One of the most advanced areas of dentistry is in cosmetic braces.
Cosmetic dentists are now using computer-aided technology that enables them to visualise the movement of teeth before treatment has begun.
Invisalign is probably the best known and most used brand of invisible braces.
How Invisalign Works
Moulds are taken of your teeth. These moulds are digitalised i.e. turned into information that can be stored on a computer.
This means that both you and the dentist can see a 3D image of your teeth and jaws.
This image can then be adjusted to the ‘final view’ of how you and your dentist agree your teeth should look.
The transition from how they are now to how they are going to be is then broken down into stages. Each stage is about two-weeks apart, and for each stage you have a completely new set of clear retainers (Invisalign being the brand we are talking about in this article).
When you put each new pair of braces in, they feel tight and a little uncomfortable. That is deliberate. They have to put pressure on your teeth in order to get them to move.
As you go through the course of treatment your teeth should move gradually into the new positions and, hey-presto, you have a whole new smile (and a somewhat lighter wallet).
The upper and lower jaw will usually both require adjusting so that the bite is corrected throughout the mouth. So, should you choose this type of treatment (and there may be other, cheaper alternatives), then you’ll a pair of clear retainers every fortnight.
The upper and lower jaw retainers are labelled to help prevent confusion as to which one to put where.
You will need to take good care of them by cleaning and/ or brushing gently but thoroughly (check with your dentist on what to and not to do in this respect).
