What exactly is Invisalign®?
Gone are the days of old-fashioned metal braces being your only option to straighten your teeth. Invisalign has made orthodontic treatment easier for the patient and essentially invisible to everyone else. Now patients can realign their teeth without the hassle of brushing and floss around metal braces. And all those foods that are tricky to each when braces are adhered to the teeth – like popcorn, nuts, and pretzels – can be easily enjoyed when using the Invisalign system of treatment.
How does Invisalign work?
Just like traditional braces, the Invisalign orthodontic treatment gently and carefully applies pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into the desired location. Their patented SmartTrack and SmartForce technology creates a series of custom designed aligners for each patient that gently and comfortably moves teeth. They are made of polyurethane plastic that is practically invisible, but very durable. Instead of having brackets adhered to the teeth, these aligners are simple for the patient to remove when eating, brushing, and flossing.
How is Invisalign better than traditional metal braces?
Here are some of the benefits of the Invisalign orthodontic treatment program:
Comfort
The Invisalign aligners are durable, but still flexible and not as rough on the gums as traditional braces can be.
Discreet
Don’t want to match your outfit to your braces? Not feeling like announcing to the world that you are going through orthodontic treatments? These aligners are discreet and will not stand out.
Better Oral Hygiene
Since there are no brackets fixed on the teeth, it’s much easier to brush and floss. The aligners are removed by the patient while flossing and brushing at home. The only change to the patient’s daily oral hygiene routine is to remove the aligners – which is simple and quick.
More Food Options
No need to worry about food getting stuck in your braces. The aligners must be taken out when eating, so you can eat just as you would without braces.
Protects from Teeth Grinding
An added bonus of Invisalign is that the aligners prevent teeth-grinding. You might not even realize you are grinding your teeth throughout the day or while sleeping. The aligners provide a barrier between your teeth on your top and bottom jaws saving you pain and more dental work down the road.
Is Invisalign Only for Adults?
Absolutely not! New technology has been developed to better treat adolescent patients. For instance, if the molars have not fully emerged from the gums, “eruption tabs” can be added to ensure there is enough space for the teeth to come in. Another new development is the application of “compliance indicators” that let parents and orthodontists know if the patient has been wearing the aligners. This can help hold the adolescent patient accountable for wearing the aligners as prescribed.
Is Invisalign better for my teeth?
While traditional braces are perfectly safe, it is up to the patient to properly clean their teeth on a daily basis. It’s important to take special care and attention to remove food and debris that has been trapped by the traditional braces. Invisalign is removed before eating, brushing and flossing, so no new teeth cleaning techniques need to be learned.
Both Invisalign and traditional braces can straighten teeth and take care of certain medical problems like spacing, crowing, TMJ, and bite issues. It is up to you and the orthodontist to determine which orthodontic treatment will be best for you.