Crooked, irregular teeth spoil your smile and make you feel self-conscious. Do you find yourself smiling with your mouth closed when photographed? Are there other ways you try to hide embarrassment over crooked or misaligned teeth? Orthodontics have made it possible for people to have straight, healthy smiles, even if their teeth are naturally crooked, gapped, crowded or otherwise misaligned. Unfortunately, not everyone naturally has straight teeth, and need something like Invisalign to correct them.
Plenty of patients don’t want obvious orthodontics, those traditional metal braces for example, announcing their dental work to the world. At Dentistry for Life we strive to provide the best orthodontics Philadelphia has to offer, while still maintaining the look of your natural teeth! Improving your smile can change your life. Instead of feeling self-conscious when you smile, you are proud to show your now straight teeth. Learn more about Philadelphia orthodontics treatments at Dentistry for Life
Upon hearing the word “orthodontics,” the first thing most people think of is conventional wire braces, that teenage rite of passage with a mouth full of metal.
At Dentistry for Life in Philadelphia orthodontics work wonders for our patients by aligning smiles and bites for beauty and comfort. However, when there is an option to straighten your teeth in an obvious way or without anyone knowing about it, the discreet method is the most likely path chosen.
Orthodontic treatments can make a world of difference if smiling makes you uncomfortable due to crooked or protruding teeth. They also can help improve overall oral health.In our practice in Philadelphia Invisalign is offered because it was designed specifically for people who want to get straight teeth but don’t want everyone to know they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Nearly every alignment problem that metal braces can correct, Invisalign can also address. Each patient is different, and a thorough examination will be needed to determine the right course of action.
When your teeth are straight, your smile not only looks better, it feels better and works better. Sometimes patients have smiles that look beautiful, but if their alignment is out of whack they can be in pain and their oral health can be threatened.
Some of the issues Invisalign treatment can help combat include:
Besides the aesthetic benefits of braces and aligners in orthodontics, and the way this treatment can eliminate jaw pain, straight teeth are set up to be healthier. It’s easier to thoroughly floss and brush straight teeth. There are fewer unreachable or hidden nooks and crannies where food, bacteria, and plaque can get stuck and fester. Which means a lower risk of developing tooth decay.
Orthodontics, generally, is the dental specialty focusing on diagnosing and treating tooth misalignments, known as malocclusions. Orthodontics comes from the Greek words “orthos,” meaning “correctly,” and “dontia,” referring to teeth.
The teeth move due to constant, gentle force placed on them by various appliances. Over time, the breakdown of bone and its rebuilding caused by the pressure results in movement.
Along with aesthetics, orthodontia can improve chewing and speaking ability. For many patients, it boosts overall oral health. Misaligned teeth are more difficult to clean. That makes tooth decay and gum disease more likely.
While many orthodontics patients are adolescents, there is no age limit for orthodontics, especially in the case of Invisalign.
Our Philadelphia Orthodontics straighten the teeth and align the jaw through guided tooth movement, treating bite irregularities referred to as "malocclusions". When teeth don’t fit together perfectly, Invisalign shifts them so they do work together properly. A typical Invisalign plan lasts an average of 12 months, though some cases take longer and others take less time, and involves the following:
Invisalign aligners move teeth a few at a time until they are all straight and look beautiful. Many Dentistry for Life patients follow their Invisalign orthodontics with a professional teeth-whitening treatment for a complete smile makeover.
Invisalign is administered by our highly trained, certified, and experienced Philadelphia Invisalign providers who have created hundreds of beautiful smiles using these nearly invisible teeth aligners. A treatment plan is carefully developed from start to finish and followed step by step until your smile is in complete alignment.
If your top and bottom teeth do not line up properly, then you may be a good candidate for orthodontics.
However, if you have severely crooked or rotated teeth, large gaps, or neuromuscular bite issues, then Invisalign may not be right for your specific needs. If you have severe gum disease, or decay in the teeth, those issues would need to be resolved before beginning treatment. Patients taking certain medications, such as bisphosphonate drugs for osteoporosis, are not good candidates for orthodontia. Tell the doctor about any medications or supplements you take, whether prescribed or over-the-counter. The best way to find out for sure is to come in for an appointment and get an exam, where we would review your complete medical history, and conduct a thorough examination of the mouth, teeth, and jaw. X-rays will provide a clear image of the position of your teeth. Our top Philadelphia dentist can diagnose what is going on in your mouth and recommend the best treatment available. Call or email our Philadelphia office and get started on straightening your teeth.
Invisalign is fast becoming the treatment of choice for teens and adults seeking straighter teeth.
Invisalign is non-invasive and doesn’t involve the laborious process of traditional braces. That includes follow-up visits to tighten them and sores inside your mouth from the wires. Invisalign doesn’t cause any of those issues and you will need far fewer visits to the dentist. Aside from discomfort from wires, traditional braces also can cause injuries from the wires, plaque buildup, discoloration, tooth decay, and problems eating. In fact, having traditional wire braces means you have to avoid many foods, including popcorn, candy, nuts, apples, corn on the cob, chips, and more.
Invisalign avoids all of that because you can simply take them out while you eat, drink, floss, and brush your teeth. And when you are wearing them, as the name implies, they’re practically invisible because they’re transparent, so you don’t have to feel less confident with them on. Finally, as opposed to traditional braces, the transparency of Invisalign aligners means you can see the improvements as they happen, rather than experiencing the full results only after the braces have been removed. This is why Invisalign is so popular and can benefit your journey for a straighter, healthier smile.
There are multiple ways to get straight teeth, though orthodontics is the ideal choice for many. Contact our Philadelphia dental office to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, to learn more about Philadelphia orthodontics, and how to achieve straighter teeth, or talk to our dentists to learn more about all the ways you can get a straight smile.
How long do I have to wear Invisalign aligners?
This varies from patient to patient and depends on exactly how much and what kind of straightening is needed to fix the specific issues in your mouth. On average, wearers have Invisalign for 12 to 18 months, but it can be longer.
How much does Invisalign cost?
The price for this type of tooth straightening depends on how much work is needed, which affects how long you wear Invisalign and how many aligners you will need. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign.
If your insurance provider does not or if you do not have insurance, you can ask about financing your Invisalign clear aligners during your consultation appointment.
Does insurance cover orthodontics like Invisalign?
Although some dental insurance plans do not cover orthodontics treatment, may do. You can find this out from your insurance provider.
Does orthodontics hurt?
Some patients may experience mild discomfort with their aligners initially and when changes are made. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen offer short-term pain relief.
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Philadelphia dentist offers saturday and sunday appointments.
Our office is located at 1601 Walnut Street #1217 in Philadelphia. We offer appointments seven days a week to make dental care convenient for you and your schedule:
