Do you have teeth that are overcrowded and crooked? Do you have gaps between two or more teeth? Is it hard to bite down or chew food due to a crooked bite? If you found yourself answering “yes” to any of these questions, then you may benefit from orthodontic treatment. In fact, you may already be considering orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth and align your bite.
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, then you are probably aware that there are two main options: traditional metal braces and Invisalign. While both methods have been proven to effectively treat malocclusion and crooked teeth, Invisalign has become increasingly popular due to its many benefits. Here are seven reasons why Invisalign is the best choice for orthodontic treatment:
Easy
One main reason why Invisalign is the best orthodontic treatment is because it is so easy. With Invisalign, you simply need to wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day. Essentially this means that you will only remove the aligners while eating, drinking beverages other than water, brushing your teeth, or flossing. With Invisalign treatment, you can also expect to visit your dentist every 6-8 weeks so they can monitor your progress and give you your next set of aligners. On average, you can expect to switch aligners every 1-2 weeks.
Discreet
Unlike traditional metal braces which use metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear aligners that fit snugly over the teeth. This design allows the aligners to be almost invisible, and allows you to undergo orthodontic treatment discreetly. The discreet appearance of Invisalign is one main reason why many people consider Invisalign to be preferential to metal braces.
Saves You Time
Since Invisalign aligners don’t need to be adjusted like the brackets and archwire of metal braces, this means that you will spend less time in the dental chair. Additionally, the average treatment length for Invisalign is only about 12-18 months, which is less than the average treatment length for metal braces. However, it is important to note that your treatment length can vary depending on your individual case.
Comfortable
The design of Invisalign aligners also makes them far more comfortable than metal braces. This is because the aligners don’t irritate the insides of your lips and cheeks in the same way that metal brackets do. Since the aligners are designed to fit snugly around the teeth, they also won’t rub or irritate the gums. While you may still experience mild discomfort when progressing to a new aligner, this is normal while undergoing orthodontic treatment and can be remedied with over the counter pain medication.
Versatile
Invisalign aligners can correct a number of orthodontic issues such as teeth that are overlapping, crooked, overcrowded, or that have gaps in between them. Invisalign aligners can also be used to correct different types of malocclusion such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
Effective
Not only can Invisalign aligners fix a variety of orthodontic issues, but they are extremely effective in correcting the alignment of your teeth and bite. In fact, many studies have shown that orthodontic treatment with Invisalign produces similar results and retention rates as treatment with metal braces. This is due to the fact that both orthodontic methods use the same basic principle of applying pressure to gradually move the teeth. The difference between the two is that metal braces use brackets and an archwire, while Invisalign uses specialized aligners made with SmartTrack® material to apply the necessary force.
Affordable
The final reason why Invisalign is the best choice for orthodontic treatment is that it is affordable. Generally speaking, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign costs about the same as orthodontic treatment with metal braces. However, the total cost of your treatment will depend on your individual case and dental insurance plan. To determine how much Invisalign treatment will cost you, schedule a consultation with your local Invisalign dentist today.