For those that are self-conscious about overcrowded, uneven or wonky teeth – the thought of having to wear metal braces to resolve the issue can be extremely off putting and in a lot of cases prevents patients from achieving the straight, beautiful smile that they deserve.
Thanks to Invisalign, there is no need to worry about how your teeth look during your teeth straightening treatment because this renowned solution is practically invisible, offering a discrete and effective alternative to traditional, metal braces.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign are form fitting, custom made, removable, clear retainers that work to slowly move and change the position of teeth over time. These invisible aligner trays come in sets, created in a sequence determined by the orthodontist to be worn for around 2 weeks at a time before moving onto the next set in the sequence.
They are not fitted to the teeth but instead are similar to a retainer and can be taken out at any time by the wearer, quickly and discretely.
Reasons To Choose Invisalign Over Braces
Comfortable To Wear
Traditional braces are not known for being comfortable to wear and unfortunately the sharp edges of the brackets and regular tightening can be extremely uncomfortable and often irritate, rub and cause sores, cuts and ulcers inside the mouth. Although any type of straightening treatment will require some getting used to, Invisalign is typically much more comfortable to wear with just minor tightness for the few days after starting a new tray.
Practically Invisible
Probably the most important and standout reason why Invisalign is so popular is that they are made of a thin, clear plastic which means that they are virtually invisible and barely noticeable unlike metal braces which are very obvious and can make patients feel even more self-conscious than they were about their teeth.
Oral Hygiene
Because the aligner trays are removable, Invisalign makes maintaining good oral hygiene easy for patients who are able to clean, brush, floss and rinse their teeth and mouth as normal. They just need to rinse and clean their retainer when required to help prevent bacteria from being trapped in the trays. Those with braces can find it extremely difficult to keep their teeth clean and remove trapped pieces of food which if left can lead to a build up of bacteria, decay, plaque and poor dental hygiene.
They Can Be Easily Removed
Metal braces are fixed to the teeth and can be required to stay in place for years which is not ideal for the patient. A huge bonus of opting for Invisalign over braces is that they are removable and can be taken out easily and discretely in seconds without any fuss or hassle. In order to achieve the expected results it is recommended that they are worn for at least 22 hours a day and are only taken out to eat and brush your teeth, but this does mean that on special occasions if you wished to take them out for photos etc then you have the freedom to do so!
Eat Away
With braces there are a number of restrictions, limits and don’ts when it comes to food during the course of your treatment in order to prevent damage to the brackets and wires. Things such as gum, popcorn, apples, carrots, sweets, nuts and even things like pizza crusts or bagels must be avoided when you wear a brace, which is a long time to go without some of your favourite foods!
Invisalign is taken out whilst you eat which means nothing has to be cut out of your diet and you can continue to enjoy all the foods that you love – just be sure to clean your teeth after.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both metal and Invisalign braces and both are effective at straightening teeth but depending on a patients unique dental needs, one may be more suitable than the other. If you are looking for Invisalign braces Essex but are don’t know what type is best suited to your teeth then be sure to talk through your options with a professional orthodontist who will help advise you as to what treatment will deliver the best results.