Posted on January 20, 2022
Many teens and adults aren’t happy with the way their teeth look. Understandably, millions choose to use braces to straighten and improve the look of their teeth.
Over the years, manufacturers of braces have made great strides in improving the quality, look, and overall experience of braces. Invisalign is one of the most prolific improvements in orthodontics.
Unlike traditional metal braces, these clear adjusters gradually straighten teeth with more flexibility and subtlety. According to PR Newswire, a new survey shows 47% of teen Invisalign users had a boost of self-esteem while undergoing this treatment, as opposed to 22% of teens with metal braces who reported the same.
Undoubtedly, there are many positives to Invisalign. However, there are some questions you should ask first. Here are just four to keep in mind.
While every patient is different and needs a unique treatment plan, the expected time frame for Invisalign treatment is about one year. To complete this treatment period on schedule, it’s also critical that the patient wears their aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day.
Invisalign works as well as traditional metal braces; in many cases, clear aligners actually work better than metal brackets.
Traditional braces are not removable, which means they prevent you from eating certain foods that could cause damage. With Invisalign, you take the aligners out to eat, so there are no real limitations. As long as you wear them for the prescribed amount of time, Invisalign may have a shorter treatment period than metal braces.
Every patient must get a new set of plates about every two weeks. They are custom fit, allowing the teeth start adjusting to the new aligners within a day or two. While metal braces may be adjusted less frequently, the rate at which you’re fitted for new aligners makes for a shorter treatment period in most cases.
There may be some pressure when you receive new aligners as your teeth adjust. However, metal braces can cut and irritate the skin. This simply doesn’t happen with Invisalign. In general, patients find clear aligners to bring less discomfort than traditional braces.
Invisalign is great for overbites, underbites, overcrowding, and large bites. If you have any of these concerns and are interested in having them corrected, consider Invisalign. There are many benefits in choosing Invisalign over other more traditional methods of braces. Contact us to see if Invisalign might be an excellent option for you.