Invisalign

The practice of straightening misaligned teeth has been around for several years. Modern braces were invented as far back as 1819. For more than a century after that, people had to endure the use of metal or plastic brackets held together by wires and rubber bands. Although the conventional braces worked, they had some downsides, including the fact that they made it obvious to everyone who cared to look that the wearer was undergoing orthodontic care.

Invisalign came into the picture just recently. The device, which was made from a clear plastic material, could perform the same straightening function as a regular metal brace but with the added benefit of being invisible. It was a game-changer. While metal braces are still very much in use and remain the only viable option for many cases, the many benefits of Invisalign have made it the go-to choice for treating various teeth alignment issues, including gap teeth, underbites, crossbites, overbites, open bites, and crowded teeth. Here are some of the benefits of clear aligners:

Enhances Good Dental Hygiene

One of the hardest things about wearing braces is how hard it makes it to brush your teeth and maintain good dental hygiene. Imagine how difficult it'll be to brush your teeth daily with metal brackets and wires covering most of them. With invisible aligners, you won't have to worry about this.

You want to have the healthiest teeth possible by the time your teeth alignment treatment is complete. Invisalign makes it easy to do this. You don't need any special brushes or cleaning tools to take care of your teeth with clear aligners. Just remove the aligner tray and brush or floss as you normally would. You can also clean the aligner plates themselves to get rid of any plaque buildup on them.

Improves Self-Confidence

The biggest problem many people have with metal braces is how obvious they are. Everyone would know you are trying to straighten your teeth. What's more? It'll show each time you smile to take a school photograph, when you flash a smile at your crush or when you get on stage to accept an award. A clear aligner is a big step up from that.

Invisalign is invisible! That's their biggest upside. It is made from clear transparent plastic material that shows your teeth underneath. No one has to know you're trying to correct your misaligned teeth, and the aligners no longer ruin your photos. It is a huge confidence booster for people who are probably suffering from self-image issues and would prefer a treatment option that does not worsen it.

Reduced Treatment Duration

The average treatment time for conventional braces is 16 months, and some cases may take up to two years or even more. That's a long time to keep on wearing metal braces. The lack of precision in planning teeth movement with traditional braces means it is difficult to tell how long your treatment will take.

With invisible aligners, everything is planned from scratch. Right from the onset of your treatment, our dentist takes digital images of your teeth which are used to design the Invisalign plates. They're custom-made for you, and each tray is designed to achieve a specific range of movement for your teeth. With a well-curated treatment like this, most people complete it within a year. Invisalign is up to 50% faster than conventional braces for many teeth-straightening issues.

Invisalign Is Removable

There's rarely a need to take out your Invisalign aligners because people would hardly notice you're wearing them. However, if you choose to skip wearing your aligners for any reason (maybe a special occasion like a wedding or a conference speech), you can totally do so with Invisalign. Clear aligners are flexible and easy to use. Your treatment will progress as planned if you consistently wear your aligners for at least 20 hours per day. You can also remove the aligners when you need to eat a meal, brush your teeth, or clean the tray.

Saves You Time

Everyone today has a busy schedule. That means limited time for dental clinic visits. One of the upsides of getting Invisalign is that you won't have to visit the dental clinic so frequently. You'll be able to schedule fewer visits since most of the treatment depends on you.

Your Invisalign appointment will typically be every four to six weeks, and the visits will most likely be short. Unlike braces, the dentist does not need to adjust your braces every couple of weeks. You'll simply get a new tray based on the current state of your treatment.

Eliminates Orthodontic Emergencies

The occasional orthodontic emergencies and possible injuries are among the numerous drawbacks of old-fashioned metal and wire braces. Many patients end up with broken brackets or loose wires that can constitute a hazard if not fixed right away. You won't have to worry about issues like this with clear aligners. They are made from durable plastic material and are unlikely to constitute a safety hazard in the unlikely event that it ever breaks. The fact that you can remove it when you need to engage in serious physical activities also reduces the risk of such accidents ever happening. That rules out any sudden trips to the dentist.

Freedom To Eat and Drink Anything

When you get traditional metal braces, you'll also get a list of foods and drinks that are off-limits. Some of these are self-evident, such as gum, chewy candies, caramel, corn on the cob, nuts, chips, ice, and popcorn. Hard nuts like almonds are also not permitted. Rather than gnawing on whole apples in the fall, you'll have to get used to eating them chopped into smaller pieces. The list of foods you cannot eat is extensive.

Invisalign eliminates the need to keep a long list of foods to avoid. You can eat anything you would normally as long as you remove the aligner trays before each snack. Experts also recommend brushing your teeth (or at least rinsing your mouth) after each meal before putting the aligner back on. This way, food particles don't get trapped under the tray, which might have debilitating consequences on your oral health.

Invisalign Is Painless and Comparably Easy

Invisalign treatment is painless, quick, and very easy. It is a non-invasive treatment, and most patients find it more tolerable. To start your treatment, our dentist, Dr. Vijaya Cherukuri, takes a 3D digital scan of your mouth. Not only is this better than conventional dental impressions, but it is also easier to take. People with a gag reflex often have trouble when they visit the dentist because it makes it difficult to get an impression of their mouth. You won't have to worry about this with Invisalign.

Patients who get metal braces also have to deal with some soreness and discomfort each time the wires are adjusted. You won't have to worry about this with Invisalign. You may notice a slight lisp when you speak each time you upgrade to a new tray, but that's about it.

Conclusion

The use of Invisalign to correct misaligned teeth has several benefits. Of course, that's not to say it will work for everyone or that it's the only option right now. You'll learn more about the options you can explore and get professional recommendations when you speak to our dentist at Smile Artistry Chino Valley about your condition. They'll let you know if Invisalign is the right choice for you and the many benefits of opting for this option over the alternatives. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!