Benefits of Invisalign: Our Guide

If you have crooked, crowded, or unevenly spaced teeth, you may feel self-conscious when you laugh, smile, or speak. Not only that, but misaligned teeth can contribute to a range of oral health problems. Many adults are opting for invisible aligners to help correct crooked teeth. For them, the benefits of Invisalign make it an attractive option, even if they avoided traditional metal braces.

When considering the benefits of Invisalign, it is important to realize this article is for educational use only. Since each person’s oral health is unique, only a qualified dentist with Invisalign experience can help you decide whether it is right for you. Every treatment is beneficial for some people but not a good fit for others.

What is Invisalign and How Does it Work?

Before diving into two advantages to using Invisalign, it helps to understand what it is. Chances are you have an idea, but here are a few basics to make sure we are on the same page, so to speak. 

When you seek Invisalign treatment, your dentist will use proprietary imaging technology to map out a route for each tooth to achieve more optimal alignment. Custom aligner trays are crafted to gently guide your teeth towards that position little by little. You wear the trays as directed and change to a new tray according to the schedule your dentist gives you. Every few weeks, you see your dentist to ensure there are no issues and your treatment is progressing on schedule. 

According to Invisalign, you wear the removable aligner trays daily, and you temporarily remove them to eat and for dental hygiene. Invisalign straightens your teeth over time without attaching metal and bands to your teeth. 

Lifestyle Benefits of Using Invisalign

The main lifestyle benefit of Invisalign is you can remove them temporarily. You still want to wear them throughout the day and evening for the best results. However, since you can easily take them out and put them back in yourself:

• You can eat whatever you want. People wearing traditional braces have limitations on what they can eat since some foods might damage their braces or get stuck. You simply remove your aligners whenever you eat or drink anything other than plain water.
• You also clean your teeth as usual since you remove the aligners to brush and floss your teeth; the only difference is that you also rinse and clean your aligner trays as instructed by your dentist. 

Comfort and Convenience

You spend less time in the dentist’s office than you would spend in an orthodontist’s office if you had traditional braces. With braces, your orthodontist would need to manually adjust and tighten your wires or may need to fix them if one broke or popped off.

Invisalign aligners are made with thin, durable, and transparent plastic. Most people find them comfortable once they get used to them. Other people barely perceive them since they are clear and very subtle. Many adults and teens who avoided braces feel less self-conscious wearing Invisalign. 

With traditional braces, emergencies sometimes happen, possibly resulting in weekend or after-hours trips to the orthodontist. Sometimes these emergencies can be painful. Since the aligner trays are in many ways simpler than braces, there is much less risk of an emergency like breaking a wire or having a band pop off.

Other Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign has the potential to help solve a range of dental alignment problems, including

• Crooked teeth
• Overbite or underbite
• Crowded teeth or wide gaps between teeth
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Other misaligned teeth

Unfortunately, it isn’t right for everyone; this is why any treatment starts with an assessment and examination with a dentist who received specialized training in administering Invisalign treatment. In some cases, traditional braces are better. However, people are often surprised by the range of alignment issues that can be resolved with Invisalign. According to the Invisalign brand, many patients achieve their alignment goals within six months of wearing Invisalign as directed.

Sometimes traditional braces result in small white stains on the teeth after they are removed from demineralization. Since Invisalign aligners don’t rely on metal braces, you prevent this from happening. Of course, this is a small downside to braces, but if Invisalign is a good option for you, then it is worth considering.

When your dentist uses Invisalign technology, they benefit from the experience of treating over “14 million smiles,” so chances are your specific alignment issues may be similar to others who benefited from Invisalign treatment.

Since you periodically see your dentist throughout all the phases of your Invisalign treatment, it can be a great opportunity to set yourself up for a lifetime of excellent oral health. If you see the same dentist for your preventative health needs, you will be working with a dentist who has a holistic view of your oral health and who has invested their time into helping you get the smile you deserve. 

Benefits of Invisalign Over Copycat Brands

There are other invisible aligners on the market, and you may be tempted to try a cheaper option to save money. We strongly recommend Invisalign because of the brand’s proprietary technology, training provided to dentists, and quality of materials. The brand’s well-established track record and well-tested protocol make it a safer option than some of the copycats on the market. After all, the aligners are moving your teeth; why take a risk with your oral health?

Since Invisalign is a well-established brand with patented technology, they also offer a range of products, including retainers and professional tooth whitening. As they continue to innovate, chances are the brand may be a good fit during different phases of your life.

Your Next Step: Schedule a Consultation

A consultation with a dentist is your first step towards getting straighter, more optimally aligned teeth. Choose a dentist in your local area with Invisalign experience. The team at Southview Dentistry is pleased to offer Invisalign to Charlotte-area residents.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and to learn whether Invisalign is a good fit for your needs.