Often we adopt a poker-faced demeanor because we feel that we have no reason to smile.
Poor dental hygiene may have left us with discolored, broken or chipped teeth that can be resolved by teeth whitening or veneering.
However, some of our teeth problems go down deep, as in genetically-deep - a bite problem, crowded or severely crooked teeth that require orthodontic appliances like metal braces or retainers to fix.
Metal braces have lorded it over most orthodontic appliances for a few years but despite this, it has yet to become something patients look forward to, mainly because of the pain, discomfort, social embarrassment and cost.
The fact that you have to wear it and suffer for at least three years or maybe more makes it even more of a last resort option.
Until the advent of Invisalign braces, the clear way to get a Hollywood-worthy smile.
Invented in 1999, it is a type of orthodontic treatment that makes use of a series of clear, plastic aligners that gradually move teeth.
They took over wearing braces in a major way because not only are they more comfortable, they are also removable so that you can eat, brush and floss properly without feeling any pain or discomfort whatsoever.
They are the perfect solution for those who want to straighten their teeth without anybody knowing they're doing it.
They are practically invisible and the good news is unlike braces, you can remove them before you go to bed at night and wear them for up to a year or less depending on how fast your teeth respond to the treatment.
Unlike metal braces, you won't set off any alarms and you can eat whatever you like without worrying about bits and pieces of food getting stuck.
Of course, getting Invisalign treatments are not as easy as just going to the dentist and saying you want them.
Every potential Invisalign patient needs to undergo an initial consultation or a records appointment, during which you determine whether they are the best for you or not.
He will evaluate your teeth and your bite by taking photographs, dental impressions and a bite registration.
During this time, you can ask questions about how much the treatment will cost and how long will it take.
The next step to traversing the clear teeth-straightening route is for the dentist to come up with a treatment plan, which varies depending on the severity of your case.
It will contain information about your current dental state, how the dentist wants to treat you and what teeth-straightening options are recommended.
Your records will then be sent to the company that make the Invisalign aligners who will then do a digital scan of the impressions and bite registrations sent to create a 3D model of your upper and lower teeth.
A technician at the dentist's office will then create an on-screen animation of your digital scans to show every stage of the treatment plan your dentist came up with and explain to you how your teeth should look in every stage.
This also gives your dentist a chance to evaluate your teeth from every angle and make necessary changes if needed.
Once your treatment plan gets approved, the dentist will send the information back to the Invisalign makers who will then get to work on making your aligners.
Usually about 15 to 30 aligners are made but it can also be more depending on the severity of your case.
Each aligner is made to accommodate the projected condition your teeth need to be in at particular stages of the treatment since Invisalign is designed to be replaced every two weeks as the treatment progresses.
The aligners usually take 3 weeks to make.
And finally, once your aligners are ready and fitted over teeth, the dentist will discuss with you how long the treatment will take and give you instructions on how long you need to wear them and how to care for them.
They will also tell you when you first check-up will be.
Poor dental hygiene may have left us with discolored, broken or chipped teeth that can be resolved by teeth whitening or veneering.
However, some of our teeth problems go down deep, as in genetically-deep - a bite problem, crowded or severely crooked teeth that require orthodontic appliances like metal braces or retainers to fix.
Metal braces have lorded it over most orthodontic appliances for a few years but despite this, it has yet to become something patients look forward to, mainly because of the pain, discomfort, social embarrassment and cost.
The fact that you have to wear it and suffer for at least three years or maybe more makes it even more of a last resort option.
Until the advent of Invisalign braces, the clear way to get a Hollywood-worthy smile.
Invented in 1999, it is a type of orthodontic treatment that makes use of a series of clear, plastic aligners that gradually move teeth.
They took over wearing braces in a major way because not only are they more comfortable, they are also removable so that you can eat, brush and floss properly without feeling any pain or discomfort whatsoever.
They are the perfect solution for those who want to straighten their teeth without anybody knowing they're doing it.
They are practically invisible and the good news is unlike braces, you can remove them before you go to bed at night and wear them for up to a year or less depending on how fast your teeth respond to the treatment.
Unlike metal braces, you won't set off any alarms and you can eat whatever you like without worrying about bits and pieces of food getting stuck.
Of course, getting Invisalign treatments are not as easy as just going to the dentist and saying you want them.
Every potential Invisalign patient needs to undergo an initial consultation or a records appointment, during which you determine whether they are the best for you or not.
He will evaluate your teeth and your bite by taking photographs, dental impressions and a bite registration.
During this time, you can ask questions about how much the treatment will cost and how long will it take.
The next step to traversing the clear teeth-straightening route is for the dentist to come up with a treatment plan, which varies depending on the severity of your case.
It will contain information about your current dental state, how the dentist wants to treat you and what teeth-straightening options are recommended.
Your records will then be sent to the company that make the Invisalign aligners who will then do a digital scan of the impressions and bite registrations sent to create a 3D model of your upper and lower teeth.
A technician at the dentist's office will then create an on-screen animation of your digital scans to show every stage of the treatment plan your dentist came up with and explain to you how your teeth should look in every stage.
This also gives your dentist a chance to evaluate your teeth from every angle and make necessary changes if needed.
Once your treatment plan gets approved, the dentist will send the information back to the Invisalign makers who will then get to work on making your aligners.
Usually about 15 to 30 aligners are made but it can also be more depending on the severity of your case.
Each aligner is made to accommodate the projected condition your teeth need to be in at particular stages of the treatment since Invisalign is designed to be replaced every two weeks as the treatment progresses.
The aligners usually take 3 weeks to make.
And finally, once your aligners are ready and fitted over teeth, the dentist will discuss with you how long the treatment will take and give you instructions on how long you need to wear them and how to care for them.
They will also tell you when you first check-up will be.
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