As a teenager, when all your adult teeth are growing, you may experience a range of misalignment issues. If you avoid your dentist during this sensitive time, then your teeth can be crooked and misaligned; not only can this affect the appearance of your smile, but it can also cause a range of dental complications in the future. You must visit your dentist regularly during your teenage years so that any complications can be dealt with quickly and effectively. You will likely require orthodontic treatment, and if received at the right time, then you can enjoy good dental health for the whole of your life.
Some patients do not undergo orthodontic treatment as teenagers and subsequently suffer from crooked, misaligned teeth as adults. This can not only affect your self-confidence and self-esteem but also, as mentioned earlier, cause dental complications such as a greater likelihood of developing tooth decay and gum disease. This is because crooked teeth are difficult to clean in comparison to straight, neatly aligned teeth. Speak to your dentist and find out about undergoing orthodontic treatment. You can straighten your teeth at any age, and you will be pleased to know that there is no upper age limit.
Invisalign
Orthodontic treatment can be carried out using traditional braces, or you can have your teeth straightened using a clear aligner system such as Invisalign St John’s Wood. By speaking to your dentist, you will be able to find out what is right for you. Traditional braces are necessary for those with complex orthodontic issues and are commonly seen worn by teenagers. Clear aligner systems, such as Invisalign, are more commonly used for cosmetic orthodontic treatment but can also target complex orthodontic issues when necessary. Invisalign can be used to treat teeth that are crooked, misaligned, protruding at the front, overlapping, overcrowded or gapped and can also correct bite disorders.
If you wish to straighten your teeth with Invisalign and your orthodontic issues are more complicated than expected, your dentist can put together a combined treatment plan for you. This could consist of a tooth extraction, dental surgery or other orthodontic treatment.
With Invisalign, you can improve the appearance of your smile and improve your dental health. You will also be able to clean your teeth more effectively, which means there will be a lower chance of developing tooth decay or gum disease. The process itself takes between 6 and 18 months, depending on how complicated your orthodontic issues are. After that, it is important that you continue maintaining excellent dental hygiene and visit your dentist on a regular basis so that your teeth remain clean and healthy. To maintain your newly straightened teeth, you will need to wear an Invisalign retainer, which you can learn more about from your dentist. A retainer can help you to maintain the new alignment of your teeth; without a retainer, you may experience a relapse, and your teeth can become crooked and misaligned once more. Speak to your dentist soon and begin your journey to straight teeth.
