Cosmetic
Invisalign
Invisalign is the best way to straighten your teeth without having to live with the "metal mouth" look of traditional braces. That's because Invisalign is a series of clear, removable, plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth.
What Is It?
Invisalign is kind of like invisible braces. It's also virtually clear, so most people around you probably won't even notice you're wearing it. Even better, it's comfortable—without wires and brackets that could irritate your mouth.
Invisalign is also more convenient than traditional braces. The aligners are easily removable, so you choose when you wear them. You're free to take them out whenever you need to. Eating, drinking... you name it. Even if you just need a break from wearing your aligners during a high school reunion or special work event, that's OK. But remember, you need to wear your aligners as prescribed by your doctor in order to achieve your treatment goals.
Invisalign aligners are made just for you with advanced 3-D computerized technology. Your clear aligners are custom-made for your teeth. And only your teeth. Little by little, and over a time determined between you and Dr. Bernal, your teeth will gently move to create the smile you've always wanted.
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How Does it Work?
And it's easy to get started. First, Dr. Bernal talks to you about your goals and examines your teeth to ensure they will benefit from the Invisalign system. He then writes an individualized treatment plan, takes detailed records of your teeth, and orders a full set of customized aligners for you.
You wear each pair of aligners for a two-week period, allowing your teeth to gradually evolve into a smile that shows off the real you. Treatment length varies, depending on your dental condition and the severity of your case. But often, a full program of treatment takes less than one year.
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Will It Work for Me?
Not only is Invisalign versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues, but it really works. And there are over half a million smiles to back that up. But a confident smile isn't the only benefit of correcting your dental issues with custom-made Invisalign aligners—your health can be positively impacted as well. Learn more about several common issues below that Dr. Bernal can work with you to correct.
Overly crowded teeth: This occurs when there is simply a lack of room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally. When left untreated, overly crowded teeth can cause dental decay, an increase in chances of gum disease, and can prevent the normal function of teeth.
Widely spaced teeth: This occurs with abnormal continued growth of the jaw bone. When teeth are missing, this issue can also be caused by the other teeth shifting due to extra space. Spacing issues in teeth can cause some periodontal diseases.
Crossbite: This occurs when the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. It causes one or more upper teeth to bite on the inside of the lower teeth, and can happen on both the front and/or the sides of the mouth. This issue can cause wear of the teeth, gum disease, and bone loss.
Overbite: What people commonly refer to as an "overbite" is known to dental professionals as "overjet." It occurs when the upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. It's typically caused by either genetics, bad oral habits, or over development of the bone that supports the teeth. This issue can lead to gum problems or irritation, and/or wear on the lower teeth and can cause painful jaw and joint problems.
Underbite: This occurs when the lower teeth protrude past the front teeth. It's usually caused by undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. It can also be caused by missing upper teeth. This issue can prevent the normal function of front teeth or molars which can lead to tooth wear. It can also cause painful jaw and joint problems.
Dr. Bernal will work with you to create a custom-designed program that will treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners, made for you, and only you.
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