The only way to straighten misaligned teeth is to wear braces for an extended length of time, and that can be a problem for some people. Having bulky, metal brackets and wires in your mouth can be unattractive and uncomfortable, and also make it difficult to brush and floss correctly. Invisalign has changed dental treatment radically. Invisalign is not like traditional metal braces, treatment is through a series of aligners that look a bit like a teeth whitening tray, or a slimline mouthguard and fit snugly over your teeth. They are almost invisible and are easily removed, and may be the ideal solution for patients who require dental braces, but don’t want the difficulties associated with wearing traditional metal braces. 

Back in 1945, orthodontists found that aligners similar to modern dental aligners could successfully reposition teeth. Unfortunately a fresh mould of the patient’s teeth needed to be completed each time a new aligner was needed, and this proved impractical, and far too costly to be a mainstream option. 

Zia Chishti had suffered through wearing metal braces as an adult so when the computer age arrived, he was ready to take look at producing clear dental aligners in a more cost-effective manner. By combining computer generated three-dimensional images with conventional dental x-rays and photography, Chishti and his business partner Kelsy Wirth created the modern dental Invisalign aligner system. 

Although the business partners didn't have any formal training in dentistry they used their extensive knowledge of computers to develop their design and founded the company, Align Technology, in 1997. Three years later, the first Invisalign dental aligners were made available to orthodontic patients. 

Invisalign aligners work the same way as traditional metal braces, but without the stainless steel brackets and wires. Each clear tray is less than a millimetre thick, and uses gentle pressure to slowly move your teeth. Typically, each aligner is worn for around two weeks before being discarded, and replaced with a new, slightly different tray, in a custom made sequence. Invisalign aligners are removable, so everyday tasks such as eating, brushing teeth and flossing can easily be accomplished. 

It’s becoming increasingly common for adults to improve their smile by straightening their teeth, which has led to leaps and bounds in dental brace technology. If you work in a position where appearances count, or even if you just want your dental brace treatment to be unobtrusive, consider Invisalign.

Whether you have braces fitted to your teeth or not, it’s always a smart idea to eat a proper nutritious diet. However, if you have braces, it becomes even more crucial to pay attention to your diet, as some foods can increase your risk of tooth decay, or even damage your braces.

Did you know it’s a good idea to have your child’s first orthodontic examination before seven years of age? Although the majority of childhood orthodontic treatment is conducted between the ages of nine to 14, there are some problems that need to be addressed before that age. Issues such as protruding teeth, due to thumb sucking, or cheek and jaw misalignments, which can be due to unusual sleeping positions, often respond well to early treatment.  

Possible advantages of orthodontic treatment at an early age 

• A higher chance of creating a stable long-term result. 

• A reduction of the risk of having to undergo jaw surgery. 

• A lessening of the chances of having permanent teeth removed. 

• An increase in your child’s confidence by improving the appearance of their smile. 

• A lowering of the risk of fractures to protruding upper teeth. 

What age is too early? 

There is no one-size-fits-all orthodontic approach, but the jaw, teeth, muscles and the resulting bite are most treatable when young. Going ahead with orthodontic treatment as soon as the problem is diagnosed can help permanent teeth grow in the right places, so your child’s jaw fits together correctly. The best thing to do is be guided by the opinion of an experienced and professional orthodontist. 

What is involved? 

Typically, the earlier orthodontic treatment is performed, the quicker the response, and the sooner braces can be removed. In general, orthodontic treatment has numerous stages, but when a patient is very young sometimes the initial or primary treatment is so successful, it allows the second stage treatment to be minor. 

Prepare your child 

If you have a very young child has who has been assessed as requiring orthodontic treatment, there are some things you can do that can help ease your child into the process, without creating unnecessary anxiety. The most important thing is to ensure your child understands what to expect when the treatment is performed. Talk to them beforehand, and make sure they are comfortable with the orthodontist before going ahead. Also consider a reward to give them after the first treatment, so they have a positive view of return visits to the orthodontist.