An estimated 13 million people have experienced the benefits of Invisalign to date, and that number is increasing exponentially. Though having straight teeth is important for your smile and self-confidence, it has several benefits for your overall health too.
As the day moves on, plaque continuously builds up on your teeth. Brushing your teeth alone won’t rid your mouth of those pesky food particles. Further, even the best flossers can’t adequately get between crooked teeth at places where food particles are left behind and can start to decay. Straight teeth result in fewer cavities. And with Invisalign, you can get straighter teeth with the discretion you desire.
While we might not always admit it, we all want a straighter smile and the health benefits that come along with it. Invisalign provides a whole host of advantages over traditional metal braces. To start, Invisalign treatment is often far shorter than what is required with metal braces. Most patients can experience straighter teeth in just six to 12 months, whereas it can take 12 to 24 months with traditional braces.
And while Invisalign clear aligners need to be worn for 22 hours a day, they can be removed when you are eating or when it is time to brush your teeth. This provides quite a bit of convenience, especially for busy people who want the convenience to remove their aligners for speaking engagements, meals with family or colleagues, etc.
This said, there are various other benefits of Invisalign to be aware of too.
One of the most optimal things about Invisalign clear braces is that no one has to know you have them except you and your dentist or orthodontist. These discreet clear aligners are barely noticeable.
Invisalign clear aligners can solve mild to moderate dental issues in far less time than traditional metal braces. So, if you have crooked teeth, have an overbite, or have gaps between your teeth, you might be a candidate for Invisalign.
People with crooked smiles are far less likely to smile than those with straight teeth. And smiling provides us with health benefits that we might not realize. Smiling helps reduce blood pressure and stress, reduce pain, increase endurance, and strengthen your immune system.
Crooked teeth make it hard to remove food particles from between the teeth and gums. Toothbrushing and flossing become far more effective with straighter teeth, thus increasing your chances of removing dental plaque and as a result, lessening the risk of cavities down the road.
With traditional braces, there are very strict do’s and don’ts on what you can and can’t eat. For example, foods such as corn on the cob, apples, and even carrots are challenging if not damaging for metal braces and need to be avoided until after braces treatment concludes. It is also recommended that braces-wearers avoid popcorn, nuts, chewing gum, hard or chewy candy, pretzels, or crunchy vegetables and fruits. But with clear aligners, these foods are not a problem and can be enjoyed throughout treatment.
You’re probably wondering now whether you are a candidate and whether you can experience the various benefits of Invisalign. It’s essential to start by understanding that every person’s orthodontic needs are different, and Invisalign is not for everyone.
Invisalign is best for patients with mild to moderate bite issues. Those with more severe dental issues may require traditional metal braces or ceramic braces, as these oral devices can put more pressure on the teeth to provide the more significant correction needed in these cases. Further, Invisalign was designed only to correct a few teeth at a time, so if you need extensive orthodontic work, you may need to go the route of traditional braces.
Further, Invisalign is best for adults and teenagers vs. children. Because kids are still growing, their jawbone is malleable and still forming. Invisalign can help move teeth around but can’t reposition the jaw. Thus, traditional metal braces are better served for younger kids with more serious dental issues or who need help with jaw alignment.
If you live or work in the area of Reading, Massachusetts, and are ready for a straighter smile, now is the time to give First Dental Associates a try.
Give us a call at 781-423-8138 or request an appointment using our online form. Not only do we offer quality dental care for the whole family, but we offer Invisalign treatments as well. We can’t wait to meet you and help you get the smile you have always wanted!