Braces aren't just for childern anyone. In fact, adults now cmpurise approxiimately 30 percent of patients who seek the help of an orthodontist to straighten teeth, colse gaps or just improve their smiles. In some cases, treatment consists of nothing more than removable appliances or retainers. In others, clear plastic brackets, instead of traditional metal ones, can be used.

Orthodontic treatment has the advantage of leaving the natural teeth Intact

One of the most exciting developments in moving teeth is lingual braces, appliances that are moundted behing the teeth and which are viturally imperceptible to others. There are limited situations where lingual braces can be used, however, and treatment can also cost more and take longer than with other devices. Neverthless many adults who otherwise would not have undergone orthodontic treatment have changed their smiles with these "hidden" appliances. In the long run, Orthodontics is the best solution for most people. Even if full crowns eventually will be needed, teeth
should be aligned properly forst.

And although rothodonitc treatment requires regular checkups and requires more time among the alternatives-usually takes six months to two years to complete - it has the advantage of leaving the natural teeth intact and being closest to a permanent soultion. Bonding, laminating or crowning, on the other hand, will usually require repair or periodic replacement.

Your may also consider a compromise soultion for you space problem.... Sometimes you can have the teeth moved to a more favorable position in just a few months, and then bond or laminate the teeth in this improved postion. The advantage to this is being able to better proportion the teeth. Of course, no treatment is problem-free, and orthodonics is no exception.

The beauty of bonding

Bonding falls under the second category of the three 'R's - restoration. In recent years, it has proved to be a hingly effective treatment ofr closing spaces between the teeth.

Composite resin, a plastic meterial, is applied to the teeth to make them wider in areas where gaps exist. BOnding also may be to close a space temporarily, until crowns are made, for example. On the other hand, if you are having the spaces closed through Orthodontics, even if some of your teeth are too dark, bonding can be used to lighten them while
the spaces are being closed. The procedure can be performed without anaesthesia in one clinic visit.

If you are closing gaps with bonding, also consider also consider taking care of any other visible defects such as rotated or broken teeth at the same time. As in most aeastetic problems, computer imaging can help show you how many teeth will need treatment. Aslo remember that gum diseso or bone loss must be treated before bonding takes place. The only exception to this ule is when your dentist believes that the loose teeth need to be splinted together.

Bonding six teeth to close spaces

Although Orthodontics is the best treqatment for patients with large spaces, somtimes a compromise plan can be achieved. Scuccess was acomplished for a patient by creating spaces between the adjacent teeth through cosmetic contouring and when closing the spaces with composite resin. The result was a totally new simle with well. proportioned teeth rather than two oversized front teeth closing the space. This procedure was acomplished in one appointment for
approximately one third the cost of crowing. The fact that the teeth did not have to be reduced for crowns, and that the erosion was also corrected with a more conservative procedure, was very impotant to this patient.

Crowing to close the gap

Although crowning can provide beautiful results - filling gaps and lightening color just like bonding - it is not the treatment of chooice for spaces between the teeth because it requires considerable reduction of natural tooth structure. However, in cases where teeth are badly damaged, these finly sculptured look-alikes are often appropriate.

Like laminating, crowing is a more time-consuming and costly procedure than bonding. Unlike bonded or laminated teeth, crowned teeth are not as likely to chip. However, replacement is required within five to fifteen years.

Occasionally, a space is so large that a patient prefers that a slight gap be left intentionally in the crowns for a more natural appearance.

There's more than one way

Contrary to popular belief, orthodontic straightening is not the only wat to reat crwoded teeth. Less expensive and less time-consuming methods may be used if the problem is not too severe. The Objective of esthetic treatment is to give an illusion of straight teeth. Although the teeth may not be in perfect alignment, if they give the impression that they re, the esthetic goal will have been reached.

Such an illusion can sometimes be cahieved with cosmetic cntouring, a simple and painless reshaping procedure performed by reducing some of the tooth structure with finely ground diamond burs. If cosmetic contouring isn't a viable solution, compoite resin bonding may be efrfective alternative because the fronts or backs of the teeth involved can be "built out" to fall in line with neighboring of the teeth. This procedure is ususally performed in conjunction with cosmtic contouring.

Crowning has limited use for crowded and crooked teeth because the orientation of the tooth to be crowned must be aligned compatibly with the surrounding teeth. If it isn't, the crown won't be able to copensate for the differnces. In other words, the same problem that existed with he natural tooth will also exist with the crown.

If Orthodontics is performed, the teeth eventually will become aligned compatibly. Sometimes this is the only solution for extremely malpositioned teeth. If you have crowded teeth, chances are orthodontic treatment will be your best bet for the longestlasting, most economical and best-looking solution.

Crowded or crooked teeth may require a combination of techniques described in this book. Your ideal treatment, for example, may include or thodontics to reposition the teeth followed by bonding or crowning ot improve esthetics. Although models can be used to show projected results, the choice of treatment ultimately depends upon your commitment of time and money, as well as your dental and esthetic needs.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics or straightening of teeth is the treatment procedurs ofr the malalingned teeth. The advantage of Orthodontics is primarly taken in patients between 9-18 years of age, it doesn't mean that it is just for kids. We have patients with the age of 50 years coming for or thodonitc treatment,
only problem is that it will take double time.

It involves putting braces, prefeably tooth coloured one on to the teeth an then aligning them with wires of different materials The treatment continues for 6-24 months, depending upon the severity of thecase and we have to give a retentin appliance, onece the treatment is completed to see that there is no replase of the condition.

INVIsalign

Invisalign invisibly straightens your teeth with a series of custom-moulded aligeners.

Forgent every thing you've heard about teeth straightening. Because now there's breakthrough technology that lets you get the smile you always wanted without bands, brakets or wires.

A clear alternative called invisalign.

By using a saries of clear removable aligners, Invisalign straightens your teeth right before your eyes. change them about every 2 weeks, your teeth will move-little by little, week by week-until they have moved to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed. Comportable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat,
drink, and floos as usual.

Less treatment time.

A typical Invisalign case takes about a year from start to finish. You'll see your doctor approximately every month to see how you're progressing. Each visit you'll be given additional aligners to continue your treatment. Commonly, the number of aliogners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but treatment time and number of aligners will
vary from case to case. Invisible. And comfortable.

Invisalign is an invisible solution. So you won't draw undue attention to your mouth while in tretment. In fact, virtually no one will know you're wearing them unless you tell. Comfortable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss as usual.

Is Invisalign for Me?

Invisalign can be used to treat the vast majority of common problems for adults and teens. Whether your smile needs minor improvements or more extensive adjustments, invisalign can certainly help. it's successful in treting overly crowded or widely speaced teeth. It can also relieve more comploex issues, including overbites, underbites and even crossbites. In fact, an Invisalign Certified Orthodontist or Dentist can use Invisalign clear aligners in all or part of just about any treatment plan.

Look your best during treatment. Invisaling is clear and practivally invisible, so nothing gets in the way of your new simle. No wonder Invisalign is the choice of over half a million people.

. Unobtrusive in business meetings or social gatherings

. No metal wires or hands to irritate your mouth

. Most people won't notice you're wearing aligners