Do crooked teeth get in the way of your daily life? Worried about looking weird with metal braces? Invisible braces may be the right treatment for you!
Invisible braces are an ideal cosmetic dental treatment for patients who need mild to moderate orthodontic treatment AND want to avoid traditional metal braces. Dr. Leonard Hess offers several braces options to meet your needs and goals. With invisible braces, no one will know that you are wearing braces. Dr. Hess can gradually align your teeth and restore balance to your bite in under a year with this orthodontic treatment.
Invisible braces are a series of custom-made, clear, removable aligners that gently reposition the teeth. Depending on your case, you will wear a series of aligners for approximately two weeks each. Most patients complete treatment in six to 12 months. Dr. Hess also offers additional cosmetic dentistry services from his Monroe, North Carolina office.
What Do Invisible Braces Correct?
Invisible braces are suitable for most teens and adults. Senior patients and children who do not have all their molars may not be eligible for clear braces. Invisible braces can correct many conditions, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Spaces between teeth
- Overbite or underbite
- Crossbite
Why Should I Fix Crooked Teeth?
Crooked teeth are a common dental issue that affects many people. While some may feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their smile, crooked teeth can cause more than just aesthetic concerns. If left untreated, they can also lead to long-term health problems. Straightening your teeth offers many benefits, from improved oral health to enhanced self-confidence.
Better Oral Health
One of the most important reasons to straighten crooked teeth is to improve your oral health. When teeth are misaligned, they can be harder to clean properly. Crooked teeth create tight spaces that make it difficult to reach every surface with a toothbrush and floss. This can lead to plaque buildup, which causes tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Straightening your teeth improves cleaning and reduces the risk of these common dental problems. A straighter smile helps you maintain healthier teeth and gums over time.
Reduced Risk of Tooth Wear and Damage
Crooked teeth can also cause uneven wear on your teeth. When teeth are misaligned, they may not fit together properly, causing certain teeth to bear more pressure than others. This can lead to excessive wear and even chipping or cracking. Crooked teeth can also strain your jaw and facial muscles, resulting in headaches, jaw pain, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. By straightening your teeth, you can ensure that your bite is more even, reducing the risk of tooth damage and minimizing unnecessary strain on your jaw.
Improved Chewing and Speaking Function
Crooked teeth can make it difficult to chew food properly, affecting digestion and overall nutrition. Misaligned teeth may also cause problems with speaking clearly, leading to difficulties pronouncing certain words. Straightening your teeth improves both chewing and speaking function, allowing you to eat a wider variety of foods and communicate more easily. Proper alignment helps your teeth work together efficiently, making daily tasks like chewing and speaking more comfortable.
Enhanced Confidence and Self-Esteem
One of the most noticeable benefits of straightening your teeth is the boost it can give to your self-esteem. Many people feel self-conscious about their crooked teeth, especially when it comes to smiling or speaking in public. Straightening your teeth can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile, making you feel more confident in social and professional situations. A straight, attractive smile can leave a lasting impression and help you feel better about yourself every day.
Prevention of Future Dental Issues
Straightening your teeth isn’t just about improving your smile today—it can also prevent future dental problems. Misaligned teeth can lead to bite issues, where your upper and lower teeth don’t come together properly. This can lead to further complications, such as tooth grinding, jaw pain, and even tooth loss. By straightening your teeth, you help ensure your bite is properly aligned, reducing the risk of these issues.
Easier Maintenance of Your Teeth
Straight teeth are easier to maintain over time. Crooked or crowded teeth create places where food and plaque can get trapped, leading to decay and gum disease. When your teeth are properly aligned, keeping them clean and free of buildup is easier. Regular brushing and flossing are more effective, and you’ll spend less time at the dentist dealing with cavities or gum infections. Straightening your teeth makes it easier to maintain long-term oral health with less effort.
Better Overall Health
Your oral health is closely connected to your overall health. Untreated dental problems can lead to more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues. Crooked teeth can cause bite problems and contribute to jaw pain, headaches, and even digestive issues. Straightening your teeth can help avoid these complications, improving overall health. By improving your oral function and comfort, you’re also supporting your overall well-being.
Invisible Braces vs. Metal Braces
Perhaps the greatest advantage invisible braces have over metal braces is their discreetness. Most people won’t even notice you are wearing the aligners. Other advantages include:
Improved health and hygiene – One added benefit of using invisible braces for orthodontic treatment is the ability to thoroughly clean teeth and gums. Removable aligners can be taken out when you eat or drink. They can also be removed to allow you to brush and floss normally. This also allows patients to receive a thorough dental cleaning during treatment. Thus, you see a reduced chance of tooth decay and gum disease.
