As you grow older it’s possible of the alignment of your teeth to gradually change. This is even more likely to be an issue if you previously struggled with chronic periodontal disease or you lost a tooth.
If the alignment problem is allowed to persist, various teeth in your bite pattern can be left at increasing risk of suffering from dental attrition or dental fractures. Even if Dr. Melissa Maus repairs the damaged tooth enamel with a dental filling or a dental crown the underlying alignment problem will likely still exist.
In cases such as this Dr. Melissa Maus might recommend fitting you for Invisalign® to gradually correct the minor deviations in the alignment of your teeth. They are special clear plastic aligners designed to match the unique shape of your teeth and bite pattern. Switching from one set to another every two weeks will gradually adjust the position of your teeth to help reduce your chances of suffering further dental attrition problems.
You will need to have the clear plastic aligners in your mouth for a minimum of 20 hours per day. Every two weeks you will need to change to a new set of aligners. Most people meet their alignment goals in around six to eight weeks.
Dr. Melissa Maus will likely provide you with a removable clear plastic retainer for a few weeks after the alignment of your teeth has been fully corrected. This will help to ensure your teeth retain their newly corrected alignment for many years to come.
If you live in the San Francisco, California, area you have uncorrected alignment issues with your teeth, you should call 415-781-0819 to speak to a Melissa Maus & Associates orthodontist about Invisalign®.