Advantages of Invisalign® Aligners: The Invisible Way to Straighten Your Teeth

Many people opt for Invisalign® when it comes to straightening crooked or misaligned teeth. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is plastic, thin, and clear, meaning that you won’t have to deal with metal wires and brackets.

However, it’s worth noting that Invisalign isn’t ideal for everyone. Therefore, if you’re thinking about straightening your smile, you should begin by visiting your dentist for an exam. The dentist will examine the nature of your condition and advise the appropriate treatment. For instance, minor teeth alignment may not need Invisalign or braces. Instead, dental veneers can be the ideal option. On the other hand, complex or severe teeth misalignments may require extensive treatment, such as braces. Invisalign aligners are most effective for average teeth misalignments.

How does Invisalign Work?

The Invisalign treatment is pretty straightforward. Invisalign consists of thin and clear plastic strays that are worn over the teeth. They can be used to address tooth imperfections such as gapped, crowded, or moderately misaligned teeth. The durability of the treatment may vary depending on the patient’s compliance and severity of the condition.

Once the dentist has determined you’re a good fit for Invisalign, they will then create a treatment plan for you. This involves taking photos, scans, and X-rays of your teeth, face, and mouth. After collecting all the necessary records, they are sent to Invisalign to create the custom-made aligners or trays. Once the Invisalign aligners are ready, the dentist will begin the straightening process.

Every two weeks or so, you will have to use a new pair of aligners. Each set of aligners is intended to move the teeth to a certain level. Replacing the aligners allows your teeth to progress as planned gradually until the desired outcome is achieved.

You’ll also need to visit your orthodontist or dentist every 6-10 weeks to monitor your progress. On average, the treatment takes about 1-2 years. After treatment, you’ll need a retainer to keep the straightened teeth in their new position. The retainer prevents the teeth from shifting back to the initial position.

For effective treatment, wear your aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day. You are only supposed to remove them for about 2-4 hours per day. You shouldn’t consume anything other than clear water with your Invisalign on. Similarly, you must brush or rinse your mouth after eating or drinking before wearing the Invisalign back. The Invisalign trays must also be cleaned every day to prevent bacteria and plaque build-up in the mouth.

Benefits of Invisalign

Below are a few benefits of using Invisalign to straighten your smile:

• Invisalign is virtually invisible

The metallic nature of traditional braces is not appealing to most people. They tend to draw unwanted attention even from afar, which can be uncomfortable. Thankfully, Invisalign aligners are thin and clear, making them virtually invisible. You can have your treatment without drawing any attention or ruining your beautiful smile.

• Ideal for multiple dental issues

Invisalign can be used to solve multiple dental imperfections such as crowded teeth, gapped teeth, crooked or misaligned teeth, open bite, crossbite, overbite, and underbite.

• No diet restrictions

Invisalign aligners are removable, and you must remove them when eating or drinking anything other than clear water. This means that you are not restricted from eating any foods. With braces, your orthodontic might advise against eating certain foods. For instance, eating hard foods can cause braces to slip. With Invisalign, you can eat anything, just as long as you remove the aligners, then brush and floss your teeth properly thoroughly after eating before wearing the aligners back.

• Improved oral hygiene and health

With traditional braces, food particles can get trapped between the wires and brackets, increasing your risk for plaque and bacteria buildup. Brushing and flossing with braces is also challenging as you have to brush around the wires and brackets.
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, brushing and flossing your teeth is easy. Also, make sure to clean the aligners daily to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup between them. In the long run, your oral hygiene and health are greatly improved.

• Faster and lesser appointments

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign is comfortable, convenient, and painless. People tend to see results with Invisalign aligners much quicker than braces. Similarly, since you can adjust the aligners on your own, Invisalign requires fewer appointments.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Ready to straighten your smile with Invisalign or other orthodontic treatments? Contact Concord Woods Dental Group for more information.