What is Invisalign? Invisalign is the invisible new way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires. It combines 21st century technology and revolutionary manufacturing to customise a treatment for each individual patient. Does Invisalign really work? Yes. In both clinical research and in dental and orthodontic practices around the world, Invisalign has been proven effective at straightening teeth. Over 400,000 patients have either been treated or are in treatment and over 37,000 orthodontists and dentists have been trained on how to use Invisalign. Does Invisalign work as well as normal braces? In most cases, Invisalign has proven to be as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces. Using Invisalign makes it easier to keep the mouth clean, easier to eat and talk, and more comfortable to wear than traditional braces. Some severe cases may require treatment using Invisalign together with another teeth straightening technique.

To see what just a few of the many thrilled patients are saying about Invisalign, please visit the Invisalign website www.invisalign.com.au If you want to find out more and to see whether you are a suitable candidate then make an appointment with us on 9822 2691. At the initial consultation we will check to see whether the crowding can be treated with Invisalign. We then need to organise special radiographs of the jaw and to take photographs and study models. Once we have all the information we can then advise as to cost and time. If you wish to proceed then special impressions are taken and together with copies of the x-rays and photos are all sent by courier to a specific Invisalign laboratory in the USA. The laboratory then supplies the surgery with  a treatment plan based on all the information we have supplied and once we approve it, a few weeks later they will deliver the aligners.

Fixed Braces

Metal brackets such as these are the most common way of straightening teeth and are simple to use and the dentist has infinite control of each tooth in the system. The braces consist of a bonded bracket placed on each tooth and connected with a flexible wire that is attached to the tooth with (coloured) elastics. This method of straightening teeth is commonly used when the jaw relationship is fairly good but the teeth are crooked. Rarely do we need to extract permanent teeth. The duration is normally around the 14-18 month period and the patient is seen every month for elastic and wire changes. To make the process more fun we can use coloured elastics and chains.

For a number of patients especially adults, clear porcelain brackets are much more aesthetic but treatment may take a little longer. The elastics are also clear and as with metal brackets are changed each month. Porcelain brackets are a bit more expensive and not quite as easy to remove as metal brackets. The treatment time may also be a little longer only because the friction between the brackets and wire is greater.

At the end of the straightening, the braces are removed and simple removable retainers are made and the use of the retainers are continued until stability is reached. This is variable for each patient. But night wear may continue for maybe years.

Jaw Development versus Tooth Extraction

For many years teeth were frequently extracted when crowding occurred often around 12 or 13 years of age. In fact treatment would often not commence even when crowding became obvious in much younger children. However, with the use, in most cases, of fairly simple removable appliances space can be created by gently expanding the arch form and contour. Commonly, two tooth spaces can be created and this leads to more pleasing aesthetics in adulthood. Fuller  smiles and better facial profiles are the result of jaw development as opposed to smaller narrower smiles created, in many instances, when teeth are extracted.

Appliances such as these are normally only needed for 8-9 months when the arch forms can be turned from narrow arches with high palates to nice rounded arch forms with flatter palates which also makes breathing through the nose much easier.

Arch form can be underdeveloped due to posture and tongue position, both of which may need to be corrected during this stage of dental orthopaedics.

Jaw relationships can also be corrected at this stage most frequently by drawing the lower jaw forward to correct over-jet and deep bites. Many such appliances have small gears which are turned every few days. This re-creates the gentle pressure of the tongue that is necessary for proper jaw development.

This young patient has very narrow upper and lower arches with a very high palate and little room for the rest of the adult teeth to erupt. Upper and lower expansion plates were used.

The same patient a few years alter after his initial expansion, allowing all his adult teeth to erupt. Braces can be used now to do a final tidying up. The alternative ( ie extractions) would have produced a smaller narrower arch form with dark spaces to the sides.

Quite often a combination of orthopaedics ( jaw development) and fixed braces is used. Treatment for many children can begin once most of the adult front teeth have erupted and the first permanent molars at the back are through. At this stage space requirements for future permanent teeth can be estimated and with some adult teeth fully erupted the plates can be more secure. A common sequence is to start treatment maybe around 7 or 8 years of age, create the room for the adult teeth. The use of the plates as retainers then keeps the extra width created for the other permanent teeth to erupt into. The plates during this stage are just worn at night.

Sometimes, there is no need for braces, but if the teeth have come into the mouth crooked then braces will straighten them quite easily as all the hard work has already been done by the plates.

Dos and Don'ts when wearing braces

Retainers are vital part of the treatment

Keep them very clean, you will be given a special toothbrush to help with this. Food debris slows the treatment and can cause decay and gum infections. Don't eat sticky foods such as toffees or chewing gum, avoid munching on hard brittle foods such as ice, quarter apples before eating them. Sugary, fizzy drinks should always be avoided to prevent cavities forming or as white rings around the braces. Inspect the brackets when cleaning to make sure the elastic rings are in place and the brackets are stable.

Wearing retainers keep the teeth where they are, you must wear them as instructed, otherwise the teeth can move around as growth and development continue. They should be removed regularly in order to clean them and your teeth. Every patient is different and you will be instructed how and when to wear your retainers. Although patients are seen less frequently retention is a very important part of the overall treatment. Sometimes, retainers are used at night for many years.