Uneven or crooked teeth are the main reason for deterring self-confidence in many teens and adults worldwide. We often see teenagers or high school kids wear braces for correction of their teeth alignment.  Here are a few reasons for faulty dentition in adults: *Heredity *Thumb sucking *Prolonged usage of a pacifier *Nail biting *Tongue thrusting *Bruxism *Mouth breathing All the reasons mentioned above are responsible for crooked teeth in adults. Hence there is a need to correct these abnormalities and align the teeth. Advantages of having aligned teeth are: *Improved oral hygiene maintenance *Improved smile *Improved esthetics *Reduced chances of getting TMJ problems in future *Even bite *Proper occlusion- which helps in equal force distribution among teeth *Sometimes, orthodontic treatment alone can improve a patient's facial profile All these lead to the improved self-confidence of a person. But few may not afford it during their schooling or are too afraid to get the treatment done, or may lack awareness about the treatment. What if they choose to get their treatment done when they are independent adults? What if they are in the public domain and find braces unappealing for their profession? Is there a second chance for such people? The answer is “yes.” A simple solution for the alignment of crooked teeth, without making you look unappealing, is using a new treatment method called Invisalign. Invisalign doesn't use any kind of braces that might hurt you or make you look and feel awkward. It uses clear aligners or transparent/clear trays that are both esthetically convincing and comfortable. A well-aligned dentition not only improves oral health but also boosts self-confidence. This immensely influences their public relations and confidence to meet people. A smile and teeth are the first features people notice when you walk into a room and are essential to communication and developing relationships. 

Different methods to align the teeth are: *Orthodontic teeth alignment *Camouflaging minor teeth defects using veneers and crowns Invisalign or clear aligners are the most painless, esthetic, and comfortable orthodontic treatment plan that one can opt for, without affecting their daily life much. So, teens and adults can absolutely go for orthodontic treatment with Invisalign without any hesitation. Invisalign is the rage among the new orthodontic techniques with increasing awareness among people about adult orthodontics and the growing promotion of cosmetic dentistry due to the usage of clear aligners instead of traditional metal braces. It has gained popularity in recent times due to the disadvantages of conventional braces.  Problems faced by patients with these traditional braces are: *Brackets may cause repeated ulcers in oral mucosa *Difficult to clean the teeth *Difficult to floss *Gingivitis due to food accumulation *Compromised esthetics during the course of treatment Hence Invisalign came into action. Invisalign, unlike traditional braces, uses clear trays or clear aligners made of thermoplastic materials. Your orthodontist delivers different trays to you from time to time depending upon the tooth movement once every 3 months.

It is advantageous over traditional braces in a few ways like: *Enhanced esthetics- as there is no awkward display of bonded brackets *Better maintenance of oral hygiene – as it can be removed during brushing and flossing *Better patient compliance – unlike traditional braces, there is no ulcer formation *No dietary restrictions, but it is best to remove the Invisalign tray before eating and put it back after eating as there is a risk of fracturing the tray while eating. How to use clear aligners: *You must visit your orthodontist regularly every 4 weeks to check on the tooth movement *Your orthodontist will provide you with different trays every 3-4 weeks *Trays must be worn for 20hr a day to see the results. *Time of treatment varies from patient to patient and the problems in the faulty dentition Much evidence confirms the relationship between mental health and oral health, and improved smiles play a significant part in it. You are never too late to start anything new, especially when it comes to improving your smile. So, please consult us at our office and explore different ways to improve your smile.