Many adults believe orthodontic treatment is only for teenagers. At Cheng H. Tai, DDS, in Midtown Manhattan, New York, we help patients of all ages achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.
If you want to straighten your teeth discreetly, Invisalign® clear aligners may be the perfect solution. Dr. Cheng H. Tai provides customized cosmetic care using advanced technology to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique dental anatomy.
Straightening your teeth is a medical procedure that requires expert, in-person supervision. Some patients consider mail-order, direct-to-consumer aligners to save time.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies clear aligners as prescription devices. Without an in-person exam, unsupervised aligners can lead to serious dental issues.
The FDA has received reports of worsening pain, bite problems, and new gaps associated with some mail-order aligner systems. At our office, Dr. Tai monitors your progress to protect your bone and root health.
Adult teeth often have different shapes and gum support than adolescent teeth. When we straighten crowded teeth, small dark gaps called “black triangles” can sometimes appear near the gumline.
A study in Diagnostics notes that these open spaces are a common mechanical reality for adults, even those with healthy gums.
To resolve this, we can perform a precise technique called interproximal reduction (IPR). A systematic review in BMC Oral Health explains that IPR gently polishes away tiny fractions of enamel from the sides of your teeth.
This reshapes the sides of your teeth to create broader contact areas, which can help reduce or eliminate dark gaps between teeth.
Clear aligners are popular because you can remove them to eat and brush, but they only work when they’re in your mouth. In a study of 2,644 adult patients published in Progress in Orthodontics, only 45.5% successfully wore their aligners for the required time.
You must commit to wearing your trays for at least 22 hours every day. Removing them for too long allows your teeth to shift back.
This interrupts the bone remodeling process and extends your treatment timeline. We recommend anchoring your aligner routine to daily habits, like putting them back in immediately after brushing.
Achieving a straighter smile as an adult is highly rewarding and completely achievable. Dr. Tai and our team are here to guide you through every step of your Invisalign journey. We combine clinical expertise with advanced technology to give you a comfortable, seamless experience.
To learn more about our cosmetic services, schedule a visit with Dr. Tai today.
