Invisible Braces in Hilton Head Island,
South Carolina
Dr. Bonnie Rothwell provides
invisible braces using the Invisalign system.
Many adults wish they
had straight teeth, but they don't want to wear braces. If that describes
you, Invisalign could be your perfect answer.
The pictures on the right show how inconspicuous this treatment is, and
how simple also. Dr. Rothwell has a set
of clear plastic aligners manufactured by computer—anywhere from twelve to
twenty-four sets of them. When you put the aligners in, they apply pressure to your teeth,
which causes them to move a little bit. Every two weeks, you put in a new set of
aligners. When you first put in the new set, it won't quite fit, but over
the following two weeks, your teeth will shift and the aligners will fit.
Then you put in a new set. Gradually,
over a period of six months to a year, your teeth will be moved until they
are completely straight.
Advantages of Invisalign
They are truly
invisible. From a conversational
distance, people can't tell that you are wearing them.
You have no food restrictions.
When you eat, simply remove the aligners and then re-insert them when
you are done.
It is easier to
brush and floss. It's awkward with
wire-and-bracket braces, because you have to thread the floss under the
wires. This is also time-consuming. But with Invisalign, just remove
the aligners and brush and floss normally.
It's much more comfortable. Metal brackets
have sharp edges that irritate your cheek and your tongue. These don't irritate at all.
You will be done in
less time. Conventional braces
typically need to be worn for two to three years. Invisalign usually takes one year or
even less.
Since
tooth movements are planned by the computer, they are more efficient and
therefore faster.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
Laboratory costs
for making the aligners are high, so invisible
braces are usually more expensive than
conventional braces.
It doesn't work for every patient.
Certain kinds of cases need to be treated with conventional braces.
Patient
cooperation is essential, so they may not be appropriate for some
teenagers. If the patient doesn't remember to wear the aligners, they're
useless. Some young people don't feel motivated to follow through with
treatment and resist reminders. For them, braces that are bonded to the
teeth will always be there and can't be lost. Teenagers also tend to
be less sensitive to the appearance of wires and brackets, so this may be the best
treatment for them.
Another good option for treating crooked teeth is
porcelain veneers. They
can make your teeth look straight in only a couple of appointments.
