Contrary to what you may have heard about Invisalign in downtown Boston, it’s not all about vanity. The clear plastic aligners straighten your teeth without anyone even having to know, but it’s not all about how your teeth look. Invisalign can also improve the way your teeth function. Read this post to learn five non-aesthetic reasons to get Invisalign.
1. Stop Facial, Jaw, and Neck Pain
If your upper and lower jaw don’t fit together the way they should, it can put pressure on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cause you to clench your jaw and/or grind your teeth. Over time, this can erode your enamel, resulting in worn-down and sensitive teeth. Invisalign can correct bite alignment problems such as an overbite, underbite, and crossbite and put a stop to this discomfort.
2. More Efficient Digestion
Chewing your food is the first step in the digestion process. If your jaw or teeth are misaligned, you might not be able to chew properly. What that means is that your body won’t absorb all the nutrients that it could from the food you eat, leading to malnutrition.
3. Avoid Food Impaction
Food impaction is when a piece of food gets stuck in a gap between your teeth and attracts bacteria. These bacteria then feast upon the food and leave behind a harmful waste product that erodes your tooth enamel and causes cavities. Invisalign can more evenly space out your teeth so that food particles are less likely to get caught in between them.
4. Improve Speech
Your pronunciation is largely determined by the positioning of your teeth. For example, if you have an open bite (meaning your front teeth don’t come together all the way when you close your jaw), you might develop a lisp or even whistle when you say certain words. Many people have used Invisalign to improve their speaking voice.
5. Shorter Dental Cleanings
Most of us want to spend as little time in the dental chair as possible, and Invisalign can actually help you accomplish just that. If your teeth are crowded or misaligned, they can be hard to brush and floss, so you’re more likely to develop cavities and gum disease that require extensive treatment. Moreover, the cleaning instruments that your dental hygienist uses can be rendered ineffective, allowing bacteria in your mouth to escape removal during your cleaning.
As you can see, Invisalign can improve your smile by leaps and bounds, and not just in cosmetic ways. If you have misaligned teeth, talk to your dentist in downtown Boston to see if Invisalign is right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Althea Angel earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She has been at Devonshire Dental Associates in downtown Boston for more than a quarter of a century now, and loves every minute of her job. She has studied at some of the most prestigious post-graduate institutions in all of dentistry, including the Kois Center, the Pankey Institute, and the Seattle Study Club. Her practice offers Invisalign to correct all sorts of flaws in your smile, whether cosmetic or not. To learn more, or to schedule an Invisalign consultation, contact Devonshire Dental Associates at (617) 350-7474.