Orthodontist

Depending on what you’re looking to achieve, there are different Teeth Straightening options at Clearly Dental. Here we discuss Invisalign^® and braces and the differences between the two.

First things first: What is orthodontics?

It’s the specialised branch of dentistry that can be summed up simply as any work that fixes teeth and jaws for proper alignment. The result is improved oral health since some teeth irregularities can make it harder to clean, which can lead to tooth decay or other problems.

A trained orthodontist can use a number of treatments to correct these issues and even prevent future ones from occurring as your teeth and jaw continue to grow. The most common option is braces but there are also other removable devices available including Invisalign^®.

When might you want to straighten your teeth?

Not all smiles are straight and irregularities in people’s smiles are fairly common. It's only when crooked teeth interfere with a person's oral health or they might be looking for options to cosmetically straighten things out, will a dentist recommend straightening options.

Issues that might require teeth straightening include:

• Gaps between the teeth that can trap food and become a potential hazard for cavities
• Crooked or crowded teeth that can push into each other as they grow and potentially cause pain or more cavities
• Overbites (where the top row of teeth sit too far over the lower) and underbites (where the bottom teeth protrude over the upper)
• Crossbite, where the jaw does not properly align
• Open bite, where there is a gap between the top and bottom teeth even when the back teeth are closed
• Misplaced midline, where the centre of the lower and upper teeth do not meet

It's common for your dentist to be the first to notice that you may need some kind of straightening treatment, as they will be able to spot the signs early on as teeth grow. At this point, they may talk to you about options at Clearly Dental or refer you to a specialist orthodontist. Alternatively, you may also ask your dentist about treatment if you aren’t sure about the appearance or functionality of your teeth.

How does Invisalign^® work?

Invisalign^® is another popular straightening treatment and one your Dentist at Clearly Dental can help with. Invisalign^® can be a less noticeable alternative to braces, where a clear aligner is worn over the teeth to function the same way as braces but without the brackets. As a bonus, you can also remove Invisalign^® for special occasions or to eat, whereas braces remain on for the entire duration of the treatment.

Once you've talked to your dentist and decided on Invisalign^®, they will begin the process by taking impressions and X-rays of your teeth. Using this information, the team will create a treatment plan that will show you how your teeth will move and how much time it will take. At this point, our team will go away and create a series of custom aligners for your teeth. You’ll receive your first aligner and one or two sets during your first appointment, with instructions on how long to wear each one (usually two weeks), which order to wear them in, and when to come back for your next checkup and to receive the next set.

You’ll really need to wear the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day for the best results, only taking them off to eat and clean your teeth, or occasionally for special events. For adults, this treatment can typically take 12 months. Invisalign^® is a great option if you’re looking for an non-invasive way to get a more naturally straighter smile.

How do braces work?

The first step for braces is for an orthodontist to place bands around the back teeth, which will act as anchors for the rest of the appliance. Then, they will glue small brackets to the front of each tooth, and a wire will run through each bracket and to the teeth at the back.

When the orthodontist tightens this wire, it will slowly pull the teeth into line and move them into a good position in the mouth. Generally, you would see your orthodontist every four to six weeks for a tightening, which slowly brings the teeth into the correct position. In total, the treatment can take from one to three years, depending on the individual.

So how is an orthodontist different to a dentist?

The reason you can't always ask your regular dentist for orthodontic treatment is due to some key differences between dentists and orthodontists. While a dentist can offer a good base knowledge of how orthodontics works, an orthodontist is the one who has trained specifically in this area (an extra three years of full-time University course study!). This makes them the experts at knowing how to correct crooked teeth in people of all ages.

We recommend you see our team for check-up and have the conversation about what options might be best for you.