Our smile is the most important part of our face. A pearly white smile can make us look healthier and, in turn, also boost our self-confidence. However, not everyone is blessed with straight teeth. There can be a myriad of reasons one can have problems with their teeth. These include misalignment of the teeth, chips, or gaps. This is where Invisalign can do its magic. It’s the simplest, most comfortable, and highly effective way to get the perfect smile. Stay with us as we take a deep dive into what Invisalign is, how it can improve your teeth, and what you can expect before and after the procedure.
🦷 What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a dental treatment that involves the patient wearing clear aligners to make their teeth straight. Using Invisalign aligners is a much more comfortable way of treating any crooked teeth and overbites. The Invisalign aligners are completely clear, which is why they look completely invisible when worn. They also offer a lot of flexibility and control, as the person wearing them can wear them throughout the day and only remove them to eat.
To add to this, since they are made of plastic, they do not irritate the mouth or cause any kind of discomfort.
They are similar to retainers as they are almost weightless and use light pressure to straighten the teeth and move them to the right position. What’s more, they can be taken off to brush and floss the teeth to enable optimal dental hygiene.
🏥 Is Invisalign Worth It?
Invisalign can be a good choice for those who seek customizability. The process of this treatment begins with a consultation with a highly experienced dentist who will examine the teeth and their condition.
3-D Imaging technology is used to create the custom aligners according to the patient’s teeth. These custom aligners are meant to be worn up to 22 hours a day, but can be removed for eating and drinking.
In addition, these Invisalign aligners need to be worn on a daily basis for them to be effective. A couple of weeks later, you can wear another set that is part of the treatment. In the meantime, the dentist will carry out regular check-ups of the teeth
🔍 Who Needs Invisalign?
For starters, people who have spacing problems with their teeth are good candidates. The right candidate should have no issues with their gums to undergo this treatment.
In addition, the candidate should also have no cavities. In case the candidate has any dental problems, these issues will require resolving before they go ahead with the Invisalign treatment. To add to this, this treatment is also ideal for those with an overbite or underbite. Along with adults, Invisalign is also ideal for older teens
The Inviaslign treatment is great for those who want a discreet option that won’t attract attention to their teeth. And, finally, anyone who desires to get Invisalign will have to commit to keeping the aligners on for over 20 hours a day.
😁 Does it offer the Same Results as Braces?
Invisalign offers the same results as metal braces since it moves the teeth to align them, similar to how braces do. Just like how braces use brackets to add pressure to the teeth, Invisalign also uses pressure to straighten the teeth.
With a traditional brace, the wire is tightened over time, and with Invisalign, you have to switch to the next set of retainers after some time.
To add to this, Invisalign braces are completely unnoticeable as they are clear. Metal braces, however, are quite visible and are also pretty painful. Not to mention, the metal braces rub against the inside of the mouth and can hurt the soft tissue. This makes Invisalign a highly comfortable and pain-free option.
The dental hygiene routine with Invisalign is much less complicated than with metal braces. They can easily be cleaned and removed so that you can clean your teeth properly. Metal braces, on the other hand, can trap food and require cleaning between the brackets to maintain hygiene.
🦷 Invisalign Side Effects
With all the positives about Invisalign, there are also a few disadvantages to know about:
- For starters, Invisalign can sometimes cause people to develop a bit of a lisp and make it hard to pronounce certain words. However, there are some people who may not notice any speech problems when using Invisalign.
- Some even get dry mouth from wearing their Invisalign. Since the Invisalign sits on the gums and teeth, it can disrupt the movement of saliva in the mouth.
- An ill-fitted Invisalign can also cause teeth sensitivity.
- Since Invisalign uses pressure to align the teeth, it can cause some tooth sensitivity as well. However, this eventually subsides once you switch to your next set of aligners.
- Invisalign aligners can put some pressure on the jaw, which can cause jaw pain.
Now that you know both the benefits and side effects of Invisalign, you can make a more informed decision about your dental health.
