Thanks to the advances in dental technology, more adults than ever before are straightening their teeth to improve their dental health and the appearance of their smiles. Statistics show that approximately 1 in 5 orthodontic patients are adults; this is due to the introduction and establishment of discreet dental alignment options, for example, Invisalign Clapham.
Invisalign was introduced by a group of students in the USA undergoing orthodontic treatment themselves. Invisalign quickly became a popular choice amongst dentists and patients across the world. First introduced in 1999, Invisalign has already helped straighten more than 14 million smiles across the world by 2023 and continues to be very popular amongst patients of all ages.
Healthy teeth with Invisalign
Approximately three in five people are affected by misaligned teeth. Speak to your dentist about Invisalign if your teeth are crooked. With Invisalign, you can improve not just the appearance of your teeth but also your dental health and your chance of maintaining your teeth for the rest of your life. Crooked teeth can result in early tooth loss because they are more likely to be affected by dental complications such as tooth decay and gum disease. If left untreated, tooth decay and gum disease can result in tooth loss. By straightening your teeth, you reduce the amount of plaque that builds up on the surface of your teeth, meaning you can reduce the chance of tooth decay and gum disease developing. This means your teeth will remain clean and healthy, and with regular visits to your dentist, you can preserve your smile for the rest of your life.
Beautiful smiles with Invisalign
Invisalign can also help to improve the appearance of your smile. Cosmetic orthodontic issues can affect all aspects of your life, including your mental health and well-being. Invisalign can bring back your self-confidence and encourage you to smile more happily and more often, improving your mental health and well-being.
Most people use Invisalign for cosmetic issues and mild and moderate orthodontic issues. If your issues are purely aesthetic, you should be able to improve the alignment of your teeth within as little as six months. If you have more complex needs, your treatment can take between 12 and 18 months or longer, depending on how crooked your teeth initially are.
Invisalign aligners
Invisalign is relatively simple in comparison to traditional orthodontic treatment, making it more popular than traditional braces. You can carry out most of the process in the comfort of your own home, spending very little time at the dental clinic because, unlike traditional braces that need to be tightened, Invisalign only requires that you move on to the next aligner in the series after every two weeks.
The number of aligners in each series varies from patient to patient. Your teeth may be straightened using as little as 10 aligners, or you may need up to 50 aligners, depending on your orthodontic needs. Each aligner must be worn for approximately 2 weeks, after which you have to move on to the next aligner because the previous one will stop working. Each aligner moves your teeth by approximately 0.25 mm towards the desired positions.
Invisalign is a gentle and gradual process that produces excellent aesthetic results with good longevity. You must remember to wear your aligners correctly, which means keeping them in your mouth for approximately 22 hours a day; you can leave them out for 2 hours for any special occasions if you need to.
The aligners are made from medical-grade polyurethane resins and are BPA-free, meaning they are non-allergenic and easy to become accustomed to, and they should feel smooth and snug in your mouth. Every time you move on to a new aligner, you may feel a tightness, which is normal, and if you are in any pain, this should go away with paracetamol. Within 12 hours, you should become accustomed to the new aligner; therefore, it is a good idea to change them over at bedtime.
With a patient satisfaction rate of more than 95%, Invisalign is one of the most popular alternatives to traditional braces and can help address a range of issues, including overcrowding, gapped teeth, overlapping teeth, protruding teeth and bite disorders such as underbites, overbites and crossbites. If you are troubled by orthodontic issues such as these, speak to your dentist today and learn more about Invisalign.