A genuine, ear-to-ear smile is a nearly universal sign of happiness. Smiles are contagious, exude friendliness, and can open a lot of doors in life. One of my favorite things about my job is that I can help my patients gain a newfound confidence in the beauty of their smile through cosmetic procedures.
Many adults come to me wanting to improve the look of their teeth. They desire straighter teeth, but are hesitant to see an orthodontist about braces for a variety of reasons. I’m happy to offer clear aligner treatment with Invisalign® whenever I can. This is a great alternative to metal braces and can quickly and easily correct common smile issues.
So, how do you know if Invisalign® is right for you? Let’s look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of this modern alignment technology.
1. Skip the Metal
Many adults looking to straighten their teeth don’t like the look of traditional metal braces, and I can see why. This hard-to-miss look is basically a right-of-passage for teenagers everywhere and can look rather out of place on an adult in a professional environment.
With Invisalign®, you can get many of the same results as braces without the wires and brackets. Although some cases are too complex for this method, about 98% of patients who come to me requesting Invisalign® qualify for treatment.
These clear aligner trays fit perfectly over the teeth, making them extremely discreet. The trays are made specially to fit your needs, and every few weeks, you’ll move on to a new tray that slowly pushes your teeth into the desired position.
2. Eat What You Want
One of the most frustrating parts of traditional braces and brackets is the “Do Not Eat” list. In order to keep your braces safe and intact, you need to avoid sticky foods, popcorn, overly crunchy foods, and foods you have to bite into.
Since the aligner trays are removable, those undergoing Invisalign® treatment can still eat the foods they love without having to worry! Just remove the aligner, eat, and then put it back in. The only downside of removable trays is the potential to forget them or throw them away, so if you are an extremely forgetful person, this might be a hurdle for you.
3. Stay Comfortable
As I said before, Invisalign® trays are made to perfectly fit your teeth. Because of this, you won’t have an issue with pesky wires poking your cheek or rubbing against your gums. Say goodbye to oral numbing creams because with this treatment you simply won’t need them!
4. Oral Health Made Easy
Because your aligners are removable, your usual oral hygiene routine doesn’t have to change. With traditional braces, patients have to use floss threaders to clean between teeth. This is tedious and time-consuming, which unfortunately leads to a lot of slacking off (especially with teenagers). Invisalign® makes it possible to brush and floss as usual, which is a huge perk.
Lastly, having straighter teeth can improve your overall oral health. An aligned bite is more structurally sound, functional, and easier to clean than a crooked smile. By investing in your smile, you’re not only investing in your happiness and confidence but also in your health and longevity.
For more information on how you can improve your practice, check out my book, The Big Smile, and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
