Questions Adults May Have About Correcting Misaligned Teeth
Posted on: 15 November 2018
Your smile is an important and very noticeable feature of your appearance. For those that have flaws in their smiles that they want to be corrected, there are numerous treatment procedures that can be used. In particular, straightening is a commonly requested treatment by these patients since tooth alignment problems are both very common and extremely noticeable.
Is It Possible for an Adult's Teeth to Become Misaligned?
It is a common assumption that tooth alignment issues will always develop when a person is young. However, there are a variety of dental issues that an adult can experience that may contribute to the development of alignment problems. One of the more common issues can result from having a back tooth extracted. When one of your teeth is missing, the others can shift positions. Additionally, severe gum disease can also contribute to this problem as it will lead to periodontal disease, which is an erosion of the jaw bone.
Are Invisalign Retainers More Painful Than Standard Braces?
To avoid the embarrassment of wearing highly visible metal braces, many individuals will prefer to opt for Invisalign due to its use of clear retainers to straighten the teeth. Some cosmetic dental patients may be concerned about using this option due to the assumption that it will be far more painful. Yet, the discomfort from these retainers is often far more mild than what traditional braces would cause. Furthermore, the adjustments that are made to these retainers can be more gradual than traditional braces, which can help to lessen the discomfort from tightening these corrective devices.
How Do You Clean the Straightening Retainers?
A key advantage of using straightening retainers is that they can be removed when the patient is eating or when they are needing to be cleaned. Patients that wear traditional braces will often struggle to effectively clean them due to the various crevices that can be found in the wiring and brackets. Conversely, straightening retainers can simply be removed so that they can be wiped clean and sanitized. In most instances, patients should be able to clean their retainers in only a few minutes. Unfortunately, failing to keep the retainer clean can have some consequences for the patient. For example, the patient may find that they suffer from chronic bad breather or are more prone to infections or decay. To avoid these issues, the retainers should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a day, but you may also want to rinse the retainer if anything gets on it.
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