At Porteous and Burke Family Dentistry, we work to create beautiful, healthy smiles for all of our patients. In many cases, patients want to get their teeth straightened for aesthetic reasons. What you may not know is that by straightening your teeth, you are not only coming away with a great smile, you are also contributing to the overall health of your mouth.

​

Why is straightening your teeth good for your mouth?

When you have straight teeth they are easier to clean. When you don’t have enough space between your teeth from crowding, this can result in hard-to-reach areas for your toothbrush and floss. Crowded teeth may result in a hiding place for extra food debris, which can increase your chances for bacteria and plaque. Because it is so difficult to brush and floss when you have crowding, it may result in you not doing those things as often. Forgetting to brush and floss can lead to gum inflammation and bacteria, among other things. Having straight teeth allows you to get an even brush and floss more often which contributes to a healthier mouth.

​

On the other hand, having too much space between teeth can also result in a number of issues. When food is able to lodge between two teeth, cavities and gum disease are more likely to occur. Once you have straightened your teeth, your gums will fit more comfortably and securely around each individual tooth, preventing bits of food from settling between your teeth.

​

Chewing and speaking patterns are also affected positively when your teeth are straightened.  When your teeth are not aligned, you increase your chances of chipping a tooth. Children, teens and adults of all ages can reap the benefits of having clear speech.

​

Lastly, teeth that are aligned can cause less stress on the bones that support your mouth, such as your jaw. This could result in surgical procedures to fix these issues.

​

When you make the choice to have your teeth straightened, not only will you be able to walk around with a smile you are proud of, you will be contributing to the overall health of your mouth, bones, and teeth.

​

Orthodontic treatment is for patients of all ages.  Today we know that if we want our teeth to stay healthy for a lifetime, teeth need to be in an ideal position.  The ideal position of teeth is critical for longterm gum health and prevention of excess wear, chipping and damage that occurs from daily use.  Thanks to advancements in subtle orthodontics, adults are beginning to represent almost half of all orthodontic patients in the U.S.

 

To see if you would be a good candidate for Invisalign,  and to discuss Invisalign in the Rodeo CA area, call our office today! 510-799-4746 

​

For more information on Invisalign, please visit www.invisalign.com.

 

What is the process for Invisalign at Porteous & Burke Dentistry?

• Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets.

• The aligners are made through a combination of our Doctors expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.

• You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

• As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position Drs. Porteous and Burke have prescribed.

• You’ll visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

• Total treatment time averages 9 – 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

​