What You Need To Know About Invisible Braces

Dentist Blog

If you have crooked teeth or other issues, you may be considering braces. However, having traditional metal braces as an adult can be embarrassing. Luckily, Invisalign offers invisible braces that correct your smile without letting everyone see a mouth of metal. If you are considering invisible braces, check out these four facts.

They Are More Comfortable

Traditional braces have metal brackets and wires that can be painful, especially whenever the braces are tightened. Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that snap onto your teeth. There may be some mild discomfort each time you get a new aligner that repositions your teeth slightly. However, the plastic is smooth, so you don't have to worry about cutting your tongue or cheek.

They Are Best for Mild to Moderate Issues

If you have mild to moderate crooked teeth, gapping, etc., indivisible braces do an excellent job correcting these teeth. However, Invisalign isn't as effective as metal braces, so if you have severely crooked teeth, metal braces may be best. In addition, invisible braces aren't the best at correcting misaligned bites, such as an overbite. However, for moderate conditions, they work the same as metal braces, slowly repositioning teeth. As with braces, you may need to wear a retainer after treatment, so your teeth don't move back to their original position.

They Are Comparable in Cost to Traditional Braces

Don't let the price of invisible braces detour you from choosing them because they are actually comparable in price to traditional braces. Traditional metal braces cost about $4.937, and invisible braces cost an average of $5,600. Invisalign is more costly, but not much more than metal braces, and insurance typically pays for some of the cost. Treatment time is also about the same with traditional braces and invisible braces.

They Can Be Removed

With traditional braces, they cannot be removed until treatment is over. Therefore, there are some foods you can't eat because they can get stuck in your braces. Plus, it's hard to clean your teeth with braces, making it even more important to avoid certain foods. With Invisalign, however, you remove the trays to eat and clean your teeth, which keeps your teeth healthy without much effort. However, you need to leave your aligners in at least 20 hours a day for them to work. Therefore, if you do choose invisible aligners, you'll need to have enough discipline to keep them in your mouth except when eating and cleaning your teeth.

You're an adult, and you don't want to have to struggle with metal braces. Luckily, Invisalign is another option that gives you the beautiful straight smile you want without letting everyone know you have braces. For more information regarding braces, contact an orthodontist in your area today, such as at Cobbe Dental & Orthodontics.

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26 January 2018