Achieving a smile you love and can share with others confidently can sometimes require assistance beyond whiteners or tooth-colored fillings. For those with crooked teeth, in particular, specialized treatments will be necessary, as well as the patience for the time it takes to achieve results.
Previously, traditional braces were the only option for straightening teeth and creating a more even smile. While these are still available and beneficial to many patients today, you also have access to a newer way of achieving similar results. This newer way is with Invisalign, a clear aligner that has different properties and benefits you may find more to your liking.
What Exactly is Invisalign?
Invisalign consists of clear, soft plastic aligners worn by a patient to help straighten out crooked teeth, correct the bite, and create a more even smile. You will work closely with your dentist for custom fitting aligners and follow a timeline based on the results you require.
5 Benefits of Invisalign Compared to Braces
While much will depend on the health of your teeth and gums and your personal preferences, today Invisalign has distinct benefits over traditional braces. Here are five of those benefits.
1. Invisalign Achieves Results Quicker Than Braces
Traditional braces often take considerable time to fit and adjust initially, and then you will need to wear them for anywhere between 18 months and five years to see proper alignment results. You’ll also need to return to your dentist or orthopedist for adjustments every month.
Invisalign, on the other hand, can produce faster results than braces. Once custom fitted for your clear aligners, you will switch out those aligners approximately every two weeks. The total process can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on your individual case. Orthodontist or dentist visits will occur about every three months.
2. Invisalign is Removable for Added Convenience
Traditional braces are fixed appliances that must stay attached inside your mouth for the duration of your treatment. Brushing and flossing while they are in place can be awkward and may not be adequate on their own for keeping your teeth healthy.
Invisalign clear aligners, however, are removable, allowing you to remove them when eating or brushing. You will still need to wear the aligners the recommended 20-22 hours per day for timely results.
3. Invisalign Does Not Require Changes in Eating Habits
Since Invisalign is removable when eating, you will not need to alter your diet to avoid the most sticky, hard, and crunchy foods you love. These types of foods can damage traditional braces, pulling apart the brackets and wires, which can cause frustration and the need for time-consuming orthodontic appointments.
You can also leave the aligners out as you brush after eating, and this can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums no matter what you consume.
4. Invisalign is More Comfortable and Nearly Invisible
Traditional braces are often irritating or uncomfortable, causing soreness and pain in the gums, lips, cheeks, and overall mouth. It will take time to get used to wearing them, and you’ll often feel discomfort, especially when undergoing the tightening procedure.
In contrast, the Invisalign design takes into account a patient’s comfort. The clear aligners are made mainly out of a thermoplastic material and don’t snag in crevices of the mouth. It has no sharp edges that can poke or puncture your gums or the skin inside your cheeks or lips. You may even forget you are wearing them completely, which is a definite plus when it comes to comfortability.
Invisalign is also nearly invisible. This is particularly important if you are an adult and work in a professional setting. Responsible teenagers will also appreciate the more discrete look of the clear aligners as opposed to metal or ceramic braces.
5. Invisalign Allows for Better Cleaning
The fact that you can remove the clear aligners when you brush means you can achieve a better cleaning of teeth and gums each time you brush and floss. Once you finish cleaning, you will just need to soak, clean, or rinse the aligners before placing them back in your mouth.
In comparison, accomplishing good dental hygiene is cumbersome and difficult with braces. This difficulty is due to the general structure of the braces, which contain and create crevices and pockets that are hard to reach with a toothbrush or floss.
Find out More About Invisalign by Contacting Stiles Dental Care Today
Finding the best option to improve your smile and overall oral health is easier today, thanks to new technology. While once you only had the choice of traditional braces to correct misaligned or crooked teeth, now you have a choice that includes removable clear aligners. To find out more about Invisalign and how you can benefit from them, contact the team at Stiles Dental Care today.
