Have you noticed that your teeth are no longer straight in spite of having had braces as a child? You’re not alone! At Shoreline Dental, we’ve seen many adults whose teeth have shifted as they’ve aged. This can happen for any number of reasons, from failing to wear your retainer properly to natural changes in jaw bone structure as you mature. The good news is there’s almost always something your dentist can do about it — and without ruining your professional image with brackets and wires.
Tooth Straightening Options for Adults
While traditional braces may be necessary for a few patients with very pronounced dental misalignments, the vast majority of adults who had braces as children are candidates for Invisalign®. Invisalign is system for straightening teeth with a series of clear, plastic trays. If you are just in need of some “touch up” straightening, you’ll likely only need to wear the aligners for 6-12 months. However, every patient is different; your dentist can more precisely estimate how long you’ll need to wear the aligners.
Invisalign and Your Appearance
Invisalign is an excellent tool for straightening teeth in adults because, like its name suggests, it is virtually invisible. Nobody will be able to see the aligners in your mouth, which allows you to maintain your professional image without the worry of metal brackets or rubber bands. Your teeth will slowly grow straighter, and before you know it, you’ll have the smile of your dreams.
Eating with Invisalign
Patients take Invisalign out to eat, which means you won’t have to sacrifice crunchy or sticky foods as with traditional braces. Invisalign is typically worn for 20 – 22 hours a day, so if you have an important dinner and don’t want to be fumbling with your aligners, you can always snap them out in the car before your event and then re-insert them when it’s over.
The Convenience of Invisalign
Invisalign is easy to fit into a busy schedule since you’ll only need to meet your dentist for a quick checkup every month or so. You’ll be given several aligners at each appointment and will need to switch to a new one every two weeks. Each subsequent aligner will move your teeth a bit closer to their ideal position.
Are you ready to have straight teeth again? Read up on FAQ’s and schedule an appointment to find out whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign.
