Stuck deciding between Invisalign and braces? We break down the many advantages and benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces in this article!
Invisalign is the largest dental orthodontic company in the world valued at the time of this writing at over 20 billion. It is without a doubt the most advanced teeth straightening system available. At Willis & Associates Family Dentistry, we are committed to bringing our patients the cutting edge in dental care, which is why we have focused a large part of care with Invisalign. As of right now, it is the only dental correction system that is minimally invasive and doesn’t require metal braces, brackets, and wires. Crooked and protruding teeth are unsightly and in some cases can cause overbite, underbite, and severe malocclusion, exposing you to greater risk of gum disease, cavities, and severe wear of enamel. With Invisalign, you can expect a convenient, secure, and comfortable alternative treatment to metal braces to get you that smile you’ve always dreamed about!
What Are Braces?
Braces help to straighten and reposition teeth with the use of metal or plastic brackets and rubbers bands or wires. The dentist tightens your brackets during visits to change the position of your teeth. But living with braces forces a person to alter daily life skills.
While technological advances have improved traditional braces, there are still cons to wearing them. Clear aligners eliminate many of the negative aspects of wearing braces.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign, or “invisible aligners,” is a revolutionary treatment for correcting dental problems. Teeth are aligned to their proper place with the use of clear guides. The clear guides fit on your teeth, making it almost impossible for anyone to notice.
When it comes to the discussion of Invisalign vs. braces, there are pros and cons for each option. Invisalign can provide benefits that may surprise you.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
Invisalign offers convenience, easy cleaning, less time at the dentist, and so much more.
- Easier to Clean
We all know that traditional braces are a hassle to maintain. Whether you’re eating out or enjoying a family meal, keeping your teeth and brackets clean is a pain.
When using Invisalign, it’s easy to remove the aligner trays. Gently brush them with toothpaste and warm water before reinstalling them in your mouth.
- Fewer Office Visits
Metal braces require a dental office visit for tightening the rubber bands or wires. Invisalign gives you the freedom to enjoy activities while ensuring the teeth repositioning and alignment progress.
When starting the Invisalign treatment program, you receive aligner trays for the current phase and the several phases. Receiving the trays in advance allows you to move on to the next phase without another office visit.
- No Food Adjustments
Invisalign allows you to eat and drink whatever you want because the aligners are removable. This lessens the time to clean your teeth afterward. But be sure to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth before reinstalling the aligners.
- Look Better
Orthodontic patients, especially adults, don’t want to stand out. Invisalign helps you hide your dental treatment because of the clear aligners trays. No one needs to know you’re wearing aligners unless you tell them.
- More Comfort
Even if you’ve never worn braces, the issues with discomfort aren’t news to you. Traditional braces work by the brackets and wires causing tension to reposition the teeth. The tightening of the brackets causes soreness until the tension lessens, resulting in a cycle of discomfort.
Wearing Invisalign enables the wearer to remove the trays for eating, brushing, and flossing teeth. Invisalign decreases the discomfort of pain and scraping against your tongue, cheek, or gums.
- Safe for Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Invisalign is safe for children, adolescents, and adults. While children between the ages of 8-12 are monitored for dental issues and the potential use of straightening teeth, many dentists suggest waiting until your child is 13 or 14 to get Invisalign.
While this decision will vary care by case, part of the reason children shouldn’t use Invisalign is due to the responsibility of maintenance and possible loss of the aligner tray. True, age does not guarantee an aligner won’t get lost, but it may be wise to wait anyway.
- Fixes Dental Issues
Dental issues vary for each person. Some of the alignment problems requiring braces or Invisalign include:
- Crowded Teeth
- Crossbite
- Gap Teeth
- Misaligned Teeth
- Open bite
- Overbite
- Underbite
The use of orthodontics helps bite and crowding issues, which helps to decrease the rate of cavities and gum disease. Scheduling an appointment with your dental professional to discuss your treatment options is recommended. If you want to get Invisalign, then ask your dentist. He or she knows what treatment suits your individual needs.
- Better Than Other Aligners
In the business world, competitors will always attempt to offer similar products. Yet the quality and price for these products may end up costing you in the long run.
New companies are offering teeth-straightening products through online purchases, but dental monitoring isn’t part of the process. Although they offer the same results as Invisalign for a lower price, the results are usually not ideal.
Regular office visits while going through dental treatment ensures the products are working, and no other issues have arisen.
Schedule an Appointment
Now that you’ve learned and understood the benefits of Invisalign, it’s time to speak with a professional!
Call our office today to schedule an appointment!