Invisalign is the successor to the long-reigning method of straightening teeth, metal braces. One reason that it has become so popular is the fact that instead of wearing wires on your teeth, you get to slip on a clear aligner. This doesn’t just give you an advantage in terms of aesthetics seeing as it is barely noticeable. It also works just as well as the traditional brace, with a few limitations.
At any rate, there are tons of benefits of Invisalign treatments as opposed to the wearing of a metal brace. For one, the wearer is able to remove them at will; although preferably only during meals and brushing teeth. Other benefits include being on a strict diet due to the fact that tray removal is a bit of a bother to do, so wearers typically don’t snack and/or eat less thereby allowing them to lose weight.
There are certain disadvantages, too. One would be the fact that the dental trays usually end up filled with drool when removed. Dry mouth is also a common complaint, although it can be remedied by constant access to drinking water.
Perhaps the most common misconception and the worst disadvantage of invisible brace treatment is the fact that it’s not for everyone. Just like metal braces, Invisalign treatments are mostly for cosmetic purposes. Having straighter teeth is its greatest selling point, with fixing bite and overall teeth position coming in close second.
As for other limitations, Invisalign treatments generally only fix minor issues with teeth alignment. For instance, with a tooth or a set of teeth that sticks outward, a metal brace would be a more ideal dental procedure as they have the ability to pull the teeth back. This isn’t to say that minor angular issues can’t be fixed with Invisalign, but a greater outward angle of teeth will have better results with metal braces.
If you need your teeth straightened but there’s one that sticks outward, don’t fret. Sometimes your dentist will begin with a metal brace to deal with that one tooth, then proceed with the Invisalign treatment to straighten everything at once.
To put it simply, those with crooked teeth are good candidates for Invisalign treatments. For those that have cracked, chipped, and just overall damaged and unhealthy teeth, there are other methods. Veneers, for instance, are great solutions for chipped teeth. Dentures and implants are better for those with missing teeth. Contact your dentist to see which procedure is best for you.
