Everybody wishes for a mouthful of great teeth. Unfortunately, crooked or unaligned dentition is so common these days. This has increased the popularity of teeth alignment, but the next problem is deciding if braces are worth the effort. Braces can take up to 2 years to complete, leaving you with wires on your teeth for the whole process. Fortunately, Invisalign has a lot of benefits that make braces seem inferior. Let's take a look at what Invisalign is and why orthodontists suggest it.
A Glance At Invisalign
Invisalign is a revolutionary treatment that helps dentists align teeth without needing to attach braces. Most patients who have a crossbite, overbite, or underbite can use the Invisalign treatment. The process involves using plastic aligner trays to straighten teeth, slowly moving them into proper alignment.
In order to get the best results, Invisalign requires that patients keep the trays in their mouths for up to 20 hours a day. Unlike braces, these trays are easily removable which means it is not going to affect your oral hygiene. You can floss, brush and maintain oral health while the trays are out, then slip them back in after brushing, eating, or other activities.
How does Invisalign Work?
The Invisalign treatment uses clear aligners which helps our teeth to move back into a perfect position. Every two weeks, your dentist will give you new clear aligners to continue the teeth straightening process until the treatment is done, while also checking to make sure the procedure is working as intended. These trays are custom-molded to your teeth and can look quite natural once you are used to having them in your mouth. Above all, the aligner they provide is BPA-free which means clear plastics. So it is both safe and easy to wear.
When compared to braces, Invisalign is much more comfortable to have in your mouth. Braces can have wires that poke, while Invisalign can be removed if something makes you uncomfortable. Also, you can’t hide braces but the clear trays are easily disguised in your mouth so no one will even know you have them! In addition, the procedure to install braces into your mouth involves messy glues and rubber bands, something that no one needs in their mouth.
After most of the treatment is complete there is a refinement period to fix teeth. It is basically an extended timeframe where the orthodontist makes sure that your teeth are moving in the way they are supposed to. If there are any issues, refinement trays will be used to slightly adjust the tooth position correctly.
At the end of the day, if you're investing money, you will hope for results that only Invisalign treatment can provide. After the procedure, you will get what you paid for which is beautifully aligned straight teeth. You can look forward to a boost in confidence that a straight smile can give.
Does Invisalign work as fast as braces?
Using braces to realign your teeth can take up to two years, sometimes even longer. Some dentists feel that the Invisalign treatment takes less time. Braces are also permanently attached until the treatment is over, whereas you can take out your Invisalign trays whenever you want. Even so, you’ll still need to keep them in for around 20 hours a day. The timeframe for your treatment is entirely dependent on how much work needs to be done, but generally, the Invisalign system will take less time than braces would.
Invisalign Pros
There are a lot of reasons why patients choose Invisalign over braces. The foremost advantage to the treatment is they are hard to see when installed. It is almost invisible! Unlike braces, there are no wires involved so it is not going to be as noticeable while wearing it. This is such a good option for teenagers who avoid taking treatment just because of embarrassment. One thing which is sure with Invisalign is you don't have to give a second thought to how you're looking.
Safety is also a big benefit. Their BPA construction means Invisalign is durable without toxins found in many clear plastics. You can remove it anytime so oral hygiene is not going to be a problem. It is easy to brush, floss, and much more without the need to worry about affecting the treatment. It improves the overall health of your teeth. If we pay attention to the report released by American Dental Association, oral infections are a serious issue that can lead to other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and much more. So, proper oral hygiene is a must and Invisalign treatment takes care of that.
Many people fear that having Invisalign trays inserted all day will interfere with their activities. The treatment offers freedom. The trays will remain in position as you work or play. You can either remove it while playing your favorite game or wear it, the choice is yours. If you're a music enthusiast, you don't have to give up on your passion just because of treatment. You can play any instrument and unlike braces, it doesn't cause any kind of pain while playing.
There are also no restrictions on eating habits. A lot of people don't go for teeth straightening because of restrictions on eating habits. It can be a bummer for anyone, giving up your favorite food can be a disheartening process. Fortunately, it's not at all an issue with Invisalign. All you have to do is remove the tray and enjoy whatever you're eating. Traditional braces have a problem of food getting caught in the wires and brackets which in turn makes the process of cleaning messy, but it is not a problem with Invisalign.
There is no denial in the fact that Invisalign treatment works. The results are promising which is a reason why people give thought to Invisalign treatment. And above all, an orthodontist suggests it because it works faster than any other oral treatment. Total recovery time for Invisalign is 12-18 months on average, and individuals start noticing improvement within a couple of weeks.
Many orthodontic challenges such as improper bite, jaw problems, etc are solved by Invisalign, which gives you the faith of a perfect smile and the increased probability of better oral health.
Cons of Invisalign
Some patients have issues with the Invisalign process. While the procedure isn’t for everyone, some of these drawbacks aren’t as bad as they first appear. Some of the most notable include:
- Removal: Needing to take out your trays at a restaurant can be an inconvenience, and possibly even an embarrassment. Also, you’ll need to brush before reinserting the trays meaning you’ll be cleaning your teeth after every meal.
- Pressure Pain: A new set of aligner trays can leave your mouth feeling sore for a few days. This is similar to the pressure felt when patients with braces have their wires adjusted or tightened.
- Timeframe: Because you’ll need to wear the trays for around 20 hours, you’ll have them in at work, during sports events, and even on dates. For many patients, this isn’t a big deal, but some find it socially awkward, especially at the beginning of treatment as you adjust to having the trays in your mouth.
- Attachments: Sometimes attachments are needed to help secure the Invisalign trays to your dentition. These can affect how the trays sit on your teeth and may even make it appear like you have braces.
- Expense: To some, there is no price for a perfect smile. However, using Invisalign means having multiple trays made to fit your mouth. This can drive up the cost. Those on a tight budget may want to research other options because Invisalign can get expensive to some patients.
It is important to remember that many of these disadvantages are the same as for traditional braces. The tradeoff is the ability to remove the trays when wanted. Though they have to be kept in for 20 hours, many patients find that just knowing they can be removed relieves a lot of anxiety.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when braces were the only option for correcting a crooked smile. Invisalign adjustment trays are an excellent and safe way to quickly rework your teeth into the correct positions. With many advantages over regular braces, it’s easy to see why Invisalign has become the go-to option for patients across the globe!
The staff at the Santa Teresa Dental Center know how important your smile is to you. That’s why our expert clinicians are waiting to help you make the best decisions about your oral health. No matter your dental needs, oral health should be an important part of everyone’s life. Contact us today to discuss how Invisalign can be the fastest way to a stunning smile you’ll be proud of!