Orthodontic treatments are much more than achieving an aesthetically pleasing, straighter smile: aligned teeth are easier to clean and maintain, the cornerstone of a healthy mouth. More and more patients understand this now, so they’re looking for Invisalign® in Dallas.
Clear aligners like Invisalign consist of a series of nearly unnoticeable trays that exert pressure on your teeth, progressively shifting them into alignment. Here, we’ll explain their benefits in detail and compare them to more traditional orthodontic treatments like braces.
The Importance of Orthodontic Treatments for a Straighter Smile
We all want a beautiful smile, and straighter, properly aligned teeth often help achieve that. Nevertheless, the benefits of orthodontic treatments go way beyond aesthetics. Nevertheless, the benefits of orthodontic treatments go way beyond aesthetics.
Orthodontic treatments are important because they help ensure proper teeth and jaw function, creating a healthier smile and facial structure. Misaligned teeth can result in bad bite habits, which can cause headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, and jaw pain. Chewing difficulties can also result in digestive problems.
Ignoring alignment issues may lead to more serious dental problems over time, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Because they are easier to clean, straight teeth are less likely to accumulate food particles and plaque, which can cause cavities, gum disease, and foul breath. This supports healthy gums and helps reduce excessive wear on tooth enamel.
Additionally, misaligned teeth may affect speech clarity. Orthodontics ensures a proper bite, contributing to better digestion and clear speech.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand name for a type of thin clear aligner used in orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners have grown in popularity over the past couple of decades as a substitute for conventional metal braces, as they are intended to make orthodontic treatment "less noticeable."
Compared to the brackets and wires of traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are much less noticeable and fit snugly over your teeth. Because they’re removable, you can take your Invisalign to eat, drink, and brush your teeth, making them much more comfortable.
Invisalign uses clear aligners to straighten teeth, fill in gaps, and fix crowding and minor bite problems. The aligners are made of SmartTrack, a flexible thermoplastic. Each tray applies pressure to your teeth, encouraging them to move slowly. By shifting the plastic trays regularly, you can progressively achieve a straighter smile.
What Are Braces?
Dental braces (also known as orthodontic braces) are a type of orthodontic device used in dentistry to align and straighten teeth. Braces can fix a variety of dental problems, such as crowded, rotated, gapped, or crooked teeth.
Furthermore, the goal of braces is to improve a person's bite by fixing open bites, cross bites, malocclusions, overbites, and underbites, among other issues. For that reason, braces do more than improve your smile’s health—they facilitate chewing and speaking functions, improving your oral and overall health.
Braces come in a variety of forms, such as ceramic braces, conventional metal braces, and more.
Invisalign vs. Braces: What You Need to Know
1. Appearance
One reason Invisalign aligners are so popular is that they’re nearly unnoticeable, even from short distances. Made of clear BPA-free plastic, the trays are a discreet choice for adults and teenagers looking to improve their smile without carrying noticeable brackets and wires.
On the other hand, braces are more noticeable. These elements are composed of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, standing out against the white color of your teeth. Still, nowadays, there are more customizable options, like clear brackets and colored bands.
2. Comfort & Convenience
The plastic in Invisalign trays is smooth and custom-fitted to ensure a comfortable fit. They don’t irritate the gums and cheeks. Moreover, they are removable, which allows for easy cleaning and eating.
Braces are associated with discomfort as the metal brackets can irritate the mouth's soft tissue, such as the tongue, gums, and lips. Moreover, your teeth may feel uncomfortable after adjustments. Careful maintenance is necessary to lessen this concern.
3. Effectiveness
Invisalign is best for mild to moderate cases, including minor gaps, crowding, and misalignment. Treatment typically lasts 12-18 months, though some cases may be completed in as little as six months. Invisalign may not be ideal for complex orthodontic issues; braces or oral surgery may be necessary in these cases.
Braces are more effective for severe misalignment, overcrowding, and bite issues because they apply continuous force to move teeth precisely. Depending on the complexity, the treatment time is typically between 18 months and three years.
4. Maintenance & Hygiene
Cleaning your teeth with Invisalign is easier because the trays are removable. You can simply take them out to brush and floss, ensuring your smile remains clean and healthy. You should also remove aligners before eating and drinking anything other than water and clean them at least once a day to avoid staining and the buildup of bacteria.
Braces can trap food and plaque around brackets and wires, requiring diligent oral hygiene. Sadly, the wires make it harder to floss properly. Nowadays, several interdental cleaning options exist for people with braces, like special flossers and interdental brushes.
5. Lifestyle Impact
For optimal results, you must wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily. Additionally, patients must remove them when eating or drinking, which can be inconvenient for some.
Since braces are fixed, there's no risk of forgetting to wear them. However, dietary restrictions apply, as hard or sticky foods can damage the brackets.
Explore the Benefits of Invisalign in Dallas
Invisalign and traditional braces are two of the most common options when considering orthodontic treatment. Both can successfully straighten teeth and improve oral health. However, they have distinct differences in terms of aesthetics, comfort, and treatment duration.
Orthodontic treatments are not just about aesthetics—straighter teeth play a crucial role in oral and overall health. Correcting misalignments with braces or Invisalign can offer long-term advantages, such as enhanced comfort, self-confidence, and dental hygiene.
Consulting an orthodontist will ultimately help determine the best treatment for your specific dental needs. Contact the Mirror Lake team and get the orthodontic treatment you need!
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
