The decision between Invisalign and braces is a personal one. The idea of Invisalign may be tempting, but you may wonder if you should stick with traditional braces. While braces are a fine choice and treat many orthodontic issues, Invisalign offers benefits that make it a better choice for many people.
Understanding the benefits of Invisalign allows you to make an informed decision about your dental health. Ask your orthodontist if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. While considering your options, consider these 5 ways Invisalign outperforms braces.
1. Comfort
Anyone who has worn braces in the past or known someone who has knows how uncomfortable they can be. You can expect discomfort with any process that moves your teeth, including Invisalign. However, what is missing when you use Invisalign is the pain from wires that braces cause. Unfortunately, when wearing traditional braces, you can expect sores and cuts on the inside of your cheeks as part of the treatment process. Invisalign aligners are made specifically for your mouth, and the comfortable plastic keeps the inside of your mouth healthy and pain-free.
2. Easier Maintenance
Oral hygiene is important for not only overall health but also for the best results after your orthodontic treatment. Braces make the brushing and flossing process difficult, even for the most meticulous individual. Invisalign allows you to pop out your aligner so that you can brush and floss normally. This leads to better overall hygiene and improved compliance.
3. Fewer Appointments
Frequent orthodontic appointments mean missing work or school. When wearing Invisalign, the aligners are developed in a laboratory following your initial scan. The aligners are made using this scan, and you will receive several at each orthodontic visit. Your provider will instruct you on how frequently to switch your aligners. You will still visit for check-ins, but they are much less frequent than with traditional braces.
4. No Dietary Restrictions
Because you can remove the Invisalign aligners to eat, you don't face the same food restrictions that you would when wearing traditional braces. You can eat what you would normally eat, brush and rinse your teeth, and pop your aligners back in place. Invisalign works best when the aligners are worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. This leaves plenty of time for meals and cleaning.
Whether it is crunchy, sticky food or just things like corn on the cob that are difficult to eat, the food restrictions with braces are a struggle for many people. Also, many foods that are technically fine for braces-wearers are a challenge to eat in public due to their habit of sticking unattractively in the braces. Even something as healthy and safe seeming as a salad can be difficult to eat in public. With Invisalign, this isn't an issue.
5. Appearance
Of course, the number one reason most people are interested in Invisalign is due to their appearance. Particularly for those who are above the common age range for braces, Invisalign is a great option for straightening your smile without feeling self-conscious. Even teenagers appreciate the ability to straighten their smiles without the need for braces.
Whether you are an adult or teen, the period after you begin orthodontic treatment with traditional braces can be tiresome. You are sure to get plenty of comments on your new braces at a time when you may already feel uncomfortable with your appearance. It will take a little while to get comfortable speaking normally after you get braces and having unnecessary comments only makes the transition more uncomfortable.
Invisalign, which is nearly undetectable, is unlikely to get the same types of comments as you can expect from braces. When someone does bring it up, it is often out of curiosity. You would be surprised at the number of people who are curious if they would benefit from Invisalign treatment. Many adults who were less than faithful with wearing their retainer after having their braces removed are interested in Invisalign to regain their youthful smiles.
Is Invisalign Really Better than Braces?
Invisalign does a great job of straightening smiles. Whether it is the right choice for you is something you should discuss with your provider. Generally, as long as you are disciplined enough to wear the aligners for at least 20 hours, and ideally 22 hours through the day, you will see good results. Individuals who find themselves taking the aligners off to eat and then leaving them out after will not be as satisfied with their results.
The disadvantages of traditional braces can make treatment compliance a challenge for both teens and adults. These disadvantages may seem superficial, but when you consider that the average time spent in orthodontic treatment is right at two years, it is easy to see why making compliance as easy as possible is important.
The main concern for many people, teens, and adults alike is the aesthetic issues surrounding braces. Teens, of course, are often self-conscious about their appearance. Adults may have more confidence, but wearing braces and having coworkers and friends notice and comment on them, can be challenging. With Invisalign, this is not a concern.
Painful irritation is also a common occurrence when wearing braces and is something that just doesn't happen when using Invisalign. Even the most meticulous care cannot protect the cheeks and gums from the wires required to improve your bite when you wear braces.
And, of course, hygiene is much easier with Invisalign. Rather than invest in various specialized brushes and tools to clean your teeth and make dietary choices that allow you to eat neatly in public, you can simply remove the Invisalign aligner, have your meal or snack, brush, and replace the aligner.
Ready to invest in your smile? Get in touch today to schedule your appointment. We can discuss your goals for treatment and see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.
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