Of all the areas that we can be self-conscious about, our teeth might be the trickiest. You can’t use shapewear or strategic lighting to disguise crooked teeth, gaps or overcrowding. Many people feel most self-conscious about their teeth, especially when the media constantly bombards us with perfect Hollywood smiles.
Misaligned teeth can have health implications, too. Crooked or overcrowded teeth, gaps and bite problems can even affect your breathing. It’s also much more difficult to keep overlapping teeth clean and prevent the buildup of plaque. You become more susceptible to bad breath and gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease. If you can correct your teeth, it should be done as soon as possible.
Fortunately, the world of orthodontic treatment has seen many advances over recent years. The 80s mouth full of metal has made way for something sleeker, but braces are still strongly associated with the awkward teen years. This alone is enough to dissuade many adults from tackling their teeth, even now that they have the means to do so. If that sounds familiar, we have good news for you.
Invisalign® is, as the name suggests, an invisible orthodontic solution. Using a thin, clean aligner, orthodontic corrections can be made without advertising it to the world. Once you’ve had a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist, your mouth will be x-rayed, and a mold will be made of your teeth. At Enamel Clinic, you can say goodbye to the unpleasant process of manual molding – we use the latest digital scanning technology to create a 3D digital model of your mouth.
This enables a custom-fitted set of aligners to be created and designed just for your specific dental needs. Aligners are similar in concept to an orthodontic retainer, upgraded and streamlined for a seamless, more comfortable experience. You can wear your aligner all day long if you need to. Instead of enduring regular orthodontic visits to get your braces tightened, you’ll simply switch to a new, slightly different set of aligners every two weeks.
Unlike traditional braces, you can remove your Invisalign® aligners before you eat. That means that no foods are off the table. You don’t have to worry about breaking wires, and it’s just as easy to floss your teeth as before. Just keep your aligners clean and maintain a good oral health routine.
While Invisalign® can be used for all ages, it busts the myth that adults can’t get orthodontic treatments. Its discreetness makes Invisalign® the perfect poster child for inclusive orthodontics – being an adult no longer means you’re doomed to bad teeth.
When fixing your teeth as an adult, the biggest difference is that you’re no longer growing. Your teeth continue to shift subtly throughout your life, but the major movements are generally over. This means that the treatment might take slightly longer. Some ingrained habits, like jaw clenching or smoking, can also affect the outcome of your treatment.
On the plus side, adults are generally more responsible than children, which means better adherence to the Invisalign® best practices. Children are notorious for taking their retainers out, getting them dirty or breaking them. As a rule, adults tend to have an easier time keeping their aligners in their mouths, where they belong. If you don’t wear your aligners enough, they won’t be able to shift your teeth as needed.
As mentioned above, Invisalign® is a great option for adults considering orthodontic treatment. Its discreetness means you can fly under the radar in the workplace, maintaining a professional appearance throughout your orthodontic treatment. You don’t have to feel self-conscious in the next group selfie – you can smile confidently, knowing your smile will soon be dazzling.
Getting orthodontics as an adult is fraught with fears and misconceptions, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With Invisalign® aligners, you can correct your teeth invisibly, so you don’t have to plan your life around your orthodontics.
The discreet Invisalign® system means you won’t need constant checkups. Instead, you’ll work with your dentist or orthodontist to ensure you meet your smile goals. Your new and improved smile is just around the corner – without wires, elastic bands, or a ban on ouma’s tameletjie.
At Enamel Clinic, we consider ourselves smile architects, working with you to create a holistic plan for bringing out the best of your pearly whites. Book a virtual consultation and start your smile journey with us!
