It’s common for adults to think of tooth alignment as a teen issue. You might think wearing braces as a 30-, 40- or even 50-year-old is undesirable, but traditional braces aren’t your only option for alignment. Straighter teeth will improve your self-esteem and your dental health, and it’s probably not too late to flash a picture perfect smile.

Kanata dentistry professionals Drs. David Bartos and Mark Northcott can straighten healthy teeth at almost any age with Invisalign. Invisalign can correct a variety of aesthetic and bite issues, and you can schedule an appointment with our Ottawa family dentistry office to see if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign v. Traditional Braces

Invisalign and traditional metal braces do a good job of aligning your teeth, but the treatment experiences can vary greatly. Invisalign aligners are made of clear, smooth plastic, similar to clear retainers used at some orthodontic offices. Treatment length is largely dependent on the severity of your case. Generally Invisalign patients finish treatment faster than traditional orthodontic patients, and Invisalign patients don’t need to come in for visits as often as those with metal braces.

The main and most obvious difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is the ability to remove aligners. Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth while you live your life. You can take them out to enjoy a delicious meal or to wow a potential partner. You can also clean your teeth and gums easily. Traditional metal braces contain brackets, wires and sometimes even springs that can inhibit your brushing and flossing. These crevices created by braces can also trap pieces of the food you’ve eaten, and those food particles can harbor bacteria and decay.

Your Invisalign Treatment

The road to Kanata Invisalign treatment is simple and painless. First, you meet with a certified Invisalign provider such as Dr. Bartos or Dr. Northcott. You can begin treatment once you’ve been deemed a good Invisalign candidate. At that time your doctor will take impressions, photos and X-rays of your teeth to generate a 3-D replication of your smile. This specialized software will show you how your teeth will gradually move throughout your treatment.

You will receive your complete aligner set at the start of treatment, and you’ll be in charge of switching to a new set every few weeks. This control allows you to see your doctor less often, and you’ll be encouraged to see your teeth moved easily into place. Most Invisalign patients see their dentist about every six weeks to ensure the process is going smoothly.

Better Oral Health for Better Overall Health

Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, which means you’ll be less likely to develop cavities and gum disease in the future. Bacteria left in the mouth can lead to many health issues, including gum disease, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Our oral health affects the rest of our bodies; therefore a healthy mouth leads to a healthier body.

Ideally your bite, or the way your teeth fit together, will be harmonious. A disrupted bite can hurt your temporomandibular joint and cause unwanted stress in your jaw. These TMJ issues can cause pain, decreased jaw mobility, headaches, neck pain and earaches. Discordant bites, such as overbites and underbites, can wear down the enamel on your teeth. These problematic bites also put stress on your TMJ and disrupt normal jaw function. Your chewing and digestion could also be hindered by overbites, underbites and crossbites. Open bites, which occur when the top and bottom teeth don’t touch, can make it hard for you to eat, and they can also contribute to speech impediments. Many times Invisalign can correct these issues and improve your jaw function.

You no longer need to be embarrassed about crooked, crowded or overly spaced teeth. Contact our office today for an Invisalign consultation. Trillium Dental also offers Kanata cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening in Ottawa, dental veneers, bonding and gum contouring.