Invisalign® Teens and Adults

You’ve likely seen traditional metal braces in the mouths of both kids and adults. Although they get the job done, these braces can be uncomfortable, costly and unattractive. Straightening your teeth is a big job, but luckily there is now a very popular alternative- Invisalign®. This option is almost completely invisible, removable and still straightens teeth to help them look their very best. Invisalign® has allowed teens and adults the chance to obtain a beautiful smile without worry of social stigma. Learn more about some of the benefits of choosing Invisalign® versus traditional metal braces.

Improved Oral Hygiene

Standard braces are placed on the teeth themselves. In addition to the actual braces, there are a number of various attachments. These can include bars, elastics, rubber bands and springs, all of which can catch food, prevent you from brushing or flossing correctly and keep you from getting your teeth as clean as they could be. Food caught in braces can also cause bad breath and may result in more frequent cleanings that can add to your dental expenses.

When braces are not cleaned properly, the patient may experience tooth decay and decalcification. Even if the patient practices good dental hygiene, it is common to end up with cavities or yellowing.

On the other hand, Invisalign® trays are easily removed to allow for normal brushing and flossing during treatment. This greatly reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Invisalign® is More Comfortable

Traditional braces are just plain uncomfortable. there are sharp and pointy edges on the brackets as well as wires that can come loose and poke your gums. You can use bracket wax to decrease the irritation, but it can still be “a pain.” Invisalign® aligners are not made out of metal. They have smooth plastic edges that do not cause irritation to the tissues in your mouth.

Treatment Time

While every case is different, you will generally be in Invisalign® treatment for a shorter period of time that you would with normal braces. Traditional braces are typically worn for around 2 years or so- though severe cases can be much longer. With Invisalign®, the process is different. The length of treatment is based on how many different trays must be worn to move your teeth into the proper position. Each tray (aligner) is worn for 2 weeks and then replaced with the next aligner in the sequence. Depending on the particular amount of crowding or misalignment, the treatment time may vary anywhere between 4 months to a year on average.

Cosmetic Benefits

When you are wearing Invisalign® trays, they are nearly invisible to the naked eye. This makes it great choice for those who are sensitive about their appearance.

And although the aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours a day, this means that you still have a few hours to take them out to eat and clean your teeth – or to take them out for a special occasion. Invisalign® is an excellent option from a cosmetic standpoint.

Freedom to Dine

As mentioned previously, you must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Since the Invisalign® trays come out when you dine, you do not have the same restrictions on eating that you do with traditional braces. Enjoy corn, apples, chicken and chewy candies just like you did before you started treatment.

Further Benefit of Invisalign®

Your Invisalign® treatment is custom designed specifically for you, using a computer simulation in the dental office. This gives you the chance to view the potential changes before the process even begins. This level of patient interaction and education is not available with standard braces. When the patients can see the final results via computer simulation, there is more motivation to follow doctor instructions throughout the entire process.

An additional feature of Invisalign® is that the same trays which are used to straighten your teeth can also sometimes be used as whitening trays. This means that patients can straighten and whiten teeth at the same time! At the end of the treatment, patients are stunned by the results and can enjoy straight, clean whiter teeth.

As you can see, the benefits of Invisalign® are significant and the price could be less than you may think. Speak with Dr. Gowda or our team soon to find out if Invisalign® might be a good option to give you the smile you have always wanted.

Clear Braces

Whether you’re an adult or a teen, we all want to look our best at all times. Changing the way your teeth are structured takes time and there are now ways to keep you looking your best during this period. Clear braces or ceramic braces are translucent. This new technology is available for most cases. The great benefit of these braces is that you won’t have to have that metallic look. In addition, clear braces are specifically designed so that they won’t stain or wear over time.

Give us a call today to see if you’re a candidate for ceramic braces!

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces have been around for many years. They are the standard among patients looking to straighten their smile. Today’s contemporary braces are made of exceptionally strong metals as they need to be able to stand the test of time while they are on your teeth. While contemporary braces are metallic colored, there are a number of bands and features that can be utilized to spruce them up. Give us a call today so we can discuss in more detail about getting you that perfect smile!

Night Guards

The Silent Night and EMA are highly recommended by Campbell Family Dentistry as a way to allow for a better night sleep without snoring.

TMJ

TMJ is the initialism for temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw (the mandible) to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls many jaw functions, like chewing. If the chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain you may have temporamandibular disorder, or TMD. TMD can be caused by stress, continual clenching of the jaw muscles, or teeth grinding.

Some of the symptoms of TMD are:

• Pain when opening or closing mouth
• Trouble chewing
• Jaw becoming stuck open or shut
• Headaches or ear pain
• Clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth
• Teeth Grinding

Many of these symptoms can often be associated with other health problems, so only a medical professional can tell you if it is due to TMD. Teeth grinding is an especially problematic symptom because it can lead to further problems. Prolonged teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause enamel to wear off teeth and expose dentin. This material is softer than enamel and more susceptible to decay. Sensitivity to hot and cold food or drink may also develop from excessive teeth grinding.

If you suspect you may have TMD come in for a consultation. We can help diagnose you and provide relief for your symptoms. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are short term methods to provide relief for pain symptoms. A night guard can be used to help prevent or lessen the effects of teeth grinding at night. This can lead to a more permanent solution. In very severe cases of TMD surgery may be required, but behavioral treatments to change the way you use your jaw muscles are usually enough to provide relief.