The word “occlusion” describes how your teeth are situated, or aligned. Malocclusion, or teeth misalignment, is often detected in early childhood and corrected through prescribed orthodontic treatment (like braces).

Though it’s often apparent in children, malocclusion can also affect adults, and is equally as important to correct in older patients as it is in our younger visitors. For image-conscious patients who wish to keep their orthodontic treatment anonymous, we may suggest Invisalign™ clear aligners as an adult alternative to conspicuous metal braces.

A Balancing Act

Regardless of how you feel about your crooked teeth, the most important consideration when it comes to orthodontic treatment is how well your mouth can function. Malocclusion can result from a number of issues, such as a difference in the sizes of your upper and lower jaws, or inconsistencies between the sizes of your jaws and teeth.

When your teeth and jaws aren’t sized, shaped, spaced, and aligned properly, they can’t distribute your bite’s pressure evenly, and undue stress can damage your teeth and your jaw’s joints (TMJs). Distorted alignment can also leave your teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease, caused by plaque hidden in your teeth’s odd angles and crevices.

Invisalign® Invisible Braces

Orthodontic treatment is carefully designed to reposition teeth where they can readily accept their share of your bite’s pressure. To accomplish this, braces use brackets attached to your teeth and arch wires that guide them with gently applied force. Invisalign follows the same principles of teeth movement, but without the need for brackets and wires, utilizing a series of clear aligners instead. Each aligner is custom-crafted to fit your smile’s contour while gently forcing them into their desired positions. The clear plastic makes them virtually invisible, and since the aligners are removable, they won’t interfere with your meals or your daily hygiene habits.