You probably don’t need a professional opinion to tell you that straightening crooked teeth can significantly improve your smile’s appearance. Still, as an adult, you might be hesitant about wearing metal braces, especially if your image and confidence are an important part of your professional life. Unfortunately, vanity doesn’t change the fact that, without proper treatment, crooked teeth can do more damage than just making your smile seem asymmetrical. Misaligned teeth (malocclusion) can also negatively affect the proper function of your bite and lead to more serious issues down the road.
The Point of Straight Teeth
Socially, your smile is one of the most potent focal points of your entire image, and its appearance has a big impact on your self-confidence. Biologically, the alignment of your teeth has little to do with appearance and more with the distribution of your bite’s pressure (among other things). As you bite down and your teeth make contact, all of them should meet roughly at the same time. When one or more of them are out of alignment, some of your teeth can meet early, taking on more pressure than they can withstand.
How to Do It Discreetly
Knowing that orthodontic treatment can improve and prolong your dental health might not do much to ease your apprehensions about wearing metal braces. With Invisalign® clear braces, you can enjoy a beautiful, symmetrical, and properly-functioning smile without the visibility of traditional braces. Invisalign consists of a series of clear acrylic aligners that fit snugly over your teeth. Unlike a traditional mouthguard, however, the invisible aligners are designed to gently guide your teeth into more appropriate positions, and to do so without drawing attention to your orthodontic treatment. Since they can be removed, the aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without having to drastically change your eating habits or hygiene practices.
ABOUT YOUR LAFAYETTE DENTIST:
To request more information about how to modern dentistry can help restore and maintain your oral health, or to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning with Dr. Young, contact our Lafayette dentist office at 337-237-6453. We serve families living in Breaux Bridge, Broussard, Scott, Youngsville, and surrounding communities. Dr. Young also invites you to find us on Facebook, where you’ll find news, tips, and valuable resources.