If you are thinking about straightening your teeth then you need to speak to your dentist and find out about the different types of braces that are available for you. Over the last few decades we have seen the introduction of many different types of braces to suit different dental needs. Once upon a time, fixed metal braces were the only type of braces for effective orthodontic treatment. They have been used successfully for over a century to correct complex orthodontic issues such as severely crooked and wonky teeth. They can be used in patients of all ages including children and adults and take approximately 12 to 24 months to create neatly aligned smiles that with the right care can last for the rest of your life.
Unfortunately, some people are reluctant to straighten their teeth with traditional metal braces because they are highly visible in the mouth. They are great at what they do however they are not very discreet. To meet these demands research and development was carried out to create different types of braces that offered better discretion. Now thanks to advances in Dental Technology there are four other types of braces that have become well established and highly popular across the world. This includes ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces and clear aligners such as Invisalign Macleod. These types of braces are much more discreet in the mouth and they are also highly effective at addressing orthodontic issues.
Invisalign Macleod
Invisalign Macleod is one of the most popular discreet orthodontic treatments across the world. Invisalign Macleod is the pioneer of clear aligners which saw more people than ever before finally straighten their teeth after years of avoiding braces. Avoiding braces not only affects the appearance of your smile but it also affects your dental health. With Invisalign you can improve the appearance of your smile and you can also improve the health of your teeth and gums. You need to speak to your dentist sooner rather than later and begin straightening your teeth. Once you do so you will regret having taken so long to begin the process.
How does Invisalign work?
Invisalign is a simple and effective method of straightening your teeth at your discretion. As mentioned it uses clear aligners to straighten your teeth which are made of medical grade thermoplastic rather than metal components as in traditional braces. These aligners are designed using the latest in digital dental technology. An intraoral scan of your mouth is taken using a small wand which captures thousands of images of the inside of your mouth to create a digital model of your teeth. Your dentist will use Invisalign’s very own software to show you how the position of your teeth can be changed with Invisalign to create a brand new smile for you. This will address all your orthodontic issues so that your teeth create a neatly aligned formation. If you like the look of what you see, your dentist can use this model to measure how each tooth needs to shift to achieve your smile transformation. Once the measurements have been calculated they are used to design a sequence of aligners each of which will push your teeth by approximately 0.25 millimetres towards the desired position and until each tooth is neatly aligned helping you to achieve a beautiful, straight smile.
Once the aligners have been designed, models of the aligners are 3D printed over which the plastic is moulded to create a sequence of aligners which fit your teeth with accuracy and precision. Each of these aligners will have a patient number so that you know that they are yours and they will be numbered in the order in which they need to be worn to avoid confusion. The aligners take a few weeks to be manufactured after which you will be invited to the dental practice for your first fitting. Most patients have small attachments fixed to some of their teeth which helps the aligners fit more securely and also apply greater pressure to move your teeth more effectively. The attachments themselves are also designed to be almost invisible and when the aligners are in your mouth they are very difficult to detect unless you wish to tell people your secret!
If you have minor orthodontic issues then you will start to notice results in as little as three months and you could straighten your teeth within six months. If you have more complex orthodontic issues then the average time is 12 to 18 months for a straighter, more beautiful smile. Speak to your dentist today to find out more.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
