Invisalign Is the Clear Alternative

Are you considering having your teeth straightened? Maybe you’re wondering about your options and are stuck because you know you don’t want traditional braces.

Have you heard about Invisalign? In many cases, Invisalign is superior to traditional metal braces. With the availability of Invisalign, you have a better alternative, and there really is no good reason to go with braces over Invisalign.

Here are a few things you should know before you make your decision?

Is Invisalign Less Noticeable than Braces?

There’s no doubt that people will notice that you are wearing metal braces. You just can’t hide those conspicuous brackets and wires. Fortunately, Invisalign is nearly undetectable, and most people won’t even know that you are wearing the clear, plastic aligners.

How Easy is Invisalign to Wear?

With braces, each metal bracket has to be bonded directly to your teeth. This is an uncomfortable process that can take several hours. Invisalign aligners are easy to slip on an off. Once your custom fit aligners are created in the lab, you can put them on in just a few seconds and start straightening your teeth right away.

Are They Comfortable?

The metal on traditional braces can irritate the soft tissue inside your mouth, and the wires can sometimes poke. Often you will need to use dental wax to prevent irritation. Invisalign clear aligners eliminate the need for metal, wires, and wax!

The treatment process with Invisalign is more comfortable too. In order to achieve results, traditional braces need to be tightened every four to six weeks, which is not a pleasant feeling. After each tightening your teeth will feel sensitive and may even ache for a few days. With Invisalign, you get a new aligner every six weeks. It is custom fit for you to be as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

What about Eating with Invisalign?

When you’re wearing braces it can be hard to eat crunchy or chewy food, and food becomes stuck in the braces. Your Invisalign aligners can be easily removed for eating and drinking, and they are easy to put back in as soon as you’re finished.

How Complicated is Oral Hygiene?

It is not easy to floss with braces, so plaque can build up around the brackets, putting you at risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you can easily brush and floss like normal, with no additional risk for decay or disease.

Does it Take Years for Invisalign to Work?

Most patients have braces for 18 months, and some up to six years. Not only is it time consuming, but treatment that takes that long can end up being very expensive. We can usually complete Invisalign treatment in about one year – sometimes more time and sometimes less depending on the individual.

What Happens When Treatment is Finished?

With traditional braces, the brackets have to be removed (usually with pliers – ouch!) and then the glue/cement has to be filed off. Again, not a very pleasant experience, and also very time consuming. With Invisalign, once your teeth are properly straightened, the aligners can be removed immediately.

 

Article originally appeared at: https://www.drmatthewswilmington.com/ 

Author: Dr. Brian Matthews

 

Do not hesitate to contact our office for any questions about Invisalign. Helping you smile is what we love to do! ⁣