How To Straighten Your Teeth? Braces and Invisalign Explained

by | Jul 30, 2024 | Clear Aligners Treatment

how to straighten your teeth braces and invisalign explained

Are you wondering how to straighten your teeth? Teeth straightening is the process of meticulously shifting the position of the teeth and properly aligning them according to your correct bite. Force and pressure are applied over some time to treat teeth misalignments and bite issues.

The two main options for straightening teeth are fixed braces and clear aligners. But before we examine these orthodontic treatments more closely, let’s consider the advantages of straight teeth.

What are the benefits of straight teeth?

With teeth straightening treatments, issues such as underbites, overbites, crooked or spaced teeth, teeth crowding, deep bites, and open bites, among many others, are fixed. With your teeth straightened, here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:

  • Better oral and general health: Straight teeth are simpler to clean, decreasing the chance of cavities, gum disease, and other health issues. Poor dental health has been connected to several systemic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, and this can also help with general health.
  • Improved appearance and increased self-esteem: A straight smile enhances your facial aesthetics, giving you the confidence to smile more often. Increased self-esteem can positively impact your personal and professional life.
  • Healthier bite and jaw joints: Properly aligned teeth contribute to a balanced bite, reducing the strain on your jaw joints and muscles. This can alleviate temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) symptoms and prevent future jaw problems.
  • Enhanced quality of life: Straight teeth can improve speech, improve chewing efficiency, and provide a more comfortable oral experience overall.

But before you can experience these, you need to consider the options to help you decide which is most suitable.

How do you straighten your teeth? Your options

To get your teeth straightened, you must consult an orthodontist or a general dentist experienced in orthodontics. They know the best ways to align the teeth, as each patient’s needs differ. The main options for straightening the teeth are orthodontic treatments such as fixed braces and Invisalign.

Teeth straightening with braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common way to straighten teeth. They treat all tooth alignment and bite issues, from the simplest to the most complex. With metal brackets and wires attached to the teeth, your dentist can control the forces applied to each tooth to move the teeth into the desired position.

How to straighten the teeth with Invisalign?

Advances in dentistry paved the way for the invention of clear aligners. Patients love this treatment for many reasons, mainly its discretion and convenience.

Invisalign is for mild to moderate misalignments and involves wearing clear aligners to move the teeth into position. At the start of your Invisalign journey, our dentist will scan your teeth and inspect the severity of the case. From there, they will determine how many clear aligners are needed to complete your treatment. Before starting therapy, you can preview your smile, enabling the dentist to make real-time adjustments. This feature is not available for traditional braces.

Each clear aligner fits snugly over the teeth like a mouthguard. As the teeth shift, they move into the precision-formed aligner, making it more comfortable. The clear aligners are replaced with the next in the series every two weeks to continue the process. When the last aligner has been worn, the teeth should be in their desired positions. Dental visits are scheduled every six to eight weeks to monitor progress and ensure everything goes according to plan.

What is the best way to straighten the teeth?

Ultimately, the best teeth straightening method is different for everyone, so you need to visit your dentist for advice.

More complex cases, such as twisted teeth and severe misalignments, cannot be treated with Invisalign, and the only alternative may be fixed braces.

At My Local Dentists Northbridge, we are backed by dentists experienced in traditional braces and clear aligners, so we can provide you with a treatment plan that will work safely and efficiently!

Orthodontic Treatments is in Northbridge

Want to have straighter teeth?

If you are one of the 62% of Australians considering orthodontic treatment to get a more attractive straight smile, we are here for you! We are a multi-location clinic that will help you achieve your smile goals. Call today to schedule your visit.

Our dedicated team at My Local Dentists is ready to assist you with personalised orthodontic care. Whether you use traditional braces or Invisalign, we will ensure you receive the best therapy adapted to your needs.

Call us at (02) 8318 5966 or visit us at Shop 20A Northbridge Plaza, 79-113 Sailors Bay Road in Northbridge.

Don’t wait—transform your smile and boost your confidence today!