Invisalign®

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Crooked teeth can be a hindrance to your confidence as well as cause oral health issues leading to further health issues overall. Misaligned teeth are hard to brush and floss effectively and patients with these malocclusions often suffer from cavities and gum disease. Numerous studies show that progressive gum disease contributes to compromised cardiovascular health as the bacteria in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream to the rest of the body. Misaligned teeth also usually wear unevenly, causing a breakdown of the enamel and structure of the teeth at a younger age than should normally occur.

Dr. Martinez at Ideal Dental Care in San Jose recommends having misaligned or crooked teeth treated to prevent these conditions from developing. In many cases where teeth are out of alignment or the bite is not aligned properly, Invisalign clear aligners provide an aesthetically pleasing and functionally equivalent alternative to traditional braces. Dr. Martinez is a certified Invisalign provider.

Clear aligners are made from a transparent, dental-grade plastic material. Digital scans are taken of the teeth, including the position and the patient’s bite in order to create a computer-aided plan of where the teeth need to be moved and even rotated. Clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours each day so that the pressure applied on the teeth is constant and moves the teeth into the pre-planned positions. The position of the teeth throughout the treatment plan is periodically checked and any necessary adjustments are made before the next set of trays are delivered and worn by the patient.

• Clear aligners do not have any metal components such as wires or brackets, as in the case of conventional dental braces. They greatly reduce the risk of oral injury when you take a hard blow to the mouth.

• Clear aligners are made from dental-grade transparent plastic material that is biocompatible. This makes the aligners easy to wear without causing any oral infections.

• They are removable. Whenever you have to eat food or brush your teeth, clear aligners can be removed until after you are finished and have brushed and flossed your teeth thoroughly. This reduces the occurrence of cavities forming due to not being able to effectively clean your teeth during orthodontic treatment.

• Crooked or misaligned teeth should be evaluated as early as possible and treated while the patient is still growing and developing. However, Invisalign clear aligners are also a great option for adults who are in need of orthodontic treatment at any age. Dr. Kenia Martinez, a certified Invisalign provider in San Jose, will provide a thorough evaluation and treatment plan.