For many of us, a uniform smile is the ultimate beauty accessory. But when our teeth aren’t in proper alignment, it can be challenging to feel our best. That’s why many people turn to orthodontics to straighten their pearly whites. However, not everyone is thrilled about the idea of bulky, metal braces. Luckily, Invisalign is a suitable alternative to traditional braces for most patients.
The Invisalign journey begins with a consultation to verify your candidacy. If you’re ready to confirm your candidacy for clear aligner therapy, contact Lakewood Dental Group in Dallas, TX, today. Just give us a quick ring at (214) 827-1885 to schedule your consultation now!
If you’re still on the fence about Invisalign, keep reading. In today’s blog, we focus on eight benefits of Invisalign to consider before starting orthodontic treatment.
1. Straighten Teeth in Incognito Mode
One of the major drawbacks of traditional braces is how noticeable they are. Sure, there are clear or tooth-colored ceramic brackets and archwires available to patients, but the extra bulk of braces can cause the lips to protrude slightly. So, no matter how seamlessly brackets and archwires blend into the color of our teeth, this slight protrusion can draw unwanted attention to the mouth.
Clear aligners, however, fit like a glove over teeth. This means that they don’t take up any more space than is necessary. As a result, patients can more discreetly straighten their smiles, allowing them to feel more confident in their treatment.
2. Easy to Remove
Dentists must cement metal or ceramic braces to the anterior surface of teeth. This means that patients cannot remove them unless they visit their dentist or orthodontist. As a result, patients with braces must avoid certain foods, activities, and behaviors. Otherwise, they may risk damaging their gear.
However, clear aligner therapy uses see-through, removable, BPA-free plastic trays instead of metal or ceramic hardware. These trays offer unsurpassed convenience, as patients can remove them at any time to eat their favorite foods, engage in contact sports, or play their favorite wind instrument.
Just remember – for optimal effectiveness, patients must wear their aligners for at least 20 hours every single day. Otherwise, they may risk delaying their results or getting an undesirable outcome.
3. Unparalleled Comfort
Remember how we were talking about the bulky gear of traditional braces? Well, not only is this hardware more noticeable, but it can cause some major discomfort. The brackets and archwires can rub against soft oral tissues, creating discomfort, inflammation, and even bleeding.
Invisalign trays, however, are smooth and flexible. This means that patients can wear them with minimal discomfort.
4. Brush and Floss Like a Champ
While traditional braces are extremely effective, they often make it much more difficult to conduct oral hygiene (especially flossing). In fact, patients with braces must get specialized tools to help them properly clean their teeth. This often makes oral hygiene feel like more of a chore, which is why many patients with braces are prone to neglect their oral health during treatment. This could have deleterious effects on both their oral and overall health, though.
But, with clear aligners, patients can simply remove their trays and brush and floss as they normally would. As a result, patients with Invisalign are more likely to conduct daily oral hygiene.
Here’s something to keep in mind – patients with clear aligners should brush their teeth and rinse their trays after meals and snacks. Otherwise, they may risk developing cavities and gum disease. While this may feel like quite the undertaking, most Invisalign patients adjust to their new oral hygiene routines relatively easily and quickly.
5. Straighten Teeth as Quickly as Braces
It’s tempting to think that braces may straighten teeth faster than Invisalign, but this actually isn’t the case. Indeed, dentists can adjust most mild to moderate misalignments in the same amount of time using clear aligners as they can with braces.
This may be due to the treatment-tracking software that dentists use to plan each patient’s Invisalign care. Using this software, dentists can make unbelievably tiny adjustments to clear aligners, adding up to major improvements. Braces, on the other hand, are slightly more difficult to adjust, which may lengthen treatment times for moderate to severe misalignments.
6. Fewer Dental Visits
Patients with braces must regularly visit their dentist or orthodontist to track their progress and make adjustments to their treatment. To achieve this, patients must go to their dental office, wait to be seen, and spend roughly 20 minutes in the dentist’s chair. This can add up to hourly appointments every two weeks, which may require time that many patients simply cannot afford to spare.
With Invisalign, however, patients can pop into their dental office and pick up their new set of aligners every week or two. This means that patients who are strapped for time don’t have to worry about shifting their busy schedules around to accommodate their care.
7. You’ll Be Joining Millions
Invisalign has been around for years because it has been clinically proven to effectively shift smiles into better alignment. As a result, millions of people have been able to achieve their dream smiles using the Invisalign system.
This means that clear aligner therapy is a tried-and-true method to straighten teeth. So, if you want to pursue Invisalign, you can feel confident that you’ll be joining millions of happy candidates.
8. You Could Save More Money
While braces and Invisalign often have similar price tags, many patients are able to straighten mildly misaligned teeth very rapidly (sometimes, in just six, short months!). The fewer months spent getting treatment, the more money patients can save overall.
Want to really speed up your treatment timeline? Be sure to wear aligners for at least 22 (rather than 20) hours daily. Patients can also pursue specialized tools to enhance their clear aligner results. These tools send low-frequency vibrations through teeth, which encourages them to shift faster and easier.
Schedule Your Invisalign Consultation in Dallas, TX
There are numerous benefits to clear aligner therapy, but you’ll never truly know until you take the leap. So, don’t wait any longer – schedule your Invisalign consultation with the crew at Lakewood Dental Group. Request your consultation here, or call our front desk at (214) 827-1885 for more information and scheduling.
