Metal braces
Today a lot of people associate orthodontics with metal braces, however, these braces are a relatively recent development of the field. They were introduced during the 1970s, as the widespread use of stainless steel and the invention of dental adhesives has facilitated the development of metal braces with brackets. Prior to the use of these devices orthodontists primarily used precious metal bands wrapped around the surface of each tooth and thus exerting pressure on them. The widespread use of metal braces has enabled a broader portion of society to wear braces and thus treat their orthodontic conditions, be that cosmetic or severe. Metal braces consist of brackets and an archwire. The brackets are attached to the outer surface of each tooth, and the archwires are then led through the small holes found in the brackets. This allows the orthodontist to exert force of varying strength from different directions on the teeth to achieve the desired results. Luckily today metal braces are not the only way of straightening teeth. If you are interested in getting Invisalign Welwyn, then you should book an appointment with Neel Dentistry, who can help you with the matter.
Invisalign treatment
Invisalign is one of the alternatives of metal braces that have been developed recently. They are essentially plastic moulds of the dental arches of a patient. Prior to the start of the treatment a consultation session is required. At this session your orthodontist will evaluate whether you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign. This can depend on individual tooth shapes and sizes, and also on the severity and type of the orthodontic condition that is to be treated. Patients with overly small, round or large teeth are not suitable to be treated with Invisalign, as these tooth types can prevent the aligners from getting a good grip on the teeth. After this a 3D image of the mouth is created. Luckily, there is no ionising radiation, such as X-rays involved, therefore the imaging procedure is completely safe. Once the image was completed, a number of aligners will be manufactured as the treatment progresses, typically between 6-12. If you are interested in getting Invisalign Welwyn, book a consultation session with Neel Dentistry, who offer Invisalign treatments.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign has a wide range of benefits, and as with every medical treatment, certain disadvantages too. The most obvious benefit is that the aligners are practically invisible when viewed from an external point of view. Another important benefit is that the smooth plastic surface means improved comfort compared to metal braces. Furthermore, the aligners are removable, thus you can prevent them from getting stained by removing them when drinking coffee, tea or red wine, or smoking. This also means that it is very easy to clean them, and that you do not have to worry about food getting stuck in them. However, they have to be worn at least 22 hours a day for the treatment to be efficient. One of the drawbacks of Invisalign is that severe orthodontic conditions cannot be treated with it due to the nature of aligners, therefore it is mostly recommended for mild to moderately severe conditions.
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