Understanding How Orthodontics Work

Orthodontics is all about the strategic movement of teeth, which hinges on the delicate balance between bone breakdown and rebuilding in the bone and periodontal ligament that surround your teeth. When we apply force to teeth, it triggers a lack of oxygen and fluid dynamics, leading to an inflammation response. This kicks off a chain reaction where bone-eating cells (osteoclasts) work in the compressed areas, and bone-building cells (osteoblasts) get busy in the stretched regions.

So why should you care about this if you're considering straightening your teeth?

Imagine your teeth connected to bone by a thin, yet sturdy, periodontal ligament. This ligament, full of nerves and blood vessels, gives your teeth just enough wiggle room. Apply pressure to a tooth, and you'll stretch the ligament on one side and squish it on the other, reducing blood flow and sparking an inflammatory response. Your body then sends in cells to either create space by removing bone or fill it up, depending on the need.

For this tooth-shifting to work, it needs consistent pressure—about 10 to 14 hours to start the movement. Interrupting this pressure means interrupting the process, which is why those "nighttime only" orthodontic gadgets probably won't do the trick.

Too much pressure can kill the tissues by cutting off blood flow, causing intense pain and delaying the process until the body can repair the damage. Traditional braces can hurt because the pressure from wire changes every 4 to 6 weeks isn't precise—it comes in unpredictable bursts.

That's exactly why I stopped using wires and brackets 20 years ago when Invisalign® came onto the scene. Invisalign® aligners apply a gentler, more consistent pressure for quicker tooth movement. Plus, the precision of the technology and material avoids the painful bursts associated with conventional braces.

In my experience with over 1600 cases, I've seen that Invisalign®, when used as directed, can halve the treatment time compared to braces and often at a lower cost. For most adults, I'm confident in saying Invisalign® is the way to go.

Ready to embark on the journey to a straighter smile with less discomfort and in half the time? Embrace the change with Invisalign®. Schedule your consultation today and discover why thousands have chosen this innovative treatment. Your perfect smile awaits!