There are multiple reasons as to why one would want to straighten their crooked teeth. However, the thought of having large, bulky, and uncomfortable braces holds a lot of people back from seeking orthodontic treatment. If you find this relatable, you’ll be glad to learn that Invisalign treatment can realign your teeth and grant you that beautiful smile you’ve always wanted without having to put on metal braces. This article will tell you what Invisalign is as well as the benefits it brings.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is one of the many orthodontic treatments that your dentist can offer you as a remedy for crooked and misaligned teeth. The treatment entails the usage of clear aligners made from BPA-free, medical-grade thermos plastic, which are specifically designed to realign a certain set of teeth. As a result, a set of aligners designed for one person will not work for another.
Unlike metal braces, Invisalign aligners are completely transparent. When placed on your teeth, the custom-designed aligners apply a constant force on your teeth, coercing them into a more orderly position. The effectiveness of the aligners depends on how well they fit your teeth, and therefore, as your teeth begin to shift, the aligners lose effectiveness. For this reason, Invisalign treatment requires the patient to change their aligner after every few weeks.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
Increased Comfort
Traditional braces can be extremely uncomfortable compared to removable aligners. The harsh edges of metal brackets tend to dig into your cheeks and lips and scathe them, leaving you with painful sores that take a long time to heal. Many people resort to using dental wax to ease the discomfort of braces; however, the wax usually wears off in a short time.
Removable aligners, on the other hand, are manufactured to fit your teeth perfectly. Additionally, they have smooth edges; this means no jagged metal poking into your cheeks and lips.
Since the invisible aligners are tailored specifically to your teeth, they have more control over the realignment of your teeth. This means that aligners will straighten your teeth more gently than braces relieving some of the discomforts of this process.
More Presentable Due to Being Transparent
One of the biggest shortcomings of braces is their large bulky profile that many people find to be hideous. In fact, getting braces drains the confidence right out of many people’s smiles.
With that said, one of the biggest benefits of Invisalign treatment is that the aligners used are completely transparent. Unlike metal braces, they are practically undetectable, which means that most people won’t even notice that you are having your teeth straightened out. Using a clear and undetectable aligner to straighten teeth can help children gain confidence and improve their dental health while also shielding them from play-ground taunting.
Permit Better Dental Hygiene
One of the most significant benefits of Invisalign over metal braces is the ability to better care for your teeth. In the case of braces, plaque and bits of food get lodged into the brackets, making it extremely challenging to effectively clean your teeth. This, in turn, can lead to gum diseases and possibly tooth decay in the worst-case scenario.
On the other hand, Invisalign allows you to easily take off the aligners and go about your day-to-day dental regime. Brushing and flossing can all be done without any metal brackets or wires obstructing your reach or necessitating additional equipment. You can also clean and wash your aligner on the inside to ensure that no bacteria or germs accumulate in that space.
Fewer Checkups with Your Orthodontist
In the case of braces, patients have to visit their orthodontist on a more frequent basis to get their braces readjusted and retightened. Frequent visits can be inconvenient and disruptive to your daily schedule. Additionally, readjusting your braces can involve procedures such as removal and replacement of bracket(s), adding elastic bands, retightening of brackets, all of which can add even more discomfort to your treatment.
On the contrary, you won’t have to visit your orthodontist as often with invisible aligners, and your visits will also be less intrusive and shorter. With Invisalign, you’ll want to have a checkup every four to six weeks, but in the meantime, you’ll have a new pair of aligners to swap after every two weeks to keep your treatment progressing.
No Restrictions on What You Can and Cannot Eat
Braces treatment limits the variety of food the wearer can eat. This is because hard, chewy and sticky foods can damage the brackets of the braces and distort the brace wire.
Fortunately, the removable aligners do not subject you to any such restrictions. Keep in mind, however, that with your aligners on, water is the only food or drink you should consume. But you can easily take off your aligners, eat and drink whatever you like, and place them back on without having to worry about damaging them. Just be sure to store the aligners in their container and brush your teeth before placing them back on.
Is Invisalign Suitable for Me?
While there are many benefits to Invisalign, the treatment has its own set of limitations that prevent it from being a viable option for everyone. Following are some questions you should ask yourself to determine whether or not this treatment is suitable for you:
- Is your case of teeth misalignment simple or complex?
- Will you take care of them correctly?
- Will you wear the aligners for the recommended amount of time each day?
- Can you afford them? (Invisalign is an expensive treatment)
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Last?
The length of the treatment varies from person to person and how severe and complicated the problem is. Typically, the treatment can last anywhere between 6 to 9 months.
What Is the Process of Getting Invisalign?
Getting Invisalign can be divided into the following stages:
- Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist for consultation.
- The orthodontist will take X-ray images and impressions of your teeth and create an appropriate treatment plan.
- There will be a preliminary checkup involving reconfirmation of details and predicting how the aligners would look.
- Once the aligners are ready, start wearing them as per the instructions of your orthodontist.
Need Professional Help?
Orthodontic treatment is quite expensive and brings about considerable discomfort. However, having a qualified and capable specialist handling your case can substantially alleviate the difficulties of the process. Chiswick Park Dental practice offers you the finest dental and facial services in London. To know more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us now on 020 8987 9977.