Gentle treatment – Aligners are custom-fit to gently reposition teeth without harming tooth enamel, gum tissue, or TMJ. Patients report far less pain from using clear aligners.
Convenient treatment—Invisible braces require fewer dental visits than metal braces. Your general dentist can manage your treatment and monitor your progress by removing them during visits.
Improved bite – Orthodontic treatment straightens teeth and can restore your bite’s balance. Clear aligners comfortably align your teeth and allow your jaw to function without being stressed by metal braces. This can alleviate the effects of a bite disorder such as TMJ and keep your smile strong and healthy for the long run!
How to Care for Invisible Braces
Invisible braces are a popular choice for people looking to straighten their teeth without the visible appearance of traditional metal braces. These clear aligners are comfortable, effective, and discreet. However, like all dental treatments, they require proper care to ensure they work effectively and remain in good condition.
Keep Them Clean
One of the most important parts of caring for your invisible braces is keeping them clean. To prevent bacteria buildup, clean your aligners every time you take them out. Use lukewarm water and a gentle toothbrush to brush the aligners, but avoid using toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface and cause them to look cloudy. You can also use a special cleaning solution recommended by your dentist or orthodontist to keep your aligners fresh and bacteria-free.
Clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in. This helps avoid trapping food particles and plaque between your teeth and the aligners, which could cause tooth decay or bad breath.
Avoid Staining
Invisible braces are made of clear plastic, so they can easily become stained if exposed to certain foods or drinks. Avoid drinking beverages that can stain your aligners, such as coffee, tea, red wine, or soda. If you do drink any of these beverages, make sure to remove your aligners first and clean them thoroughly before putting them back in. Additionally, avoid eating foods that are sticky or hard, as they can damage the aligners or get stuck in them.
Wear Them as Directed
For your invisible braces to work effectively, you must wear them for the recommended amount of time each day. Typically, you should wear your aligners for about 20 to 22 hours daily, removing them only to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Not wearing them as instructed can slow your treatment or lead to ineffective results. Make sure to wear your aligners consistently and only remove them when necessary.
Store Them Properly
Always store your aligners in their case to prevent loss or damage when you take them out. Leaving them out on a napkin or in your pocket can lead to their loss or breakage. The case also helps keep your aligners clean and safe from dirt and bacteria.
Invisible Braces FAQs
Invisible braces are a subtle way to straighten your smile. Learn more about them by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
How much do invisible braces cost?
Invisible braces are relatively affordable compared to other methods of orthodontic treatment. The cost of treatment will depend on your individual needs and goals and the type of braces you select. Dr. Hess offers flexible payment options and financing for qualified patients.
How long does invisible braces treatment take?
For most patients, treatment will last between six and 12 months. Are your teeth very crooked and noticeable, or do you have just a few stubborn crooked teeth that need to be adjusted? The answer to these questions will impact treatment time and results. Treatment plans vary depending on the extent of your dental misalignment.
Are invisible braces comfortable?
Yes. Most patients forget they are wearing invisible braces. This is because the aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth snugly. You can even take them off to eat food and brush your teeth.
Will clear aligners stain my teeth?
Clear aligners do not stain teeth. They do not contain harsh chemicals or materials that can cause tooth stains. They can only damage teeth if you do not remove them before eating or rinse and brush them before wearing them.
Will invisible braces permanently straighten my teeth?
Like with traditional braces, you’ll need to wear a retainer sometimes so that we can ensure that your teeth stay in the proper positions. Each person is different, so the length of time you’ll need to wear yours to keep the desired results may vary.
Am I a good candidate for invisible braces?
Invisible braces treat mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. If you have more severe orthodontic issues, you may need oral appliances or traditional metal braces to treat your condition. You must also be responsible enough to change the aligners on time and not lose them when you take them out to eat or brush your teeth. Book a dental consultation to learn the best way to straighten your teeth.
Why do dentists recommend early orthodontic intervention?
Teenagers are ideal candidates for invisible braces treatment because they have all their adult teeth but have not yet fully fused into the jaw. This makes it easier for aligners to push teeth into the desired straight position. Older dental patients can also undergo invisible braces treatment, but it may take longer to achieve their results.
Request an Orthodontic Evaluation Today
Dr. Hess has extensive experience in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry in Monroe, North Carolina. Visit us for a thorough consultation on invisible braces.
We will examine your oral history and make recommendations that align with your budget and overall cosmetic goals. Call us at 980-351-6796 or schedule a visit online today.