If your teeth are crowded and you are looking into straightening them with clear aligners, your orthodontist may want to file or shave them first. Shaving teeth for Invisalign, also called enameloplasty, is a common procedure to narrow the teeth so aligners can work more effectively. It is generally safe when done by a professional,...
Invisalign is a popular treatment for orthodontic issues like crooked teeth and gaps between teeth. Many patients choose Invisalign because its clear plastic trays are less noticeable than other options like metal braces, and they can be removed for short periods of time. But can Invisalign fix an underbite? Orthodontic treatment options for an underbite...
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD or TMJ for short) causes jaw pain and discomfort for roughly 11 to 12 million adults in the United States. TMJ can be a medical issue involving the structure of the jaw, or a dental issue resulting from misaligned teeth or overcrowding. The nature of the problem determines the best course...
As successful as Invisalign is at straightening teeth, the plastic aligner trays sometimes need a little help. For example, dentists may place Invisalign attachments or buttons onto the teeth to provide leverage, giving the trays something to push against. Another common accessory is called a dental aligner seater. These are small devices that help the...
Lingual braces have the power of traditional braces without the obvious “metal mouth” look. They work with the same type of brackets and wires as braces, but they are hidden behind the teeth, making them even less noticeable than clear aligner trays like Invisalign. With any kind of straightening treatment, patients want quick results. How...
Invisalign uses a series of clear trays to gradually straighten crooked teeth over time. Because teeth are being moved, there may be some mild pain involved with the treatment, especially when patients switch to a new set of trays. Many patients report that discomfort is most noticeable when removing the trays. Luckily, there are a...
Anyone considering Invisalign for straighter teeth has no doubt heard a lot about its advantages. But they may not have heard about Invisalign attachments, also called Invisalign buttons. Two of the biggest selling points for Invisalign are that the clear plastic aligner trays are less noticeable than old-fashioned braces, and that you can take them...
Making the choice to start Invisalign treatment is the first step toward straighter teeth. New users learn that they must keep the clear plastic aligners in for 20 to 22 hours each day. Dentists also tell patients to remove Invisalign when eating. But what about drinking? Is it okay to have a morning coffee or...
There are plenty of options for correcting cosmetic dental issues like crowded or crooked teeth. Braces are one of the most common tools used by orthodontists. Braces can be placed on the front of the patient’s teeth, or, in the case of lingual braces, hidden behind the teeth. Another less visible alternative uses plastic trays...
The two most common orthodontic treatments for misaligned, crooked, or rotated teeth are braces and Invisalign (or other transparent aligner systems like byte). Many people, adults especially, prefer Invisalign because it is discrete and removable. But how long it take can matter, too. While Invisalign can work faster than braces, that is not always the...