Whether they’re for you or your child, many options exist to improve your smile. You’re not alone if you have misaligned teeth that prevent you from smiling. The idea of wearing braces can prevent many people from taking steps to correct their misaligned teeth. Modern treatments for misaligned teeth don’t include wire and bracket braces. After the late 90s, there was a shift to clear aligners or Invisalign. Since then, Invisalign has changed orthodontic treatments, making it less embarrassing to correct misaligned teeth.
Why Invisalign is Preferred Over Traditional Braces
Introducing Invisalign was an innovative idea when it was brought into orthodontic practice. Their marketing team was given a budget of $31 million to guarantee that people nationwide could get their hands on it. Clear aligners weren’t a new concept, but Invisalign brought its differences.
Clear aligners have been around since 1971. But the first aligners were marketed as retainers that were worn after treatment. Invisalign intended to produce something more comfortable and convenient while still being invisible. Invisalign created a plastic aligner modeled after retainers. The process involved with Invisalign is that each aligner can be changed, applying pressure in various locations to coax teeth back into their natural placement.
Invisalign offers the same changes to teeth as traditional braces. However, thanks to its design, Invisalign is invisible. Being invisible wasn’t the only difference. Other benefits and differences are:
- Interchangeable- Wire and bracket braces are held in place. Invisalign makes it easy to maintain oral health because you can remove them. Removing the tray makes it easy to brush and floss, but it also makes it easy to clean the aligner. Generally, you can still eat everything you would have without wires to trap food.
- Discrete – Remember, Invisalign is virtually invisible. Unless you’re looking for the tray, you won’t be able to see it in someone’s mouth. You get the same benefits as braces without the embarrassing look of braces. The invisibility makes most patients more confident in their smiles.
- Comfortable – Invisalign is made of flexible plastic as opposed to metal. They’re more comfortable and more flexible than braces. The trays have smooth, rounded edges that don’t scrape or jab into your gums. With smooth edges, Invisalign is less likely to cause gum bleeding.
Invisalign has been shown to give patients the same results as braces. The cost is approximately the same, too. But, because Invisalign is comfortable, removable, affordable, and discrete, it’s one of the most popular options for correcting misaligned teeth.
Information About Invisalign From Your Dentist
The dentists at BlueJay Family Dental can tell you more about Invisalign. Most dental practices have abandoned wire and bracket braces for Invisalign. If you’re interested in information about Invisalign, ask about it directly. Your dentist can give you a list of benefits and tell you if Invisalign is available as a treatment. Not every case of misaligned teeth is compatible with Invisalign, so you’ll have to ask about it if you’re interested. Call us to schedule an appointment today to discuss Invisalign with your dentist.