If you feel self-conscious about your smile because your teeth are chipped, crooked, have spaces or crowded, you are missing out on one of the best parts of life. Smiling has been shown to release endorphins, which help improve our mood and help us deal with stress. It doesnāt have to be a genuine smile ā the actual physical act of smiling produces the same effects, whether you initially feel happy or not. Studies have shown that simply making yourself smile during moments of stress can help alleviate anxiety, keep your heart rate lower, and lead to other positive side effects.
Crooked teeth, uneven teeth, and teeth with large spaces are not just a cosmetic problem; they can create health and social problems, too. The good news is, itās possible to straighten overcrowded or misaligned teeth with expert dental care at Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Charlotte, NC.
Straight Teeth = Healthy Teeth
The American Dental Association has asserted that crooked teeth can impair your dental health. Crowded teeth or tooth gaps are more susceptible to infection because the gums donāt fit around the teeth securely. Misaligned teeth may also be more difficult to clean and floss properly, leading to a buildup of the plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay and/or gum infection.
A misaligned bite can also cause:
Jaw pain including temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Improper tooth and jaw function
Inadequate chewing
Wear on teeth
Speech impediments
Bone loss
The solution for tooth misalignment used to be dental braces made of metal brackets and wires. However, the discomfort and unattractive look of these braces created another level of self-consciousness for some people, and another reason to inhibit their smiles.
Invisalign: Braces Without Braces
Invisalign is a clear, virtually invisible dental aligner system that has helped create more than 1.5 million beautiful smiles. The Invisalign aligners are made of a proprietary material called SmartTrackĀ® that fit snugly over your teeth. The aligners gently and gradually straighten your teeth into a more functional, beautiful, and healthy alignment.
Most people will not even be able to tell you are wearing them. You will only remove the aligners to eat and brush your teeth. You can also place whitening gel in the aligners to get your teeth whiter while you are leveling and aligning them. Since the aligners are removable, but the more you wear them the faster your teeth and the quicker you finish treatment.
Invisalign is appropriate for people with:
Overbite
Underbite
Open bite
Crossbite
Crowded teeth
Tooth gaps
And because they are virtually undetectable, Invisalign can work at any age, from teens to seniors. Lots of busy professionals use Invisalign. You always have the flexibility to remove them if needed for a presentation or special event. Invisalign comes with many benefits that you can learn about here.
A Better Smile Starts With Your Teeth
At the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Patrick Broome has been trained and certified by Invisalign since 2004 and has hundreds of cases and has a extensive experience treating cases most doctors donāt think can be treated with Invisalign.
At your first appointment, we will evaluate your smile and provide you with an estimated treatment time which on average is 6 to 9 months. When you are ready to proceed with Invisalign we will obtain our digital records with one of our state-of-the-art digital scanners (3shape Trios or Cerec Ortho). Your digital models will be sent to Align and a virtual treatment plan is created for Dr. Broome to review and adjust based on your stated treatment goals. Once Dr. Broome has made his adjustments and finalized your plan your custom Invisalign aligners are 3D printed and shipped to Dr. Broomeās office. Each aligner progressively moves your teeth a little bit each week. You simply change out your current aligner for the next one.
We usually schedule six-week check-up appointments so we can evaluate your progress and provide you with your next series of aligners. We have found that periodic visits help us insure the very best results and fastest possible treatment.
Since Invisalign is a digital product, we are able to show you the simulated planned outcome as a movie. We typically email this to you once your treatment begins. Itās a fun way to see how amazing Invisalign treatment really can show you an animated movie of your planned treatment sequence. You can see the sequence and how each tooth moves in a predictable and planned manner to arrive at a level and aligned smile. Many patients love to see how their teeth will move and it helps Dr. Broome to monitor your treatment as you progress through each aligner. He will check and make sure you are on track and proceeding as planned. And because youāll be changing the aligners yourself, you will notice the difference as your teeth are gently and gradually moved into alignment.
After youāve achieved your goal alignment, youāll be fitted with a Vivera retainers which will maintain your results for the long-term.
More Comfort and Safety
Metal braces have rough brackets and sharp wires that may break and injure the mouth, teeth, and tongue. Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth composite material that doesnāt irritate your soft tissues. You may feel a bit sore for a day or two after you switch to a new aligner, but most of the time, you will barely be aware of their presence. You may also experience a slight lisp while speaking until your lips and tongue adjust to the aligners.
And unlike metal braces, which can cause damage to the soft tissues of the mouth if you are hit in the face during contact sports, the SmartTrackĀ® aligners are safe for all sports and activities. They may even help protect the teeth in the event of a blow to the mouth.
Best of all, because the aligners are virtually invisible, you can feel free to smile without feeling self-conscious.
Weāll Make You Smile From Start to Finish
If youāre ready to enjoy your smile, Dr. Broome ā one of Charlotteās most highly acclaimed dentists ā will ensure you have the finest care and treatment throughout your Invisalign experience.
Our office is designed to respect your comfort and the value of your time. The decor and atmosphere feel more like a luxurious spa than a dentistās office. We use advanced scheduling software so that you donāt waste hours waiting for your appointment; youāre seen and treated on time. You can even book all of your appointments online, for extra convenience. Call us for more information about Invisalign and to schedule an appointment at the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.
The information available on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace a medical consultation where a physician’s judgment may advise you about specific disorders, conditions and or treatment options. We hope the information will be useful for you to become more educated about your health care decisions.
If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact us at 704.364.4711