What are the benefits of Invisalign?

If you have teeth that don’t meet perfectly when you close your mouth, or are twisted, crooked, gapped or overlapping, you may well be thinking about orthodontic treatment to improve both their function and appearance. In the past, patients had little option but to wear an orthodontic brace – a device made of metal wires and brackets, to force teeth into their new position. While the design of orthodontic braces has evolved into something far less intrusive, development in the dental world has created other solutions that eliminate the disadvantages of conventional orthodontic treatment. This solution is known as Invisalign.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic treatment that enables the wearer to fully participate in social situations with no worries about the appearance of their smile. Like conventional braces, Invisalign works by exerting gentle pressure on to the teeth and jaws to move them into a new and improved position. However, to do this, the Invisalign program uses a series of custom-designed, clear plastic aligners that sit over the top of the teeth, much like a shield. The treatment program is created using cutting edge mapping technology which takes the initial position of the teeth, the final position that you would like to achieve, and tracks the journey that the teeth would need to move to get there. This is translated into a series of aligners that must be worn in order for at least 22 hours each day. Each aligner is worn for approximately two to three weeks (depending on the instructions from your provider) and then you simply move on to the next aligner in the series until your treatment is complete.

The many benefits of Invisalign

The Invisalign treatment program offers a number of very important benefits which contribute towards its fierce popularity amongst the patients who choose it. Some of the most commonly-cited advantages of Invisalign include the following:

Invisibility

As its name suggests, Invisalign is virtually invisible when worn – something which is in complete contrast to orthodontic braces. This added discretion definitely increases their popularity since the wearer can still talk, laugh and smile in public without feeling that their teeth are drawing unwanted attention.

Comfort

One of the biggest problems with regular braces is just how uncomfortable they can be. They are made from a selection of brackets, wires and bands, some of which can seem to have sharp and protruding edges. However, Invisalign aligners are made from soft plastic and designed specifically for the shape and size of your mouth and teeth. This makes them so comfortable that many patients forget that they are even wearing them.

Better oral health

As you can no doubt imagine, trying to brush your teeth effectively when you have the brackets and wires of braces in the way is a very tricky and arduous task. Many dentists find that patients wearing braces still suffer from dental problems no matter how hard they try to keep them clean. Fortunately, since Invisalign is removable, patients can brush and floss their natural teeth without compromise. This means it is easier to maintain better oral health. You just need to remember to clean your aligners properly too!

Fewer visits to the orthodontist

When you opt for conventional braces, you will need to visit your dentist or orthodontist regularly so that your braces can be adjusted. This moves you on to the next stage in your treatment. Meanwhile, with Invisalign you are supplied a series of different aligners in one go. This means that you can move on to the next aligner in the series without professional intervention. Instead, you will require far fewer appointments to check on the progress of your treatment.

Eat whatever you would like!

Definitely one of the biggest draws of Invisalign is the ability to eat whatever you would like. This is possible because the aligners are removable and should be taken out to eat. While wearers of braces have to avoid foods that are sticky, chewy or particularly tough, patients who opt for Invisalign can eat whatever they like so long as they pop their aligners back in as soon as they are done.

Predictable results

Do you imagine what you would look like with perfectly straight teeth that come together as they should when you close your mouth? Thanks to Invisalign technology, it is possible for your provider to create an impression of how your teeth will look at the end of your treatment before you have even agreed on the program! The results and success of Invisalign are predictable and deliver time after time.

If you are interested in finding out more about the benefits offered by Invisalign, our friendly and experienced team of professionals would be happy to help. Please contact our offices in both Destin, FL and Panama City Beach, FL to schedule an appointment today.