You would have probably heard of clear aligners by now as it is fast becoming one of the most popular dental treatments. Brands like Invisalign might just be catching the attention of people now but clear aligners have been around for a long time and their technology is constantly improving every year. In this article, we will share some things that you should know if you are considering investing in clear aligners for your teeth!
Aligning your teeth can improve your oral health
Some studies have shown that if your teeth are better aligned, you’ll be less likely to get gum disease or cavities. This could be attributed to misaligned teeth being harder to clean as some areas of the mouth might be inaccessible when your teeth aren’t as aligned. Some dentists might even incorporate clear aligners into your periodontal care so as to prevent gum disease. With Invisalign, you not only straighten your teeth but it is incredibly easy to clean as no food gets stuck between your teeth and no plaque gets built up on your teeth either.
Invisalign is designed for the adult lifestyle
You might think that you are too old to be getting braces. However, Invisalign was originally made to match up to what adults would consider when wanting to get their teeth aligned. The Invisalign was designed to help in the correction of minor tooth movement or relapse if, for instance, someone who wore braces once did not keep up with their orthodontic retainer. The Invisalign is also discreet and thus, if you are working in a professional setting and do not want people to be able to see that you are undergoing comprehensive orthodontic therapy, Invisalign is the way to go. No one would notice you are wearing Invisalign till they are up close.
There are also clear aligners made for teens
While Invisalign was originally designed with adults in mind, teenagers also can get their hands on clear aligners. Keeping up with having to remove your Invisalign might be difficult, but there are some teens who are responsible enough to properly maintain their Invisalign. There are features available to help with this process for younger users such as built-in wear indicators that remind users that it’s time to change their aligners out. There is also built-in replacement protection that can come in handy if you accidentally lose your Invisalign. While Invisalign is one of the most popular options for clear aligners there are plenty of others available which can rival the very popular and well known clear aligner company. For more information, consider this resource from a website called ClearAlignerHub dedicated to alternatives to Invisalign.
They are really convenient
Braces are not only visible, but they can also be discomforting and incredibly irritating when food gets stuck in them for long periods. With Invisalign, you do not have to worry about that happening and you do not even have to alter your diet as you would have to do with braces. All you have to do is remove your clear aligner during meals and pop them back in when you are done. When it comes to cleaning up your teeth, you can floss as per usual and brush your aligners as you would do to your teeth. Clear aligners are also smooth meaning that there are no wires and metals that irritate your lips or cheeks. In the rare instances that you do feel irritated by your Invisalign, you can always remove them for a while. Just make sure to keep them off for at least 22 hours a day. You can also say goodbye to getting orthodontic wax as you would not be suffering from poxy wires and broken brace brackets.
How long do you need to wear your aligners?
As mentioned, Invisalign technology is improving every year. As it progresses, the average time for treatment has significantly reduced as well. Your treatment time will be dependent on how much alignment your teeth require but you can always consult a dentist to get a rough estimate of how long your treatment would take. You can expect to wear your aligners for about a year. There are also instances where your treatment might be way shorter. For instance, if you only require your front row teeth to be straightened, 3 to 6 months could do the trick.
You’ll have fewer and shorter appointments as compared to people who choose braces
Patients who wear braces, need to make frequent trips to the dentist to get their braces gradually tightened. In contrast, your entire Invisalign process is already mapped out from the start. All you need to do is to make sure to change your aligners to the next one as your dentist would have already directed you to do. You will have to make a trip to the dentist once in a while just to make sure that everything is going smoothly. You will not have to deal with getting bands for braces or getting your brackets removed. Your dentist is really only going to check on the progress and all you need to do is pick up the next few sets of aligners you will be needing for weeks to come.
You can whiten your teeth at the same time
Your clear aligner could also act as a whitening tray. All you need to do is place a whitening gel on the inside of each space to brighten your smile at the same time. This makes sense as your aligner is made for your teeth and is snuggly fitted for each of your teeth. Remember to get a professional-grade whitening gel to prevent any mishaps! Check with the dentist if your whitening gel is compatible with your aligners.
These days aligners can solve just about any problem
In the past, aligners could only solve certain teeth alignment issues. However, with time clear alignment has advanced far enough that even misaligned bites can be corrected with Invisalign. If you were told about a decade ago that you could not qualify for clear aligners, we recommend going to get your teeth checked again as most likely aligners can be used due to the progress in technology.
While this article might give you a better idea about the benefits of clear aligners like Invisalign, it is best to book a consultation with a dentist to see what options are available for you. If you need, do get second opinions as well. There are heaps of benefits when it comes to aligners, all you need to do is make sure you are on track and you’ll have a bright and straight set of teeth in no time.
