The obvious perk of Invisalign treatment is a straighter smile, but this alternative to braces makes the process easier and more comfortable in many ways.
The Invisalign process uses a series of clear trays that you typically change every two weeks to gradually shift your teeth. They're made from medical-grade polyurethane resin instead of metal, which contributes to the benefits of Invisalign.
Because they're removable, Invisalign trays offer more flexibility than traditional braces. From how they feel to what you can eat and do, Invisalign can make straighter teeth more enjoyable.
Check out these benefits to see if Invisalign is the best teeth-straightening solution for you or your child.
1. Less Noticeable Than Braces
The clear trays used for the treatment fit snugly over your teeth since they're customized to you. When put in place, they're essentially invisible. Most people won't notice you're wearing them during normal interactions.
Traditional braces are impossible to hide. Every time you talk, smile, yawn, or otherwise open your mouth, everyone can see them. For some people, that's not an issue, but others don't like the idea of having metal braces on their teeth for everyone to see.
The less noticeable design is one of the biggest perks with Invisalign for adults, who often feel self-conscious with metal braces on their teeth. Even teens may feel more confident wearing Invisalign over traditional braces.
You can also remove the trays for special occasions, such as family pictures, weddings, or other events. This lets you look like yourself with no trace of straightening devices for those events.
With braces, you're stuck with them for the duration of the treatment. When you look back at pictures from those events, you'll notice the braces.
2. No Food Restrictions
The list of restricted foods with traditional braces is long. It includes anything that's hard, sticky, crunchy, and tough. Some of your favorites, including popcorn, corn on the cob, and chicken wings, are probably on the list.
The food restrictions are necessary to prevent damage to your braces and injury to your mouth. They can force unwanted dietary changes and leave kids feeling left out. It's tough to say no to popcorn at the movie theater or sticky candy when all of their friends are eating it.
Invisalign eliminates those food restrictions because the trays are removable. If you want to enjoy sticky taffy or crunchy nuts, you simply remove the trays while you eat. You can remove them at any time as long as you wear your trays for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day.
3. Safer for Sports
Traditional braces also present a challenge with sports. Imagine taking a ball to the mouth or getting your face hit while playing basketball or other physical games. Metal braces can cause injuries to the mouth during contact sports, and the contact can cause damage to the braces, which requires an unplanned trip to the dentist.
Invisalign trays eliminate the metal, which cuts down on the injury potential if you get hit in the mouth. You can also take out the trays while you play contact sports to eliminate the risk of injury or damage to the trays.
The removable design is also helpful for musicians in the family. Braces sometimes interfere with playing musical instruments. You can take the trays out while playing a wind instrument to eliminate that interference.
4. Fewer Dental Visits
Invisalign treatment usually requires slightly less frequent visits to your dental care professional. You'll typically get several trays at your appointment, which you switch out every two weeks. Dental visits usually happen every four to six weeks.
With traditional braces, you may need emergency dental visits if a bracket comes loose or a wire breaks. Since Invisalign uses simple plastic trays, you don't need to worry so much about those emergency situations. That means you won't likely be making any unscheduled visits to the dentist, which reduces stress and saves you time.
5. Easy to Clean
The removable Invisalign trays make cleaning easier, for both the trays and your teeth. Traditional braces don't come off, so you have to brush and floss your teeth around them. It can be challenging to remove stuck food from the braces, and flossing is particularly challenging because of the wires.
With Invisalign, you can continue your normal oral hygiene routine by simply removing the trays when you're ready to brush and floss. This can help you avoid getting cavities because you can remove food from your teeth better.
You can also keep the trays clean easily by rinsing and brushing them. You can see the trays and remove any stuck-on food easily.
With braces, it's tough to see if something's stuck in the back of your mouth, so you may miss food. Leaving those food remnants in your mouth can lead to tooth decay.
6. Improved Comfort
You may notice some pressure when you start wearing a new tray, but Invisalign is more comfortable overall. The plastic material is much softer than the metal of traditional braces. It's a smooth design, unlike braces, which have bumpy brackets, wires, and other potentially pokey and uncomfortable pieces.
7. Customized With Technology
Your orthodontist provides you with a series of trays created specifically for your mouth. Invisalign typically uses a three-dimensional digital scanning process in place of the traditional tooth imprint method, which can be unpleasant.
Your Invisalign treatment is a computerized process, which maps out the tooth correction. The special software uses a database of past tooth corrections to help map out your progression to achieve your desired smile. It's often more precise and planned, which helps you know what to expect.
Enjoy the Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign is a discrete way to get straighter teeth and a smile you can feel confident showing. The system is comfortable, convenient, and easy to maintain, and it works for kids, teens, and adults. Understanding the benefits helps you decide if it's the best solution for you.
Are you ready to start enjoying the benefits of Invisalign? Contact us to schedule your consultation.