The Top 5 Facts About Invisalign® Braces
For years, metal braces were the go-to option when anyone needed to get their teeth straightened. In the process, more adults were hesitant to seek orthodontic treatment. Then, Invisalign® near you took the market by storm. Now, our dentist in Alexandria can help you get a brand new smile using Invisalign braces.
Invisalign braces are an innovative orthodontic treatment that offers discretion, convenience, and comfort. All the traits are ideal for adults and teenagers looking for an alternative to metal braces.
Since you have learned the importance of Invisalign and would love to undertake the journey, you need to have the key factors that set it apart to make an informed decision. Read along to view the different things you need to know about Invisalign braces.
- There Are Different Types of Invisalign Clear Aligners
Unless you know a lot about orthodontics, there’s a high chance you might know that there is more than one kind of Invisalign. Currently, there are four varieties of Invisalign, Lite, Express, Teen, and Full.
Every treatment is customized to achieve certain goals and hasa variety of benefits. For instance, Invisalign Lite is designed to deal with intermediate orthodontic problems and can shift all of your teeth, plus the molars. Then, Express is the ideal choice if you need to fix minor problems quickly. In other words, your smile just needs a little tweaking, and you are good to go.
On the other hand, Invisalign Full is designed to tackle some of the toughest orthodontic problems. Also, Invisalign Teen does the same, but the main difference is that they have color indicators, replacement trays, and room to grow, making them an excellent choice for teens.
- Your Eating Habits Will Need to Change
The beauty about Invisalign is that you can eat whatever you want. There is no dietary restriction when you have Invisalign near you. However, you may need to alter or readjust your eating habits.
In other words, you cannot eat or drink while wearing the aligners. You can only take water, but not juice, coffee, soda, etc., since they can discolor or stain the aligners. Also, when you introduce these drinks in your mouth, plaque may start forming on the clear braces.
Besides plaque formation, eating with your aligners can damage them since they were not designed to withstand the biting and chewing force. So, before you eat or drink anything, remove them.
- Expect Some Discomfort
Wearing aligners is an entirely new experience, so you will need some adjustment period. At the beginning of the treatment, you feel pressure and discomfort. This is normal since the whole idea is to move your teeth to new positions. But if you don’t feel any pressure or discomfort, there is a high probability that they are not working as they should.
- The Treatment Takes Commitment
If you have time commitment issues, then you may not get the desired results. It is a process that can take up to 18 months. Also, they need to be worn each day for at least 20 hours. So, when you start the process, be prepared since there is no day you can rest.
In addition, Invisalign is removable, which means that you will need to pay more attention to it than traditional braces. You will have multiple aligners that you need to take care of, and it can be costly trying to replace them if they are damaged or lost.
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign has to be cleaned before wearing them, which is after every meal. This means that you need to clean your teeth and then clean the braces to prevent plaque from forming on your teeth and the aligners.
Therefore, if it is a child, a teen, or an adult, you need to be fully committed for the treatment to work.
- Invisalign Will Not Solve All Bite Issues
Invisalign is known to correct most bite-related issues such as gaps, crossbites, open bites, etc. However, when the cases are severe, you may need to go for another option, such as metal braces designed for severe cases.
The Takeaway
The importance of Invisalign far outweighs some of the inconveniences that you may face during the treatment. Now, you can make an informed decision since you know the critical things about Invisalign.
If you need assistance, you can contact our dentist’s office near you, at Burton Dentistry.