Invisalign—It’s About More than Looks

dentalxraysAre your teeth crooked, but you’re not keen on the idea of wearing metal braces for a couple of years to correct them? Straightening your smile is about more than vanity. Crooked teeth can throw your bite off balance, leading to a host of dental problems, including excessively worn teeth and TMJ disorder (a dysfunction of your jaw’s joints that often results from malocclusion). Traditional orthodontic treatment usually produces fantastic results, but if you’re an adult, the conspicuous braces can negatively affect your confidence in your personal and professional life. If your goal is to improve your confidence in your smile, then your treatment shouldn’t achieve the opposite. At your Austin dentist’s office, you can have a straighter, more appealing smile without the use of bracket-and-wire technology through the use of Invisalign®—the clear alternative to traditional braces.

Clear for Discretion

The idea behind braces is to gently force your teeth into their correct positions with gentle force applied through arch wires that move the brackets connected to your teeth. Some orthodontic options include tooth-colored brackets and wires that blend into the teeth behind them, making them considerably less obvious than their metal counterparts. However, Invisalign clear braces reinvent the approach to tooth movement by doing away with brackets and wires, instead using a series of custom-made clear acrylic aligners. Each set of aligners is designed to guide your teeth through a prescribed phase of movement. The aligners are clear and fit snugly over your teeth, making them virtually undetectable while in place.

Removable for Convenience

Aside from the metal hardware, braces can also make everyday activities more difficult, such as eating or brushing and flossing your teeth. Invisalign’s clear aligners are removable, allowing you to continue you normal eating and hygiene routines unabated (considering your routines aren’t detrimental to your dental health). You can even temporarily remove your aligners for a special occasion to ensure your smile looks its best, so long as you ensure that you wear your aligner for the prescribed period of time each day.

About Your Austin Dentist:

Since 1985, Dr. Steven Van Wicklen has been providing expert restorative and cosmetic dentistry services to patients and families in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and all surrounding communities. To schedule your cosmetic dental consultation, call our office today at (512) 448-3131.