Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

All There Is to Know About Invisible Aligners

by Lillian Dixon

When it comes to orthodontic treatment today, invisible or clear aligners are some of the most sought-after applications. That's because unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are removable, nearly invisible (which is ideal if you work in the front office or interact with clients on the regular), feel more comfortable and come with fewer diet restrictions. Like with traditional braces, knowing what to expect from the orthodontic treatment will help you prepare for any lifestyle changes once you start using clear aligners. That in mind, here are some essential things you need to know about invisible braces.

They Are Not for Everyone

Clear aligners may be designed for both teenagers and adults, but they have limited candidacy. Your dentist needs to assess your dental problem first before recommending a set of invisible aligners for you. Generally, these aligners work well with mild to moderate malocclusion (tooth misalignment) cases. For severe cases, such as deep underbites or overbites and severely tipped or rotated teeth, consider traditional orthodontics instead.

You Have to Be Patient to Enjoy the Results

One of the major concerns for many people considering orthodontics is the length of treatment. Invisible braces or aligners tend to span several months.

It May Take A Few Days Before Getting Used to It

Wearing your invisible aligners may feel somewhat unnatural in the first few days. And one of the most common issues you may have to deal with is troubling speech. In most cases, you will notice a persistent lisp in your speech. Nevertheless, you should be able to adjust quickly to your invisible aligners after a few days but contact your dentist if you struggle to speak correctly for several days or weeks.

Personal Commitment Is Important to Your Recovery

Invisible aligners are designed to make eating food or brushing and flossing your teeth as easy and as comfortable as possible. All you need to do is remove them when you need to eat, floss or brush and put them back on when you're done. However, for the perfect results, you need to wear them for just about the entire 24 hours every day. Your dentist will tell you the exact number of hours to wear the aligners, but you have to be prepared to wear them for the recommended period. That's because if you don't wear your invisible aligners as often as is prescribed, you may have troubles fitting them comfortably. This could mean a new set of aligners, which would make your treatment more expensive. Speak with a dentist about invisible aligners or Invisalign to learn more. 


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About Me

Children's Sports and Dental Injuries

As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.