a decision to get orthodontic treatment for crooked teeth? Perhaps you are not privy to traditional braces and have been exploring alternatives. Invisalign is a type of orthodontic intervention that is favored by many because it straightens teeth with the use of clear aligners. The aligners are also removable which is a perk that many Invisalign wearers appreciate. You may wonder if there is an orthodontic solution such as Invisalign for you. Technological advancements have made it possible for many individuals seeking straighter teeth to get the perfect smile. The following points two common "smile issues" that many individuals can identify with and how Invisalign could help. 

Alignment

Invisalign can move teeth that have minor alignment issues. However, if teeth are severely misaligned, braces will likely be recommended. This is because the use of clear aligners is very effective, but it does not involve the forceful straightening that is exerted during the routine tightening of braces. Choosing Invisalign to treat minor alignment issues helps many individuals who want a transparent solution that allows them minimum restrictions. Individuals with braces are advised not to eat certain foods due to the risk of breaking their metal brackets. Invisalign wearers can remove their aligners when they eat, so there is no risk of damaging the aligners when enjoying seasonal or occasional favorite foods such as candy apples. 

Small Crooked Teeth

Your teeth may be small for a number of reasons. Sometimes genetics play a role in the size of teeth, but receding gum lines can also be caused by other issues such as teeth grinding. An orthodontist will carefully examine your teeth to determine if there is adequate length to fit aligners. Invisalign wearers need to have proper securing between their teeth and the aligners to achieve straightening results.

Do not assume that you cannot get straighter teeth if you have short teeth because there are other orthodontic solutions. Some individuals with short teeth may pair well with Invisalign. If your short teeth are also part of why you dislike your smile, an orthodontist might recommend a gum augmentation to further enhance your smile at the end of your orthodontic treatment. Gum augmentations involve removing small pieces of gum tissue. The end result is teeth that appear larger or a less "gummy appearing smile." Your teeth may end up appearing longer after Invisalign treatment without a need for further action. This could happen when your aligners naturally make contact with your gum line and gently push against the gum tissue during the course of your orthodontic treatment. 

An orthodontist is a good resource to use to explore the orthodontic options that match well with you based on your preferences and anatomy. They can also answer detailed questions about orthodontic solutions, help to compare orthodontic solutions,  and possibly provide an estimated treatment time. For more information about Invisalign, contact a dentist.

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