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Invisalign retainers sitting on a table.

The Benefits of Invisalign for Orthodontic Treatment

Before you get started on orthodontic treatment, you’ll need to figure out which type of braces you plan to use. While some situations will necessitate one type over another, most people have several choices. One of the most popular modern choices is Invisalign. But what are the benefits of Invisalign and why is it so popular? 

Practically Invisible 

The number one benefit of Invisalign, and perhaps its most popular one, is the fact that the aligners are practically impossible for others to see. Typical metal braces can make children and adults hesitate to move forward with orthodontic treatment due to social concerns. Children may have anxiety about dealing with other children while wearing braces, and adults may be embarrassed to interact in their professional environment with braces. 

The social stigma of braces has largely diminished – especially as more adults are finding that orthodontic treatment can improve their oral health and self-esteem and investigating adult orthodontics. However, Invisalign eliminates the fears or anxieties for many who may otherwise skip orthodontic treatment. 

While there’s no reason to have anxiety about even metal braces, it’s easy to understand the concerns for both children and adults. Invisalign’s ability to subtly improve your alignment means more people with malocclusions are willing to take the leap into a treatment plan!  

Restriction-Free Eating 

Certain foods simply aren’t safe to eat with traditional braces. Sticky or hard foods can cause damage and delay your treatment. But traditional treatment, which takes months and sometimes a year or more could require you to avoid them until your braces are removed! 

Another one of Invisalign’s primary benefits is that you won’t have to worry about it! While you can only drink water with your aligners in, you can remove them instantly for meals or snacks. If you love popcorn, taffy or other foods that would cause problems with metal braces, Invisalign will work great for you. 

The only restriction when it comes to how you eat is how much time you spend with your aligners off. You need to keep the aligners on your teeth for 22 to 23 hours bare-minimum a day. So feel free to eat your favorite foods, but don’t linger with your aligners off for long periods of time!  

Comfortable Treatment 

One of the biggest myths of orthodontic treatment is that it hurts. While it may have been true decades ago, all types of braces, from traditional metal ones to Invisalign, are designed to improve your oral health with as little discomfort as possible. However, getting used to having metal brackets in your mouth can still take some time. 

With Invisalign, that’s not a problem. Wearing aligners isn’t much different from wearing a mouthguard. It still takes a little getting used to, especially when it comes to talking clearly. However, the plastic aligners are much gentler on the inside of your mouth, especially the inside of your lips.  

Invisalign Means Faster Treatment 

Orthodontic treatment is important, but results take time. For Invisalign patients, those results can come sooner than other types of braces! 

Every person who needs treatment will have a different timeline for their process. Some may only take months, and some take several years depending on the severity of their concerns. With Invisalign, the average treatment time is around 1 to 1.5 years. 

It’s exciting to be able to enjoy the results sooner, and to be able to achieve it sometimes without anyone else noticing the transitional period! Of course, to stay on track, it’s important to follow your orthodontist’s recommendations and keep them on for most of the day! 

Easy Cleaning 

A clean mouth takes a lifetime of care. Cleaning bacteria from your teeth and gums can be tough! Braces can make that dental care a bit more challenging. With traditional brackets and wires from many types of braces, you must take care not to damage them as you clean around them. 

Because Invisalign lets you remove your aligners as needed, you can simply continue the same daily routine you had prior to starting treatment. The only difference is that you’ll want to also take the time to clean your aligners – which is just as easy! 

Simple to Understand Progression 

The basic mechanics behind all types of braces are easy to understand. Over time, they gently help pull your teeth into a position your orthodontist believes is optimal for your unique mouth. However, traditional wires and brackets involve some manual adjustment and several visits to your orthodontist to keep track of progress. 

Another one of the benefits of Invisalign is that the progress is much more obvious to you: as your treatment continues, you move through a series of new aligners that bring you closer to the ideal position for your teeth! Every time you move onto a new aligner, it can feel like another step towards completion, versus the periodic adjustments of traditional braces. 

 Information on Types of Braces

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Do you have questions about Invisalign or orthodontic treatment? We can answer your questions to keep your teeth and gums healthy – schedule a free consultation! Contact us online or call 440-842-8015 

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