Orthodontics: the art of realigning teeth
Mispositioned teeth have always been a major issue for humanity both for aesthetic and health reasons, and these can be treated with Invisalign Weybridge.
Early forms of braces have been detected in archaeological samples, such as in Egyptian mummies. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, is one of the first known scientists to write about misaligned teeth and their treatments, however an ancient Roman writer has also written about this.
Orthodontics however started to truly develop into its modern form in the 18th century. Until the discovery of dental adhesives in the 20th century, orthodontic braces usually exerted the pressure required for realigning teeth through metal wires wrapped around each tooth.
They were usually made out of silver or gold, however later they have been replaced by stainless steel, which made orthodontic treatments accessible to the wider population through significantly reducing its costs.
With the discovery of dental adhesives, metal braces with brackets started to appear, which was a much less visible solution in comparison to headgears.
Recent developments include invisible aligners: these are personalised moulds of the mouth made out of a transparent plastic, which fit the teeth perfectly. They are usually removable, and almost completely invisible. A series of these aligners is made during the treatments as the realignment progresses.
One of the most famous brands of Invisible Aligners is Invisalign, which you can get at Weybridge Orthodontics.
How does Invisalign work and what does the treatment look like?
Invisible aligners are custom made in order to fit the highly uniquely structured teeth of different individuals. First it must be confirmed that you are suitable for treatment by invisible aligners.
Certain conditions rule out the possibility of being treated by Invisalign: this includes overly large gaps between teeth, protrusions and extrusions and even some specific tooth shapes!
For example, if your teeth are very round or short, the aligners cannot have the necessary grip on them. With a thorough examination your dentist confirms with you whether your individual situation is suitable for Invisalign treatment.
Once this is confirmed, a 3D Image is taken from your mouth. This helps your orthodontist design the series of aligners required for your treatment. The good news is, that no ionising radiation, such as X-rays are used, which are known to be harmful if frequently used.
The imaging procedure is completely safe and radiation free. After this is done, you will be given a series of aligners. It is important to note that you must wear these at least 22 hours a day.
You are advised to remove them while eating or drinking coloured drinks (coffee, red wine) to prevent the staining of the aligners.
Regularly cleaning them is also recommended. If you think you would be unable to commit to wearing the aligners almost constantly, maybe a not removable option would be more suitable for you. There is no reason to worry!
There are many alternatives to invisible aligners, for example the Incognito lingual braces.
These work just like traditional braces, however they are almost completely invisible as well: the brackets and the wires are located on the inside of the teeth, making them a suitable alternative to invisible aligners.
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