It’s no secret that braces aren’t fun. Whether you’re a teenager or well into your adult years, a mouth full of metal can be a daunting source of social torment and discomfort for a long period of time. Luckily, dental technology has progressed immensely in the past several decades and alternative treatments to traditional dental braces now exist. One such treatment used by the experts at Lakeway Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is the Invisalign procedure. We’ve compiled some of the benefits to this alternative orthodontic straightening technology below:
- Cosmetic Appearance — Again, going through the teasing and jokes that plague users of traditional braces can be no fun. And, for those who choose to have orthodontic work in adulthood it can be even worse. However, the Invisalign system removes most of, if not all, visible appearance of braces. With custom-made see-through aligners. Your smile will be on its way to straighter days without anyone knowing but you.
- Speed of Treatment — With traditional metal braces, it can take years to complete your orthodontic treatment. An Indiana study revealed that on average a typical treatment with traditional metal braces took about 36 months. By contrast, most Invisalign treatments take only 12-18 months. That’s nearly ⅓ to ½ of the time!
- Maintain Usual Habits — With traditional braces, there’s a long list of foods you can’t eat such as hard candies and popcorn. With Invisalign no such restrictions exist because the Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to maintain a normal diet without bowing to the demands of your braces. Likewise, because Invisalign’s system is removable, habits that can be difficult with braces, such as flossing can be practiced normally with Invisalign.
- Better for Your Dental Health — Perhaps the greatest aspect about Invisalign is that it has minimal impact on your dental health. Traditional orthodontic devices almost always cause irritation and root resorption. Additionally, as previously stated, normal hygiene routines can be more difficult with metal braces and patients are 50% more likely to develop tooth decay with metal braces. Invisalign, due to its removable nature and custom-fit, avoids the negative side effects that can be a nuisance to oral health.
As always, feel free to contact Lakeway Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry regarding any questions about the Invisalign procedure or to schedule an appointment with Dr. D’Alfonso.