Are you concerned about teeth that are too widely spaced? Or too crowded? Or crooked? Here at ConfiDental we think you might be surprised to know that this is not just a cosmetic issue, but it has the potential to be a serious issue with your health. Think of your teeth as a window to the health of your body. The American Dental Association has said that straightening your teeth can significantly affect your overall dental health, and by extension, your general health. Your smile says a lot about your overall health: If you’re taking good care of your teeth, it’s very likely you’re taking good care of the rest of you.
When teeth are crowded or too widely spaced, swollen and red gums can result, a symptom of periodontal disease. Teeth need to be properly aligned to help the gums fit more securely around the teeth. This facilitates a strong and healthy defense against potential periodontal problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease that are caused by bacteria, and can result in mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss if left untreated. And more importantly, American Dental Association studies indicate that oral infections can lead to more serious health risks like heart disease, cancer, stroke, pneumonia, and diabetes. In addition, after reviewing 20 years of data, researchers from New York University (NYU) concluded that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you have misaligned teeth and think you need braces, you may have already found that there are different types of materials used in braces: metal, ceramic, tooth-colored, and clear plastic. The 2 basic types of braces are those that are attached and those that are removeable. Orthodontic treatment is an important dental and financial decision, so it’s essential that you choose an experienced dentist. Our expert orthodontists at ConfiDental offer the following options in braces:
- Lingual Orthodontics (braces placed behind the teeth)
- INVISALIGN® system
- Self-ligating Damon Braces System
- INSIGNIA System: Personalized braces
And we offer management of MBT™, ROTH™, INVISALIGN™, INSIGNIA™, DAMON™ and INCOGNITO™
Our focus here is on the exciting newest dental technology in braces, Invisalign — the clear plastic, invisible type. It has been in use in the USA since 1999, and is being used in at least 50 countries around the World. Now, with more than four million people having benefitted from tooth straightening with Invisalign, it has become one of the world’s most popular tooth-straightening appliances.
INVISALIGN BENEFITS:
- They are invisible, hence the name
- You can easily remove them when eating, drinking, or cleaning
- No restrictions on what you eat
- They are high tech with computer simulated treatment
- They will not stain or damage your teeth
- They are comfortable, no poking, pulling, pain, or bleeding from metal wires
HOW INVISALIGN WORKS:
Your Orthodontist takes measurements of your teeth, by using a digital scanning system to create a custom treatment plan with precise 3D digital images of your teeth, showing how your teeth will move throughout the course of your treatment. The computerized model suggests stages between the current and desired teeth positions, and aligners are created for each stage.
The images for your treatment are used to create plastic teeth trays, and because the treatment plans are created right here in Costa Rica, it is very fast. The process is gentle and gradual: As each aligner is replaced every two weeks, the teeth will move – little by little, until they reach their correct final position. We supply our patients with all of the trays needed, so patients can return home with the full treatment protocol.
The importance of correctly aligned teeth should not be underestimated. Misaligned teeth can result in orthodontic issues like an improper bite, speech or chewing difficulties, jaw problems, and increased wear on the tooth enamel. Improved oral health is another one of the Invisalign® benefits. Severe cases may need to investigate other options, but Invisalign treatment is appropriate in the majority of cases and is clinically proven to be effective for a broad range of teeth straightening cases, from mild to complex, such as:
- Gapped Teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open Bite
- Crowded Teetch
One of the drawbacks with traditional metal braces is the challenge of removing all the food that gets trapped in the brackets and wires, which can lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay. Dentists recommend that people with traditional wire braces avoid many foods:
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- Sticky and hard candy and chocolate
- Gum
- Pretzels
- Hard cookies or crackers
- Raw vegetables like carrots and celery
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces, and that will cause treatment to take longer
With the removable clear trays, though, all of the foods you normally eat are allowed, provided you remove the trays before you eat, and you continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.
Invisalign clear aligners must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day for the best results, taking them out only to eat and to brush and floss. Since they’re comfortable, that shouldn’t take too much effort, but realize that with any kind of braces it takes a big commitment. When the trays are left out more than two hours, it is said that the teeth will tighten up, and then when you put your tray back in, it takes quite a few hours for the teeth to adjust to the ailgners. To be sure, a lifestyle change is required during the treatment period, averaging 13.5 months. For instance, some report that they miss drinking coffee or wine slowly, and must then brush their teeth before putting the trays back in. Once the treatment period is over, patients are advised to continue wearing a retainer at night for the foreseeable future.
A SMILE CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING — YOUR CONFIDENCE. YOUR OUTLOOK. YOUR LIFE!
At ConfiDental achieving the smile you always dreamed of doesn’t have to be a big deal. In fact, with Invisalign it barely has to impact your day-to-day life at all. If you want more information or to schedule an appointment, please fill out the Contact form, and a dental specialist will be in touch to assist you and answer any questions. Our ConfiDental team is here to make you happy and healthy!
