People have been aligning or straightening their teeth for reasons beyond aesthetics for thousands of years. Besides improving your appearance, straightening crooked teeth helps you avoid periodontal disease and jaw problems. Previously, metal braces were the only option for teeth alignment, but technology has allowed orthodontics to invent better ways to fix crooked teeth. You may be happy to know that you don’t need a mouth full of metal to straighten your teeth. Your oral health professional, Haleh Fazeli DDS, can help align your teeth with custom-made, clear aligners. Here are their benefits.
Virtually invisible
No one enjoys having crooked or misaligned teeth, but before aligners, most adults didn’t seek orthodontic treatment because they were unwilling to have metal braces. You also don’t want to draw attention to the fact that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, but that is what metal braces do. Invisalign is a game changer for adults and teenagers needing orthodontic treatment. These removable aligners are made of thin, transparent plastic that is almost invisible, so most people won’t know you are undergoing treatment. Invisalign allows you to get the beautiful smile you desire without drawing attention; it is more discreet than any other option.
No orthodontic emergencies
Traditional braces have various downsides, including the inevitable orthodontic emergencies. You can minimize the risk by following your orthodontist’s instructions on the foods to avoid, but you may still experience a broken bracket or more at some point during treatment. Creating time in your schedule to replace it can be inconvenient, but failing to replace it until your next appointment may prolong your orthodontic treatment time. But with Invisalign aligners, you don’t have to worry about breaking them. That means no need for emergency orthodontic visits.
Comfortable
Comfort is one of the main advantages of removable aligners over traditional braces. Traditional braces have metal brackets with rough edges; these usually dig and cut into your lips and cheeks. Consequently, they leave sores that heal slowly. You can smoothen the edges by applying wax outside the brackets, but the wax often falls off quickly. But Invisalign is made with smooth BPA-free plastic that fits snugly against your teeth in contrast with obtrusive metal braces. They have no wires that might poke your cheeks and soft tissues. Additionally, they eliminate the need for painful wrist tightening every few weeks. Instead, you can easily switch the aligners yourself at home after every two weeks.
No food adjustments
If you have had metal braces before, you understand how limited your food choice is since you need to stick to soft foods. Anything sticky, hard, and crunchy foods can cause the metal brackets to snap off or the wires to bend. Therefore, you can’t enjoy nuts, caramel, popcorn, corn on the cob, gum, and apples. However, with Invisalign, all food and drinks are permissible; you can remove them, so you don’t have to worry about what you eat.
Once you have removed your aligners, place them in their travel container to avoid contamination or losing them. After eating, brush your teeth or rinse with water to remove any food particles before putting your aligners back. Always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than cold water.
For further questions about Invisalign, consult your Laguna Beach Dental Excellence specialist.
