our upper and lower teeth are fixed in your mouth in a specific way, thanks to the position of your jaws and the way teeth grow in, which is collectively known as your bite. A normal bite is one where your upper jaw fits slightly over your lower one, and the molar points on both fit the grooves of the other.
Malocclusion occurs when the teeth are out of alignment in some way, either due to the position of the jaws, the direction teeth grow in, genetic issues, thumbsucking for too long, or poorly fitting dental devices. Dental braces, such as Invisalign®, help to slowly move teeth back into proper alignment. However, to maintain the effect of this treatment, retainers are essential.
East Village, Manhattan, New York, residents looking to keep their teeth straight can rely on the team of Dr. Adam Nusblatt and the Nusblatt Dental staff to help with a range of services, including Invisalign and retainers.
Braces work by use of wires or trays to exert pressure on teeth over time to force them into alignment, and Invisalign accomplishes this with clear aligner trays made of a thermoplastic called SmatTrack®. The transparent trays used to align teeth are far less visible than the traditional wireframe braces, and they’ve become a widely popular orthodontic option.
To straighten teeth with Invisalign, Dr. Nusblatt starts with getting a 3D image of your mouth and jaw to map out the current position of your teeth, determine a realistic finished look, and map the plan to move from beginning to end. Then, he fits you with customized aligner trays to add gradual pressure and force changes in the teeth’s position, with new sets made and fitted every week or two.
They need to be worn up to 22 hours daily over a period of a year or more, depending on your needs.
Once the Invisalign treatment has done its work, your teeth still need help to maintain the new alignment; otherwise, they shift back to their old positions over time. This is where orthodontic retention comes in; retainers keep teeth in the new alignment while your mouth's bones, muscles, and gums adjust to the new positions teeth are in.
Retainers used after Invisalign treatments are also clear trays, so you’ll still have the benefit of wearing them without being noticed.
After the final Invisalign tray sets the teeth in their proper alignment, the same type of scan creates a picture of the new alignment, and the Invisalign lab manufactures Vivera retainer trays from a durable plastic for you to use. You wear them full-time for up to six months, and then nightly from that point forward for as long as you want to maintain straighter teeth.
Braces like Invisalign give you the smile you want, and retainers make sure you keep that smile for as long as possible. If you need retainers after Invisalign treatment or other treatments for straightening your teeth, make an appointment with Dr. Nusblatt and the Nusblatt Dental team today.
