Teeth alignment is the determinant of every smile that lights up the room. While such a beautiful smile is everyone’s desire, teeth shifting presents a challenge by affecting the teeth’s alignment. According to the survey done by the American Association of Orthodontists, out of 64% of the adults who visit a dentist, the majority of them seek out orthodontic treatment.
There are many factors that can cause your teeth to shift in position, most of which are out of your control. The good news is, you can visit your orthodontist and get them aligned to your desired position. According to the orthodontists, many adults find braces uncomfortable, and many point out that it affects their professional lives. Teenagers with low self-esteem find them embarrassing. This makes Invisalign the best alternative for many adults and teenagers since they are invisible.
Invisalign aligners are designed to be invisible and removable. They are basically a set of clear hard plastic fitted by an orthodontist to your mouth. While many people find it the best way to straighten their teeth, it is important to understand Invisalign’s details at a personal level. As with other treatments, these aligners come with pros and cons. So, what are the benefits of Invisalign and its disadvantages?
Pros of Invisalign Treatment
Why get an Invisalign? Well, there are several benefits of Invisalign, which include:
- Invisible: One of the best things about getting Invisalign fitted is the fact that they are virtually invisible. Unlike braces, you will not have to worry about conspicuous metals showing up on your mouth. Most of your friends or workmates cannot tell you are having your teeth aligned. In fact, there are many celebrities with Invisalign, with the most famous stars, including Justin Bieber, having undergone this treatment.
- Removable: One of the drawbacks that come with common teeth alignment solutions must be dietary restrictions. That is where Invisalign comes in with an unmatched advantage. You will not have to avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods. You simply remove them and have your meals.
Additionally, cleaning and flossing is not a challenge at all. You can remove them anytime for brushing. Not having to worry about your oral hygiene while straightening your teeth makes it ultimately comfortable and convenient. - Invisalign Fixes several dental issues: Invisalign can help fix several dental issues like a crossbite, open bite, overbite, misaligned, teeth underbite and gap teeth. Fixing these problems goes beyond just a beautiful smile; they also decrease the rate of gum disease and cavities.
- Fewer appointments that take a short time: Unlike braces that require a patient to visit an orthodontist frequently for check-ups and maintenance, Invisalign makes the whole treatment procedure easy. You will only need to see a dentist once in 10-12 weeks, and each of these appointments takes about 10 minutes. This makes it very convenient for work and school as you will not need to take time off to see a doctor.
- Less discomfort: Wearing Invisalign does not affect your confidence as people will not notice, and it does not irritate your mouth. Unlike braces, they will not take time for your teeth and cheeks to get used to, which means you experience less discomfort. They also will not cause any cuts because there are no wires, so you can walk through the journey of your teeth alignment without any unnecessary pain!
- Easy maintenance: If you have ever had to visit an orthodontist several times to get the brackets bonded, wires changed, rubber bands placed, or springs connected, then you know how challenging maintaining braces can be. Invisalign eliminates this challenge. All you have to do is clean them well using your toothbrush, and you are good to go. In as much as they might get replaced over the course of treatment, it cannot be compared with the maintenance of braces.
Cons of Invisalign Treatment
Everything comes with its benefits and shortcomings. Invisalign is not exceptional. It comes with some negatives, which include:
You have to wear it 20-22 hours in a day to get results: If you don’t wear the Invisalign aligners for the required hours in a day, it results in the following drawbacks:
- Your straitening treatment will take longer since your teeth will not keep up well with the Invisalign aligners
- Biting and other problems will not be fixed
- Undesired results
- More discomfort, irritation, and sore teeth
Costly: One of the most discouraging negatives of Invisalign is that it is expensive. The procedure is not covered by health insurance as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. It leaves you as the sole cost bearer meaning it might throw your pockets off balance.
Initially affects your speech: Pronouncing some words will be challenging at the beginning of your treatment. Many patients who have undergone this treatment attest to the fact that it initially affected their speech. People around you may not be able to tell you are wearing an Invisalign, but they can tell there is something in your mouth. This difficulty might get better with practice.
Can cause some level of inconvenience: You cannot eat or drink with Invisalign aligners because they trap food particles resulting in discoloration and even dental issues. This means it will greatly affect your daily routine if you are a frequent snacker. It will leave you with no option but to frequently visit the bathroom to clean your teeth before putting them back on. Have we mentioned how challenging it will be while cooking since you can taste the food?
Not a solution to some specific problems: Invisalign does not correct certain tooth movements. Some of the tooth and bites problems have to be treated with braces. Your doctor will assess and evaluate your tooth and bite and suggest suitable alignment treatment.
Going through the above-detailed review of the benefits and drawbacks of Invisalign treatment, it is not sufficient for you to establish whether it is the best solution for your problem or not. We recommend that you book an appointment and discuss your treatment with a distinguished orthodontist. The orthodontist will assess your teeth, take you through every detail and recommend whether you need an Invisalign treatment.