Invisalign is almost completely invisible, removable and still straightens teeth to help them look their very best. It has allowed teens and adults the chance to obtain a beautiful smile without worry of social stigma.

Improved Oral Hygiene

Standard braces are placed on the teeth themselves. In addition to the actual braces, there are a number of various attachments. These can include bars, elastics, rubber bands and springs, all of which can catch food, prevent you from brushing or flossing correctly and keep you from getting your teeth as clean as they could be. Food caught in braces can also cause bad breath and may result in more frequent cleanings that can add to your dental expenses.

When braces are not cleaned properly, the patient may experience tooth decay and decalcification. Even if the patient practices good dental hygiene, it is common to end up with cavities or yellowing.

On the other hand, Invisalign trays are easily removed to allow for normal brushing and flossing during treatment. This greatly reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Invisalign is More Comfortable

Traditional braces are just plain uncomfortable. There are sharp and pointy edges on the brackets as well as wires that can come loose and poke your gums. You can use bracket wax to decrease the irritation, but it can still be “a pain.”

Invisalign aligners are not made out of metal. They have smooth plastic edges that do not cause irritation to the tissues in your mouth.

Treatment Time

While every case is different, you will generally be in Invisalign treatment for a shorter period of time than you would with normal braces. Traditional braces are typically worn for around 2 years or so – though severe cases can be much longer. With Invisalign, the process is different. The length of treatment is based on how many different trays must be worn to move your teeth into the proper position. Each tray (aligner) is worn for 2 weeks and then replaced with the next aligner in the sequence. Depending on the particular amount of crowding or misalignment, the treatment time may vary anywhere between 4 months to a year on average.

Cosmetic Benefits

When you are wearing Invisalign trays, they are nearly invisible to the naked eye. This makes it a great choice for those who are sensitive about their appearance.

And although the aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours a day, this means that you still have a few hours to take them out to eat and clean your teeth – or to take them out for a special occasion. Invisalign is an excellent option from a cosmetic standpoint.

Freedom to Dine

As mentioned previously, you must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Since the Invisalign trays come out when you dine, you do not have the same restrictions on eating that you do with traditional braces. Enjoy corn, apples, chicken and chewy candies just like you did before you started treatment.

Further Benefits of Invisalign

Your Invisalign treatment is custom designed specifically for you, using a computer simulation in the dental office. This gives you the chance to view the potential changes before the process even begins. This level of patient interaction and education is not available with standard braces. When the patients can see the final results via computer simulation, there is more motivation to follow doctor instructions throughout the entire process.

An additional feature of Invisalign is that the same trays which are used to straighten your teeth can also sometimes be used as whitening trays. This means that patients can straighten and whiten teeth at the same time! At the end of the treatment, patients are stunned by the results and can enjoy straight, clean, whiter teeth.

As you can see, the benefits of Invisalign are significant and the price could be less than you may think. Speak with your FLOSS Dentist soon to find out if Invisalign might be a good option to give you the smile you have always wanted.