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 If your teeth are crowded or spaced too far apart, it may cause such problems
as swollen gums, redness or pocketing. All of these symptoms are signs of
periodontal disease.
Westpark Dental Associates uses Invisalign, the revolutionary and invisible
technology that allows you to have the smile of your dreams without bands,
brackets or wires, and treatments usually lasts only a year.
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about Invisalign.
Orthodontic appliances put pressure on your teeth and/or jaw, forcing them
into a more aligned form. Most orthodontic patients are in their early
teens and younger; however, orthodontic treatment at any age has become more
popular in recent years.
Orthodontic appliances such as braces and retainers are popular for their
aesthetic benefits; they can pull teeth together to close gaps and push teeth
apart to avoid overlaps. However, straightening your teeth improves more than
just your smile. Overlapped and crooked teeth can impair chewing and complicate
dental hygiene. In addition, recent evidence suggests that braces might play an
indirect role in preventing cardiovascular disease.
On average, traditional orthodontic treatment tends to take about two to two
and a half years. After a few initial assessment appointments, the orthodontist
will glue metal or clear brackets to your teeth, held together by a wire. If you
have an over or underbite, he or she may also assign headgear or a facebow to
push or pull your jaw into place. Typically, patients visit their dentist at
least once a month to have their braces checked and the wire holding your
brackets together tightened. When the braces are removed, you will have to wear
a retainer for a specified period of time to keep your new smile in place.
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