Aesthetic dentistry and orthodontics have advanced significantly in recent years, and now many people are opting to uncover their most beautiful smiles and correct tooth misalignment issues straightened with invisible braces, sometimes referred to as clear aligners. This blog post will take a look at what causes gaps in teeth, what invisible braces are, the different types of these products on the market today, and some common questions answered by professionals in the field.
What is a diastema?
A diastema is a gap between two teeth, typically the front upper teeth. Diastemas can occur naturally or be caused by dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease. They can also be caused by habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
What causes gaps between teeth?
A diastema is a space or gap between two teeth, and is usually caused by genetics, poor dental hygiene, or trauma. Common causes of diastemas include:
- Genetics: Diastemas are often hereditary, and can be passed down from generation to generation. If your parents or grandparents had gaps in their teeth, you may be more likely to have them as well.
- Poor dental hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss your teeth properly, food and bacteria can build up in the spaces between your teeth and cause them to become larger over time.
- Trauma: An injury to the mouth can damage the structure of the teeth and cause them to shift apart.
What are invisible braces?
Invisible braces are a type of orthodontic appliance that are used to straighten teeth. They are made from clear, plastic material and are custom-made to fit over your teeth. Invisible braces are virtually invisible and are an alternative to traditional metal braces.
Invisible braces work by gradually moving your teeth into their desired position. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks before being replaced with the next set in the series. As you progress through each set of aligners, your teeth will become straighter and closer to their final desired position.
The average treatment time for invisible braces is around 12 months, but this can vary depending on the severity of your tooth misalignment. After treatment is completed, you will need to wear a retainer at night to maintain your new smile.
How do invisible braces fix diastemas?
To use invisible braces to fix diastemas, your dentist or orthodontist will take 3D scans of your teeth and create a custom treatment plan. They will then create custom-made invisible braces that you will need to wear for 20-22 hours a day. As you wear the aligners, they will gradually move your teeth closer together, closing the gap.
The entire process usually takes 9-18 months, depending on the severity of the diastema. After treatment is complete, you may need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position.
What are some of the advantages of invisible braces over traditional braces?
There are several advantages of invisible braces over traditional braces. Invisible braces are practically invisible, so no one will know you’re wearing them unless you tell them. They’re also more comfortable to wear than traditional braces.
Another advantage of invisible braces is that they can be removed for eating and drinking, so you don’t have to worry about food getting stuck in your braces. And since you can remove them for cleaning, it’s easy to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Overall, invisible braces offer a more convenient and comfortable experience than traditional braces. For more information, see how ALINA works.
Tips for best results with invisible braces
There are a few things you can do to ensure that your most beautiful smile shines through once you’ve completed your journey with invisible braces. Here are some tips:
- Always wear your trays for at least 22 hours a day. Having them out more than necessary may increase the overall treatment period.
- Never eat with your invisible braces in. While the material used to make the trays is very resilient, it isn’t designed for chewing.
- Only drink cold water while wearing your invisible braces. The trays of your invisible braces may become distorted or warp if exposed to warm liquids like coffee or tea. They may also take on stains if exposed to sugary or colored liquids like sodas or bottled drinks.
- Clean your invisible braces regularly! Whenever you brush your teeth, brush and rinse the aligner trays as well, to keep them clear of bacteria or debris.
How ALINA can help with teeth gaps
ALINA invisible braces are an innovative, non-invasive, and non-disruptive option for anyone seeking to treat any misalignment issues, including diastemas. That’s because our aligner trays feature:
- Better materials – ALINA crafts every tray of invisible braces with space-age materials approved by the US FDA, so you know that they’re safe and reliable.
- Better technology – Our AlinaSmile technology uses Ai to determine your most beautiful smile based on the position, not just of your teeth, but of all your facial features.
- Better results – With more than 25 years of expertise in revealing beautiful smiles, ALINA has uncovered thousands of smiles throughout the US, Canada, and the UK.
Treat misalignment issues with the best option on the market and book a consult today.
