Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces to correct teeth alignment problems. Align Technology, Inc. is the company that manufactures Invisalign. Though the need for braces is often considered only a cosmetic issue, misalignment of the teeth can negatively impact dental health. Abnormal wear of the teeth that can be caused by misalignment can cause tooth decay.
If a person’s smile is negatively affected by teeth misalignment or gaps in the teeth, the person may suffer from psychological effects. A person who is not happy with their smile may have low self-esteem and lack self-confidence.
Invisalign can correct crowding of the teeth and gaps in between the teeth. Crossbite occurs when the upper and lower jaws do not line up correctly. Crossbite can also be corrected with Invisalign. Overbite and underbite can be corrected with Invisalign. Overbite is characterized by the upper teeth being too far over the lower jaw. An underbite caused the upper teeth to be behind the lower teeth when the person bites down.
The Invisalign method for straightening teeth and correcting other alignment problems involves a series of customized trays. Each tray is used for about two weeks before the next tray in the series is used. The trays encourage the teeth to move into proper alignment.
The customized trays, called aligners, are removable. The removability is a benefit of Invisalign over braces. The person may remove the aligner for drinking, eating, brushing, and flossing the teeth. Since Invisalign does not hinder proper dental care, it does not have the same risk of tooth discoloration that braces have.
The person may also want to remove the aligner for a special occasion or photograph. Even if the person chooses to leave the aligner in their mouth for a photograph or event, the aligner is clear. Therefore, the aligner is not very noticeable.
Braces can cause irritation of the gums especially when a wire breaks. Braces can also cause irritation of the insides of the cheeks. Invisalign has rounded edges that are designed to have a comfortable fit.
As the person progresses through the series of aligners, the improvements in the smile should become more noticeable. The Invisalign program therefor will causes a gradual improvement in the alignment of the teeth.
