Dental care is something that everyone needs even those who may not readily be aware of this. This care however comes in various forms. There are those who get treated for serious dental issues that bother on oral health while there are those who get treated for cosmetic reasons.
For whatever reasons that a person requires treatment, it is important that they get the best possible. Thankfully, the dental branch of medicine has a lot of sub-specialties that are focused on taking care of these many different oral health needs. You can read about the different aspects of dental care here.
Our focus in this article is however not the entire scope of dental care but on a specific brand of a treatment procedure that comes under dental braces which are also known as cases or orthodontic cases.
Under Orthodontics, an area of specialization in dentistry that deals with all issues relating to the misalignment of the teeth as well as the jaw, braces are regularly used for the purpose of getting these misaligned teeth back in line so to speak.
These braces are available in different forms. A few examples include: the traditional metal wired type, the lingual type, titanium braces, customizable orthodontic treatment and clear removable aligners.
The product we are focusing on in this article is a combination of the customizable treatment and clear removable aligners. We are going to be taking a close look at Invisalign.
What is Invisalign?
As we mentioned in the previous section, there are different types of orthodontic cases one of which is known as clear removable aligners. This is a customizable and progressive treatment used to bring misaligned teeth into alignment. Invisalign is simply the name of the leading manufacturer of this product. The brand’s name has become so synonymous with this treatment that people just call the product by the brand’s name.
Our attempt at trying to fully understand how this device operates will also help us learn more about invisible braces in general.
How Does it Work?
In describing how Invisalign works, we need to take note of two words. The first is “progressive” and the second is “clear”. These two words are important in the explanation we will be giving.
Remember that the purpose of this product is to bring teeth that are out of alignment back into alignment. These include overbites, underbites and other types of misalignments.
The first thing that is done when administering this procedure is to get a mold of the current state of the patient’s teeth. Once this is done, the problem points can then easily be determined and a desired outcome outlined.
With these two important points (a starting and an ending point) captured, they are sent to the company that makes these aligners and then their software creates a series of clear aligners that will, over the course of between 9 to 12 months, gradually bring the teeth to the desired positions.
Note that we mentioned above that a series of aligners will be created. Each will be worn for about two weeks and then it will be replaced with the next in the set. They are designed to gradually push the teeth into shape so each one is slightly tighter than the one before it.
For best results, these aligners should be worn for at least 22 hours each day.
Who is it Best for?
There are different degrees to teeth misalignment or placement issues. This particular approach has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of mild to medium cases of such misalignments, spacing and crowding. You can check out a real patient’s account here: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1mjzqg/iama_guy_that_just_finished_invisalign_may_not_be/.
As a result of the way this treatment is carried out, it is not ideal for children, that is, anyone with their teeth still developing. It is best for adults or teens. In any case, before commencing on this procedure, you should be given the go-ahead by an experienced orthodontist.
What are its Benefits?
There are a number of benefits that this approach offers dental patients. We will quickly enumerate a few of these.
Ease of Use
The device is very easy to use. Unlike with the traditional braces which require an orthodontist to fix it or remove it, this can be inserted or removed by the wearer at any time of their choosing. Additionally, you also do not a regular visit to the dental clinic. A few observatory visits is all that is required.
Inconspicuous
This is probably one of the more obvious benefits. Because they are clear, it is not immediately obvious that the wearer has braces on. This allows for more confidence unlike the traditional case were it is immediately obvious that a person has some strange metals on their teeth. This can be a major issue for young people.
Easy Maintenance and Improved Oral Hygiene
A very important benefit is the fact that Invisalign is easy to maintain. All you need to do is remove them when you want to eat so that food particles do not get lodged in them. You can also wash them with ease, ensuring that they remain clean and bacteria free.
Some Disadvantages to be Aware of
Having looked at some benefits, let’s also quickly enumerate some disadvantages you should be aware of.
Ease of Removal
Interestingly, this was also listed above as a benefit. To ensure that you get the full benefits of this procedure, it is important that you have it on for at least 22 hours each day. The fact that it is easy to remove however means that some folks will remove them and forget to put them back, meaning that they may not meet the 22 hours a day target. This will then mean that they may not get the full benefits of the procedure.
Cost
This treatment can cost anywhere from $3000 to $7000. The specific amount will be determined by the specific case and the kind of health insurance cover you have.
Effectiveness
While this process is continuing to improve on a daily basis, it still is preferred for mild to medium cases. Most orthodontists will not prescribe this treatment for serious cases of misalignment.
How to get it
Wherever you are, getting invisalign is quite easy. The first thing you need to do is consult a qualified orthodontist. Since it is a process that you cannot get by yourself, and one whose effectiveness is determined by the expertise of the administering orthodontist, it is therefore critical that you take some time to find a professional who can ensure you get the very best.
If you reside in Melbourne, all you need to do is carry out a search online for invisalign centers in Melbourne and you should immediately receive recommendations of centers you can check out.
To ensure you do not go to the wrong places, take some time to read through the reviews given by previous patients. This will help you decide on which center is likely to offer the best service.
Best still, ask your current dentist to recommend a place in your area where you can go for the treatment.
