Is Invisalign the Answer for a Better Smile?

Adults with crooked teeth would often rather hide their smile than deal with several years of painful braces and embarrassing stares at their “railroad” mouth. Fortunately, Invisalign braces offer many of the benefits of traditional metal braces but with much less hassle and discomfort. Imagine no metal, ceramic brackets, rubber bands, or painful wire tightening every month. Instead, Invisalign offers a clear difference—literally. Clear plastic trays are molded to the teeth to create exactly the smile you’ve always dreamed of and at a pace that fits your lifestyle. Treatments can range from only six months to a year, so you don’t have to worry about any excessive commitments. 

The way the Invisalign system works is by gradual repositioning of the teeth. This is achieved similarly to traditional orthodontics by slowly drawing the teeth together through pressure. Whereas traditional braces use wire tightening, this method involves a series of plastic trays that simply clip over the surface of the teeth. On your initial consultation, the dentist will examine your smile and create an impression of your teeth. Through use of computer imaging, he can then predict how the teeth will shift during treatment, helping him to design a series of trays that help move the teeth along step by step to reach their final position. Patients will actually be able to see a very close approximation of how their smile will appear following treatment. With metal braces, you simply have to trust the dentist’s judgments and hope for the best. 

Besides being clear and practically undetectable, another great feature is that it is removable. Traditional braces can only be taken off by an orthodontist once treatment is completed. If removed early, all progress can be lost. Invisalign, however, simply snaps in and out, much like a retainer. While the best results will require long wear periods, you do have the option to remove them on special occasions (wedding, graduations, during photos) or if you experience any temporary discomfort such as when eating. This also means that brushing and flossing is a great deal easier so you are not at such a great risk for gum disease. There is also little to no irritation of the tender tissues inside your mouth. Patients with braces often use soft wax to help cover sharp bits of metal that can stab their gums and cause bleeding or soreness, with the custom trays, you won’t have to worry about that. 

So what problems can it address? Not everyone will be a candidate, but it can be applied to straighten teeth that suffer from several complications. Crowded teeth and those that are overly spaced apart are two of the most common complaints. When the teeth are crowded, it is sometimes necessary for tooth removal before braces can be fitted. Other issues that Invisalign is used for include overbite, underbite, and crossbite. It is important to have a consultation with a dentist beforehand to ensure you are a suitable candidate and that no other dental treatments will be needed before the first mold can be taken.