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Are you unhappy with your misaligned smile? You’re not alone.
Smile misalignments—termed “malocclusions” in professional dentistry circles—are common in all age groups. According to the latest available data, only 12% of the American population is naturally free of dental crowding. That means the other 88% must either receive orthodontic care as children or face adulthood with a crooked smile.
However, many adults didn’t grow up with access to orthodontic treatment. As a result, they often have to deal with a variety of health conditions associated with misaligned teeth, including:
- Lower oral function
- Altered facial appearance
- Increased risk of dental trauma
- Higher rates of dental decay and gum disease
- Lower self-confidence
- An aversion to smiling and speaking in social situations
To address these issues, many patients seek out orthodontic treatment well into adulthood.
Of course, like any other medical treatment, orthodontic treatments have evolved significantly in the past few decades. If you’re wondering how to fix misaligned teeth in adults the modern way, here’s what you need to know:
How to Fix Misaligned Teeth in Adults the Traditional Way: Fixed Dental Braces
If you’re like most people, you associate orthodontists with braces. Known for their ability to treat a wide variety of oral alignment issues, braces have been a staple of orthodontic treatment for over a century.
Braces are used to correct a range of alignment issues, including:
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
- Deep bites
- Crossbites
- Dental crowding
To treat these conditions, braces apply constant pressure on teeth to move them into a healthier position. As the teeth change alignment, the movement naturally stimulates bone growth in the jaw to support the new tooth positions.
Once the teeth have been successfully realigned, an orthodontist removes the braces and creates a removable retainer for the patient. This retainer helps stabilize the new alignment and prevents the teeth from reverting to their unhealthy position.
Advancements in technology have improved braces in many ways over the years. Some of the most important innovations include:
- Increased Patient Comfort: Recent hardware advancements have allowed orthodontists to reduce the size and weight of both brackets and wires. This means a more comfortable patient experience during treatment.
- More Inconspicuous Treatment Options: When many people think of braces, they think of large stainless steel wires placed on top of teeth. However, options like clear ceramic brackets and lingual braces, which are placed behind the teeth, can make braces less noticeable to others.
While braces have a long history of success, they are no longer the only way that patients can fix their alignment issues.
How to Fix Misaligned Teeth in Adults the Modern Way: Invisalign Treatment
Even though fixed braces are an effective treatment option for patients of all ages, many adults are wary of braces for a number of reasons. Some of the most common concerns about braces include that they:
- Are associated with teenagers
- Make oral care more difficult and time-consuming
- Restrict patients from certain dietary choices
- Are invasive to place, adjust, and remove
Invisalign offers a better way.
Formally approved by the FDA in 1998, Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses a series of clear aligners to bring teeth into proper alignment. Like braces, Invisalign aligners use pressure to move teeth into healthier positions. Each aligner set is designed to move teeth a few millimeters every two weeks or so. Once the patient’s teeth have moved a sufficient amount for one aligner, they move to the next aligner to repeat the process. This gradually realigns your smile over the course of treatment. The entire process can take only a few months.
The Benefits of Invisalign |
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Invisalign has become much more versatile recently thanks to advancements in aligner technology and orthodontic procedures. When Invisalign was first introduced to the public, only those with minor smile problems were able to qualify for treatment. In recent years, however, orthodontists like Beverly Hills Orthodontics’ own Dr. Monica Madan have discovered ways to use Invisalign in conjunction with other treatment approaches to correct more complicated bite problems and alignment issues.
Even if you weren’t considered a good candidate for Invisalign in the past, a consultation with Beverly Hills Orthodontics could reveal that this treatment is a viable option for you today.
Ready to Improve Your Smile?
At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we’re experts in how to fix misaligned teeth in adults. No matter what kind of alignment issues are affecting your smile, we can create a personalized plan to correct them in a way that works for you.
As a VIP Diamond+ Invisalign Provider, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is formally recognized as one of the top Invisalign providers in the country. Under Dr. Madan’s guidance, our team provides the highest-quality orthodontic care to patients of all ages, including adults. With our knowledge and experience, we’ll create a healthy, happy smile you can be proud to show the world.
