Visit with a dentist in Mebane at Steinbicker Family Dentistry for Invisalign treatment. Orthodontics involves the treatment of irregularities in the occlusion of teeth. Occlusion is how teeth fit together. Our dental office treats certain irregularities called malocclusion with Invisalign (i.e., clear retainers).
What other irregularities does Invisalign (i.e., orthodontics) treat?
Below are some of the dental issues that orthodontics corrects.
Dental underbites
An underbite is when the bottom teeth are in front of the top teeth. This type of occlusion can create problems when chewing. It can also lead to tooth wear. If teeth wear too much, they can break or possibly need root canal treatments.
Dental crossbites
A crossbite is when some of the bottom teeth are in front of the top teeth. In other words, the upper teeth lay inside of the bottom teeth.
Dental overbites
With an overbite, the top teeth protrude beyond the bottom teeth.
Dental crowding
Our dentists treated crowded teeth with clear aligners also called Invisalign. The treatment takes between 8 and 12 months. Our dentists change out retainers every two to three weeks.
Each visit the patient comes to our office; they receive a set of three retainers. Sometimes, we placed buttons on patients teeth. These buttons consist of composite filling material. We etch and bond the tooth, then add tooth-colored bonding material according to Invisalign’s treatment plan.
Other types of orthodontic procedures
Different types of orthodontic treatment include traditional braces. An orthodontist places these braces. One kind of metal brackets is called Damon braces. They do not use elastics like conventional braces. Traditional braces connect wires to elastic bands and move the teeth gradually.
It is imperative to maintain healthy gums and teeth when you have braces. An electric toothbrush helps patients clean their teeth more effectively (i.e., preventive treatment). An electric toothbrush reduces the chance a patient with orthodontics gets tooth decay.
Dental appliances
A palatal expander is a device that extends across the roof of the mouth. Expanding the palate allows more room for tooth movement. It helps for patients that have overcrowding. Another option to treat crowded teeth is tooth extractions. However, an expander would be the first choice.
What about dental treatment after braces?
Sometimes, patients can benefit from other treatments after Invisalign. For example, if a patient has lateral incisors that are narrow and short, we can place white fillings or crowns on them to make them match adjacent teeth. Our dentists perform these forms of cosmetic dentistry as well as other including bonding and veneers to improve your smile after braces.
Other times, a patient might be missing a tooth. After braces or clear retainers dentists replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is a fixed prosthesis that replaces a missing tooth. Other times, our dentists (i.e., Dr. Steinbicker) can restore the tooth with a dental implant.
Invisalign treatment
Our dentists make clear retainers for patients that get braces. These retainers keep the teeth in alignment, so they do not move. An orthodontist removes braces if you have a tooth emergency that needs attention.
If you have questions about Invisalign treatment, please contact us. You can tour our office in person or online. Read patient reviews to see what patients are saying about our dental practice. We hope that new patients visit our FAQ page for more information or to make an appointment!