Straight Teeth For Better Health

By Sina Reangber, DDS

Did you know that misaligned teeth can cause periodontal disease (gum disease)? This is due to bacteria living in the gums around crowded teeth being more difficult to clean, which allows the bacteria to fester and become more toxic and destructive than the normal bacteria. This misalignment may lead to periodontal disease and remains one of the most overlooked risk factors by many patients.

When there is mal-occlusion, or misaligned teeth, it is harder to brush and floss. It is difficult to get the brush bristles around the teeth, leaving a lot of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Over time, the tartar will continuously have bacteria growing. These bacteria will cause constant inflammation leading to periodontal disease which leads to gum recession, bone loss, and loose teeth.

Research has linked periodontal disease to many serious health conditions. The plaque that stays around the misaligned teeth causes chronic inflammation which may cause serious health concerns such as diabetes, strokes, respiratory infections, heart disease and pre-term or low birth weight babies.

If your teeth are misaligned, it could be more than a cosmetic issue. Undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth may be a critical part of ensuring your overall health. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that allows doctors to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable, nearly invisible, plastic appliances called aligners. Unlike traditional braces, these are removable, allowing you to brush and floss normally. This is a great benefit which helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Invisalign is the virtually invisible method to straighten your teeth without conventional metal braces. With Invisalign, a custom-molded set of transparent, removable aligners will progressively reposition your teeth. You can simply remove the aligners before eating, brushing, flossing, or special occasions. This technology is more comfortable and convenient that traditional braces. Patients do not experience the mouth abrasions caused by metal and wires, and the aligners are easy to clean. Adjustment appointments arent necessary, either.

To get started, we use 3-D computer imaging to design a comprehensive treatment plan. This allows you to preview the final positioning of your teeth before you start treatment. Yes, you will see your future smile before treatment begins. Then a lab will create a series of aligners to reposition your teeth over one to two years.

Transparent, removable, no-hassle orthodontia – now that should put a smile on your face.