When you hear the word “braces,” what do you think? Chances are good that your mind immediately leaps to any one of a dozen cringe-worthy thoughts: ugly metal, painful tightening and those television and movie nerds you remember so vividly from the 80s. There’s a reason the term “metal mouth” has stuck around pretty much since braces were invented; they’re just not that attractive.
Luckily, you don’t have to get old-school metal braces complete with rubber bands and embarrassing smiles. Instead, you may be able to rely on an invisible and comfortable solution known as Invisalign.
So how does it work?
Instead of adding semi-permanent structures to your teeth and tightening them up every few weeks, Invisalign uses a series of specially constructed teeth aligners to straighten out the crooked teeth. The process requires no tightening and delivers the same incredible teeth straightening results of traditional braces. The teeth aligners are even removable, allowing you more flexibility in your hygiene habits and day-to-day oral needs. When you’re done eating or brushing, you simply rinse off the aligners and pop them back into your mouth.
There are other benefits as well: Invisalign is generally less painful than traditional braces, since it applies far less force on your teeth than traditional appliances. Additionally, there are no food restrictions on what types of food you can or can’t eat (a common patient complaint about fixed equipment like metal braces). Depending on your specific case, Invisalign may also be faster than traditional straightening solutions.
Invisalign is designed to straighten your teeth in the most comfortable, convenient and attractive way possible. New guides are usually applied every two weeks, with treatments generally lasting between 12 and 18 months. Thanks to the appliance’s computer-assisted system, you’ll be able to see exactly what your smile will look like and work out a treatment plan with your dentist.
We’re proud to be one of the Invisalign-certified dentists in Los Angeles, and happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Feel free to contact us for more information. www.crystaldentalcenters.com
