Why Do I Need Braces?

Braces do make your teeth look better, but the real reason for braces is your oral health. Teeth that are crooked often wear unevenly. Uneven wear can increase the risk of chipping or breaking a tooth, and teeth that are unbalanced can cause discomfort when talking or chewing. When your teeth are too close together, it's hard to floss properly or to clean around the base of the tooth, which increases the risk of gum disease.

What Makes Invisalign Different?

All braces are meant to straighten teeth, but one great disadvantage of conventional braces is their visibility. For teens, especially, a “mouthful of metal” can be difficult. Traditional braces are made from wire brackets attached to the teeth and cannot be removed. Invisalign® braces aren't really braces at all, but a plastic device called an aligner that fits over the teeth. Because it is clear, it is nearly invisible, and it can be removed to eat or for oral care.

Does Invisalign® Have Some Advantages?

Conventional braces go on and stay on. You may need to be careful what you eat to prevent breakage. It's much harder to get your teeth completely clean with conventional braces. Invisalign® braces can be removed. Food like popcorn, hard candies, apples and corn on the cob pose no problems. You can also take them out to floss and brush, ensuring that your teeth stay clean. You may not need as many appointments with Invisalign® compared to conventional braces.

How Do Invisalign Braces Work?

Your Invisalign® braces are actually created on a 3D computer-generated system. The dentist takes models and impressions of your teeth, takes pictures and enters all the information into the special software. The computer uses this information to design a series of custom-fitted appliances called aligners. Each brace is slightly different and designed to move your teeth into their new position little by little. After a few weeks, you change to a new aligner.