Not everyone is born with perfectly aligned teeth. Adults can find themselves wishing their smiles had been corrected when they were younger. But for whatever reason, they entered the adult world with teeth that are crooked or misaligned, and wish that their smiles could be better. The traditional approach would be braces, but they don’t want a mouth full of metal. Teens share this aversion to braces and, luckily, both teens and adults now have a much more attractive option.
Advances in orthodontia come to the rescue for those who do not want to be fitted for traditional metal braces. Orthodontia patients in Texas who want straighter teeth should learn more about the option of Invisalign in Fort Worth. Invisalign is a new alternative to traditional braces. These transparent aligners snap onto teeth, incrementally moving them into alignment. Since they are transparent and have no metal parts, people cannot easily see that someone is wearing these aligners. 3-D computer technology has made this advancement in orthodontia possible. A series of aligners are custom created for each patient. Each aligner is used for a span of six to eight weeks as teeth are moved into alignment.
Traditional braces require the patient to say no to certain types of foods that could get stuck between the metal parts and the braces or make the teeth very difficult to clean, but not with Invisalign. The aligners are removed before eating, so no food is off limits, and the aligners are also taken out before normal brushing and flossing is performed. Keeping the aligners clean is also hassle-free. Simply brush them with toothpaste and rinse with water to keep them clean and fresh.
Patients often ask how long they will have to use the Invisalign aligners. The orthodontist will create a treatment plan for each patient, but aligners are usually used for 6 to 18 months. The aligners should be worn for at least 22 hours a day and only be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. After treatment is complete, a retainer will be used at night to keep the teeth in position. Switching from one aligner to the next can typically cause some discomfort for a couple of days, but then ceases to be an issue. Patients considering Invisalign in Fort Worth, Texas should contact Birth and Stewart Orthodontics of Fort Worth for more information about the Invisalign teeth straightening system.
