When you hear those dreaded words come out of your dentist’s mouth, “I think you need braces,” you probably picture life with a mouth full of metal for a few years. Luckily though, today there are so many different options that you can choose from to get a straighter, more beautiful smile. There are clear braces, braces that go on the back of the teeth and Invisalign aligners as alternatives to the traditional metal braces. What will work for you depends on a lot of different factors including how much work needs to be done, your budget and your personal preference. For some patients having braces that are not noticeable to the casual eye means more than it does to others.
Invisalign braces, the clear plastic aligners that you remove to eat and drink are, in general, comparative in price to metal braces, but sometimes they can be more expensive. Are Invisalign braces worth the cost?
Here are some of the reasons that Invisalign braces are a worthwhile investment:
Less noticeable than metal braces
One of the biggest selling points, of course, is that they are clear plastic aligners that will not be noticeable to the casual observer. Whether you are a teen, a college student or even an adult, you will love that you don’t have to worry about flashing a mouth full of metal when you smile. Invisalign aligners are also softer on your mouth and there are no wires that can cause irritation to your gums.
No food or drink restrictions
Because metal braces are permanently attached, there are certain foods and drinks you will need to avoid during treatment like gum and hard candy. Invisalign aligners however are removable so you can eat and drink whatever you like.
Easier to practice proper hygiene
Brushing and flossing with metal braces is not easy. Food particles and plaque can get stuck in the wires and between the teeth leading to cavities and gum problems during treatment. Sometimes with metal braces no matter how much you brush and floss, there are cavities or swollen gums to contend with when the braces are finally removed. With removable Invisalign aligners this isn’t a problem though. Just take the aligners out, brush and floss like normal and don’t forget to clean the aligners.
Quicker treatment times
While it can vary patient from patient, in general, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign braces takes less time than other treatments. This is because you are given a new set of aligners every two weeks which allows your orthodontist to have more control over the force applied to the teeth. With teenagers though the treatment is closer to the length of traditional braces because their teeth are doing more shifting and growing.
Your orthodontist will use 3D technology to map out each stage of your treatment so you can know what to expect every step of the way. Removing some of the uncertainty will help you feel more confident about your choice of treatment.
Works for complicated issues too
It is not just for small issues like crooked front teeth that Invisalign works for. It can even handle more complicated issues like malocclusion, overbites and under bites.
Uses innovate technology
The creators of Invisalign understand the need for innovation and plenty of options. That is why they offer different types of Invisalign aligners dedicated to different needs. Invisalign i7 is perfect if you only have one or two crooked teeth. With this, the orthodontist will just give you enough aligners to move the one or two teeth that are crooked which saves you from having a mouth full of orthodontic work. Then there is Invisalign full which is a full set of aligners which are better for fixing more complicated alignment issues. Invisalign Lite is also another option for those who need something more than what it i7 offers, but still don’t want to undergo full treatment.
Special features for teens
Because the success of the Invisalign treatment is dependent on the patient wearing the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, Invisalign has made a special version of the aligners for teens that have compliance indictors that fade from blue to clear to help patients know if they have been wearing them long enough.
Invisalign is not without any restrictions, however. You will need to make sure you will wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. If you do not, you will prolong your treatment and might not get the exact results you expected. Also another consideration is that you need to be very diligent about caring for your Invisalign aligners. Each morning you need to take them out and clean both them and your teeth very thoroughly. And you will need to do this every time you take the aligners out to eat and drink something as well. This is essential if you want to keep your aligners from getting discolored and reduce the risk of them having an odor which might give you bad breath.
Make sure you rinse the aligners first and then brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent plaque buildup. For the cleanest smile possible, soak your aligners every day in either a denture cleaning solution or use Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Is Invisalign right for me?
While there are many benefits of choosing Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, no one solution fits all. To make sure you have all the facts, set up consultations with a few orthodontic providers and ask what options work best for the level of work you need done. Also ask about cost, insurance coverage and payment options. Look for an orthodontist who really cares for her patients and is willing to help you find a payment plan that works for you.
Once you have all the right information, you can weigh your options more clearly. Don’t just base your decision on price, however. If you know you can have a less intrusive, more comfortable treatment that is just as effective, the extra money you have to put in will be worth it.
