Orthodontic tools: braces and Invisalign in Glasgow

Orthodontics is an old and technically non-invasive part of dentistry, though not many people would think so based on their reaction to standard metal braces! But it doesn’t have to be like this. Let’s look at some modern orthodontic tools like Invisalign in Glasgow.

glasgow-invisalign

Teeth are in a constant state of motion; their rate of movement is fairly low, but they constantly shift backwards and forwards, responding to the forces put on them. At the base of every tooth is a set of tendons, as well as around the sides of the root to the jawbone with the top of the root fused into the jawbone itself. The teeth sway under forces put on them before returning to their positions; this is part of what gives teeth their strength by permitting a degree of flexibility.

If a force is consistently applied in one direction to a tooth, it will adopt a new position, almost like training the branch of a tree into a new direction with a coil of wire. The coil of wire in our analogy represents orthodontic tools, and although based on the same principle, how they affect the patient’s everyday life can be quite different.

Invisible aligners

Invisalign in Glasgow is a type of clear aligner; these plastic gum shield-like forms must be worn over your teeth. They are relatively thin and completely translucent to make them as subtle as possible.

Each clear aligner comes in sets and should be worn for two weeks before moving on to the next in the sequence, which must be completed in order. Their order is very important; within each aligner is the force and shape to push your teeth a little further towards their final position before handing off to the next one. When you first put on the aligner in the sequence, it will feel tight and consistent pressure will be applied to your teeth over the two weeks. Eventually, they will become looser, which is a sign that it is time to move on to the next aligner.

Traditional metal braces

Traditional metal braces store energy in an archwire that is transmitted via the brackets into the teeth. By tightening the archwire and altering the positions of the brackets, the brace will push or pull the teeth, changing their positions promptly with more force.

Retainers

Retainers are not really orthodontic tools in the sense of moving teeth, but they do preserve the progress made by other tools. The tendons that are attached to each root inside the gum are placed under tension by orthodontic treatment and can pull teeth back to their original positions in a process called reversion.

Holding your teeth in their new locations for long enough reduces the tension in those tendons, and the chances of reversion fade over time, thanks to retainers. So, be sure to keep your retainers in!

What’s right for you

Exactly which tools are most suited to a particular misalignment is very individual and requires careful examination of patients by our team. If you have a preference, you should mention this to our dentist. Invisalign in Glasgow is very popular but not universally helpful, especially if molars need to be repositioned.