An estimated 4.5 million Americans wear braces, so it’s no secret that orthodontic work is not only popular but often necessary. As people of all ages decide to improve their smiles, better options become available. One of the best ways to get perfectly straight teeth is with Invisalign. You’re sure to have heard this name before, especially if you’ve been looking for alternatives to traditional metal braces. This guide will go through the benefits of Invisalign so you can feel confident in your decision.
Get ready to take the first step towards the smile of your dreams.
Invisalign Is Practically Invisible
The first benefit of getting Invisalign should be obvious; it’s in the name, after all. While many kids and teenagers don’t mind the look of traditional metal braces, it’s not the most appealing option.
Invisalign is perfect for people who don’t want to draw attention to the fact that they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Metal braces can bring unwanted attention to your teeth, which can feel embarrassing. Invisalign are thin, clear plastic aligners that are invisible. It’ll be difficult for anyone to tell that you’re wearing them.
No Food or Drink Restrictions
Ask anyone who wears traditional metal braces, and they’ll be the first to tell you: there’s a lot of food that’s off the table. You’ll have to be okay with saying goodbye to gum, caramel, corn-on-the-cob, and popcorn—and that’s just a fraction of what’s on the list.
Hard foods can cause brackets on metal braces to break off, and chewy foods get stuck all over braces, creating a ton of bacteria. Invisalign erases any worries about having to commit to a list of foods to avoid. All you need to do is remove your aligner trays before meals and snacks, brush your teeth then put your aligners back.
Easier Oral Hygiene
As effective as traditional metal braces are, many patients are surprised when they’re removed and see stains on their teeth. This is because good oral hygiene is difficult when you have braces.
Brushing and flossing around the wires and brackets requires a lot of time. You’ll need to take the floss and thread under the wires; brushing also requires cleaning both your teeth and the surface of your brackets. It’s easy to lose patience with the process.d
Invisalign makes oral hygiene incredibly simple. All you need to do is remove your aligners, then brush and floss as usual. There are no changes to your oral hygiene from before starting your Invisalign treatment.
Aligners Can Be Removed
As you may have already discovered, one of the reasons that Invisalign works so well is because the aligners can be removed. You won’t necessarily need to remove them since they’re practically invisible, but the option is there. Maybe there’s an event that you prefer attending without any aligners; there’s no problem with removing them for a few hours.
The goal with Invisalign is to keep your aligners in for at least 20 hours a day. This is what helps keep the treatment on track.
More Comfortable
Many patients who choose Invisalign had braces as children or teenagers, but their teeth shifted out of alignment over the years. If you’re one of those patients, you might remember how uncomfortable metal braces could be. Invisalign is made of smooth plastic that fits snugly against the teeth.
It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the more obtrusive metal brackets.
You won’t need to worry about wires poking your cheeks or any tightening done every four weeks. Instead, you’ll have to focus on switching your aligners every two weeks.
As Effective As Traditional Braces
You might be reading this and thinking that Invisalign sounds too good to be true. It can’t be as effective as metal braces. Well, that’s not the case. Invisalign technology is as effective as metal braces for almost all orthodontic cases.
The only time traditional metal braces might be the better option is when patients have complex issues that can’t be fixed with aligners. Other than that, Invisalign is a viable option for basically any teenager or adult who wants straighter teeth.
Less Time at the Dentist
As much as you may love your orthodontist, it’s not usually an enjoyable experience. With metal braces, you have a scheduled visit every four weeks. This is where your braces are adjusted and tightened. This amount of time at the office adds up, and it can be inconvenient when you have a busy schedule.
With Invisalign, there’s no tightening in the traditional sense. Instead, you switch to a new set right at home. There’s a bit of pressure when you adjust to the new aligners, but nowhere near the discomfort of adjusting wires. Thanks to this system, you only need to follow up with your orthodontist every six weeks.
The trips are a lot quicker too. Your dentist or orthodontist will take a look to make sure everything is on track then send you on your way.
The Benefits of Invisalign
The beauty of modern age dentistry is that there are various options when it comes to getting the smile you’ve always wanted. All you need to do is figure out what works best for your lifestyle. It’s difficult to beat the benefits of Invisalign, especially if you’re looking to straighten your teeth effectively.
Ready to change your life and your smile for the better? Then be sure to check out the new patient section of our website for all the information you need to make an appointment today.