Invisalign clear aligner treatment provides more than just straight teeth
Malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, is a systemic health problem and not just an esthetic issue. Misaligned teeth create an array of health problems which, in turn, hinder the individual’s overall health. When teeth are crowded and overlapped with each other, food particles can easily get trapped in between the teeth and underneath the gums. Compounding this problem, it is difficult to floss and properly clean these areas and large amounts of infectious bacteria form on the layers of trapped food. This leads to chronic periodontal disease that is causally linked to cardiac health. The bacteria in the mouth and its related toxins eventually travel through the blood circulation and can damage arteries and cause heart disease.
Invisalign clear aligners have proven to be quite effective in treating malocclusion and many patients appreciate not having to wear brackets and wires. Some forms of malocclusion that Dr. Melko in Sunnyvale, CA can correct with Invisalign:
Overbite
An overbite can cause cold sensitivity, receding gums, indentations at the gum line, chipping or wearing of teeth, dry mouth, and headaches.
Gapped teeth
Gapped teeth indicate excessive space between the teeth, causing bad breath, trapped food between teeth, and lisping.
Narrow arch
Signs and symptoms of a narrow arch are cold sensitivity, receding gums, indentations at the gum line, chipping or wearing of the teeth, jaw pain, and headache.
Crowding of teeth
Crowding of teeth includes overlapped, tilted, or rotated teeth and can cause chipping or wear of the teeth, trapped food between teeth and underneath the gums, bad breath, jaw pain, headaches, and accidental lip-biting.
Edge to edge bite
An edge-to-edge bite is caused when the front upper and lower teeth are misaligned and the biting edges meet, causing problems with chewing, cold sensitivity, receding gums, indentations at the gum line, chipping, or wearing of the teeth, jaw pain, and headaches.
Open bite
When the front upper and lower teeth do not meet when a patient bites down, this is considered an open bite. Some signs and symptoms of an open bite are difficulties with chewing, chipping, and wearing of the teeth, dry mouth breathing.
Overjet
When the front teeth protrude outward, horizontally over the lower teeth, this is called an overjet. This condition causes chipping or wearing of teeth, dry mouth, and mouth breathing.
If any one or more of these malocclusions are left untreated, the teeth will wear down excessively and prematurely, and any number of additional problems may develop including loss of vertical height of the tooth, sharp irregular edges due to incremental, progressive loss of tooth structure and flat, saucer-shaped surfaces on the back teeth due to progressive enamel loss. This happens because, during the chewing process, misaligned teeth will occlude (bite down or come into contact) with the opposing teeth in an unhealthy pattern causing friction and wear of the teeth.
One may also experience TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders and suffer pain in the jaw joint or clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth. Other problems with the TMJ may include cheek biting, mouth breathing, bad breath, headaches, and even neck aches in certain cases.
Properly aligned teeth are healthier teeth because when aligned properly, the teeth will be subjected to less wear and trauma. In a mouth with straight teeth, it will be easier to floss properly and keep the teeth clean, enabling the gum tissue to remain healthy and stable. Treating misaligned teeth with Invisalign clear aligners goes far beyond achieving a straight, beautiful smile.
When you choose Invisalign clear aligners with Dr. Melko, the entire process is planned out and aided by digital 3D scans. Dr. Melko will closely monitor the progress of tooth movement during the treatment process and make necessary adjustments. The result will be a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile!
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I love how every time I go for a cleaning Mercedes, the hygenist, is always incredibly gentle, yet thorough. The office environment is phenomenal, and the team as a whole is very professional and efficient. Dr. Melko always takes her time doing a precise exam, thus I feel cared for.
- Lia Y., Patient Review
This is a really top-notch office! Dr. Melko is smart and straightforward, with an excellent bedside manner, and someone I trust with my teeth. Beyond that, it's the office staff and the hygienists that really take the office from great to stellar.
- Christina C., Patient Review
Everything about this experience was great !! Great customer service and most importantly the process of pulling my teeth was very calm and relaxing I would definitely recommend this place for anyone that’s looking to get any dental work!!
- C. Diijames, Patient Review
- Mary W., Patient Review
The place was hygienic, the doctors and front desk people were super sweet. Would 10/10 recommend it!
- Vaishnavi R., Patient Review
Dr. Melko is great. All the staff is very friendly and professional. Been coming here for a long time and only have good things to say.
- Luis R., Patient Review
A note from Dr. Melko
When arriving at our office each day, my hope is that my patients will appreciate my gentle touch and my willingness to carefully explain their dental treatment in order to help each patient understand their unique care.
My specialty areas of treatment are implant, restorative and esthetic dentistry with a passionate focus on rehabilitating teeth and their supportive structures.
I require more than 100 hours of continuing education annually to ensure that our office is up to date with the most current advancements in oral health so that my patients can feel confidant they are receiving the absolute best care.
I'm proud to operate the first certified green dental practice in Santa Clara County as we take pride in helping make our community healthier and more livable.
If you see me biking around town, or hiking on local trails with my daughter, Atalia, I hope you'll say hello.