With all the recent advancements in dentistry, so many more people today are exploring their options when it comes to making their smiles whiter, brighter, and straighter. This includes a surge in the use of teeth-straightening devices like Invisalign® aligners.
It was the orthodontics of yesteryear that included many tools and techniques that seem downright medieval compared to today’s standards. These included devices such as headgear and braces made up of metal bands wrapped around each tooth that caused days of pain following every tightening.
Invisalign is a much more accommodating and far less painful alternative to traditional braces when it comes to straightening the teeth.
Invisalign vs. Braces
Traditional braces consisted of sharp-edged metal around teeth with wires running from tooth to tooth, including rubber bands to keep a person’s bite in line. The braces of old were painful, expensive, and hurt after each orthodontic visit.
Invisalign takes a completely different approach to teeth-straightening. Custom-fit aligners that are somewhat similar to a retainer are worn for two weeks then swapped out for the next stage of aligner for the following two weeks – a process that continues over a period of 6 -18 months.
Because Invisalign is transparent (and quite thin) they aren’t as noticeable or cumbersome as traditional braces were. However, the aligners must be removed whenever a patient eats, drinks, brushes, or flosses their teeth. Drinking a cup of hot coffee can result in stains to the plastic plus the heat can warp and melt aligners, throwing off the entire process for a single cup of coffee.
Are You a Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign can successfully treat a variety of tooth-misalignment issues such as overbite, underbite, gapped teeth, crossbite, and crowded teeth.
However, if your bite misalignment is severe, or if it involves those teeth with strong, deep roots (such as molars), braces may be required. Also, people who have bridgework, implants, veneers, or crowns should ask their dentist whether Invisalign is suitable for them.
After your dentist has approved you for Invisalign, there really are not many downsides, because they are typically cheaper, as well as far less invasive and painful than traditional braces.
If you look in the mirror and wish your smile looked straighter or you have decided to investigate straightening your teeth, contact the team at Dedicated Dental to see if Invisalign is right for you. Call (702) 566-5509 or use the request an appointment form. Give yourself the smile you always wanted and
