Orthodontic treatment – Metal Braces vs Invisalign
Aside from all of the basic tools that you see at the dentist’s office, the x-rays and other large machines, what you will find at the orthodontist’s office would be hope – hope that you will get the smile that you have been wanting for a long time. There have been so many technological advancements made in the field of orthodontics that the orthodontist, or otherwise known as the specialist that works with patients in repairing tooth misalignment and jaw misalignment, is able to help almost anybody that works through his or her door. It doesn’t matter if you have made the decision to see the orthodontist on your own because you are beginning to really break up about your smile, or if your dentist was concerned enough about the health of your smile to refer you to one – the orthodontist will be able to help you. If your dentist made the referral, your orthodontist can work with your dentist in creating a treatment plan that is specially catered to your health needs. If you are ever in disbelief about this, just ask for your orthodontist’s portfolio, and through that, you should be able to see all sorts of cases that he or she has worked on and improved.
Just as a side note – it’s important to remember that if you truly want a beautiful smile, then it must be a healthy smile! Keep your teeth brushed, losses, and rinsed every day and this will add to the effects of a beautiful smile once your orthodontic treatment is underway and done.
The orthopedist will determine whether or not you will need braces, first of all, for your smile correction. If your case is not severe, then you will be possibly be given a retainer. Retainers will be used to manipulate your teeth together by using a wire that holds the teeth in place. If this is not effective by any means for you, or if the orthodontist thinks that you are not eligible for this treatment, then he or she will seek the alternative of braces.
We all know what traditional braces look like. These are the kinds that children and teens wear. Made out of steel, brackets are glued to the teeth that need correcting, and then the wires that are attached to the brackets are tightened to manipulate the teeth. This is the option that may have you wary of getting braces in the first place – for good reason, they can look a bit embarrassing! For those that need more discreet options in order to upkeep a professional appearance, there are certainly different options.
One of the most affordable options that are more discreet would be clear braces. Mechanically speaking, they work the same way as standard braces do, except they are made of different materials (sometimes plastic, sometimes clay or ceramic) and they are clear. It certainly can be noticeable to someone else if they were paying particular attention to your mouth, but otherwise, it’s a lot more discreet than the steel braces.
If you were hoping for something a lot more muted and quiet, there are lingual braces, which are applied to the back of the teeth instead of in the front. It makes it so that no one can notice at all. These kinds of braces will not work for everyone – first of all, your case needs to be eligible for this type of treatment, or else they may not be able to work for you at all. Secondly, many say that this method can be pretty uncomfortable, with the application of it generally complex and the wear slightly painful or bothersome. Whether or not you are eligible for this kind of treatment depends entirely on your case, and if you are thinking that this may be the better option for you, you will have to speak to your orthodontist directly about this treatment.
The last common option is Invisalign. Many of us have seen the commercials that feature them. They are clear plastic aligners that are measured and designed by a computer program and are individualized based on the person they are created for. They are made by a 3-D printer. They wear very clear and looking invisible for the person that needs to maintain a professional appearance, so this is essentially the ideal option. Every few weeks as your smile is corrected and improved, you will just need to visit the orthodontist again and have a new one made. This is not the most cost-friendly option though, so it’s important that you speak to an orthodontist about whether this option may be the right choice for you after all.
Your first visit to the orthodontist will be full of making choices for yourself, and he or she will be the main factor in the decision. Trust in your orthodontist, as he or she is looking out for the best for you.
