Misalignment of teeth is a common issue among many people. A huge percentage of Americans suffer from malocclusion, which includes conditions such as overlapped teeth, crooked teeth, crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, etc.

request an appointment

Treating malocclusion is beneficial from the aesthetic as well as from the hygienic point of view, as cleaning perfectly aligned teeth is much easier compared to that of crooked teeth. Also, it reduces the accumulation of food particles, debris and microbes in between the teeth. Dentists always advice their patients that it is best to get malocclusion treated at an early age as it provides much better results. Also, it would be easier for the teeth to move into their right places.

The most commonly used orthodontic appliances are dental braces and Invisalign. Dr Tanega would carefully examine your teeth to determine the extent of malocclusion and suggest the best option to treat them.

Dental Braces

Dental braces have brought smiles to millions of faces around the world. They solve complex malocclusion issues such as crowding, crossbite, overbite, underbite, etc.

Digital x-rays are taken to determine the exact position and inclination of the teeth. One or more teeth may have to be extracted before getting braces in order to make space for the teeth to move. Metal brackets are fixed onto the teeth with the help of adhesives and wires are made to run through them. Tightening the wires increases the pressure applied on the teeth, and vice versa, thereby helping to move the teeth as required.

To avoid detection, clear brackets and tooth-colored wires can be used. While wearing braces, maintaining proper oral health is very important as the food particles can easily get stuck in between the teeth and wires. Also, regular follow-up visits are required to check for progress and to make any adjustments, if required.

Invisalign

Invisalign is an advanced technology used to treat misaligned teeth. It helps to move the teeth by gently applying pressure on them. Since it is made from clear dental grade plastic, it is the perfect camouflaged aligner system which works in ‘disguise’. Due to this excellent feature, it is highly preferred by people who don’t wish to reveal their secret about getting their misaligned teeth treated.

Invisalign is a removable aligner. It has to be worn for at least 22 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be removed whenever the need arises (such as eating, drinking, brushing, and when you feel you need a break from them). Each aligner will have to be worn for 2 weeks, after which it will be replaced by a new one. The aligners will be fabricated with high precision, due to which the movement of the teeth during the course of the treatment can be tracked accurately.

Moreover, Invisalign is highly safe as it doesn’t have any sharp points or brackets which can injure you. With Invisalign, you no longer have to be embarrassed about wearing braces.

You may schedule a consultation with our Dentist in San Francisco CA  by calling us at (650) 794-0203 or reaching us through an online query. We’re always happy to help.