What Is Invisalign®️?

It is a type of dental aligner in orthodontic dentistry for straightening malpositioned teeth. Invisalign®️ feature clear plastic-like materials that make for a virtual invisible oral aligner for repositioning teeth.

Dental experts came up with Invisalign aligners to serve as alternatives to metal braces which are typically very conspicuous. As such, adults are likely to lean more toward Invisalign braces than metal braces for their orthodontic treatment.

Why Do Adults Require Orthodontic Treatment?

Many adults need orthodontic treatment more than they imagine. Usually, aging has various consequences to your smile that will impact the aesthetics thereof. Part of needing orthodontic treatment as an adult is to preserve the appearance of your smile while overcoming the consequences of aging.

Besides, with Invisalign braces, you do not have to compromise the aesthetics of your smile while you undergo treatment. The virtually invisible aligners allow you to flaunt your smile throughout your treatment while keeping it anonymous.

The Common Changes In Teeth As You Age

The older you get, the more the density of your jawbone reduces. The reduction causes the jaw to shrink, leading to a disparity between the size of your jawbone and your teeth.

The notable changes in the size of your jawbone and teeth will, in turn, cause various changes in your smile, including large spaces between teeth, crowding, or overlapping of teeth. Other changes you may face are:

1. Dental discoloration – teeth may start to yellow or look duller than they were at your young age. It is mostly due to enamel thinning, which exposes the dentin layer of your teeth that is duller than enamel. Besides, the foods you eat over time, coupled with poor oral hygiene, can aggravate the discoloration of your teeth.
2. Wear and tear – usage of teeth over the years is a common cause of wear and tear as you age. However, the stakes are higher for patients with bruxism, featuring excessive teeth grinding.

Gum disease – granted, some patients are more susceptible to gum disease than others.

1. If you are at a high risk of getting gum disease, the sticks will be higher as you age. An infection in your gums can cause a dental alignment problem where your teeth begin to shift. It occurs due to instability when the gums and jawbone are infected.
2. Plaque and tartar buildup – many patients are surprised to find out that they have plaque and tartar on their teeth, regardless of their efforts to maintain good oral hygiene. While you may intentionally clean your mouth, some parts are hard to reach. It is why dental experts consistently emphasize the essence of routine dental cleanings to boost your oral hygiene standards. The older you get, the more plaque and tartar you accumulate in your mouth.

Whether directly or indirectly, these changes in your oral cavity as your age will impact the alignment of your teeth. The common aspects that emerge when you age regard spaces between teeth, crookedness, and overlapping teeth. It explains why dentists are eager to recommend Invisalign aligners to adults.

The Different Methods for Teeth Straightening

Teeth straightening involves using oral devices to rotate and move teeth to a new position. It is the responsibility of your dentist in Poway to direct and control the shifting process to achieve desired results. Some of the ways you can straighten your teeth as an adult are:

1. Orthodontic treatment – a great aesthetically-pleasing solution is Invisalign in Poway, CA. Orthodontic treatment is an effective way to change the alignment of the jawbone and the positioning of teeth. It is also the approach that takes the longest time to achieve desired results.
2. Dental veneers – are oral appliances in cosmetic dentistry that can correct the appearance of teeth regarding size, shape, and length. These changes can adjust the alignment of your teeth to close small spaces and overcome crookedness.

Dental crowns – can serve a similar purpose to dental veneers. The only difference is that dental crowns encapsulate the entire tooth instead of masking the problems from the front side.