Orthodontics: Why You Should Get Invisalign Braces

Patients who need to have their teeth aligned but are wary of traditional metal braces should consider the Invisalign tooth alignment system.

About Invisalign
With Invisalign, the patient is given custom-made trays that bring their teeth into alignment. An orthodontist who practices in an office like Beck Pearce Dental changes the trays every so often as the teeth move into their new, straighter positions. Invisalign takes about same time to work as metal braces.

Differences Between Invisalign and Braces
• Invisalign trays are nearly transparent, so it seems like the patient is not wearing anything on their teeth. Some braces can be made to be tooth-colored or almost transparent, but they still pose the same challenges as traditional metal braces, such as very careful cleaning and avoidance of chewy or sticky types of food.

• Invisalign is nearly painless. Though some patents describe some pressure on the teeth when they are first fitted, they still don’t have the discomfort of brackets and wires that can irritate the inside of their mouths.

• Invisalign patients don't need to visit their orthodontist as frequently as patients with braces. This is because the Invisalign patient isn't subject to the fastidious oral hygiene that a patient with braces has to practice.

• The patient can take the trays out. Ideally, Invisalign trays should be worn 23 hours a day, but the free hour can be used to brush and floss the teeth or to eat.

Lower Risk of Gum Disease with Invisalign
There’s less risk of gum disease or tooth loss with Invisalign. Because patients who wear traditional braces need to be so careful with their oral hygiene, some are not going to be as meticulous as they should. Younger patients are especially at risk for this behavior. They may also resent having to avoid their favorite foods and may eat them anyway. In that case, particles of food are going to be caught in the brackets and wires, which necessitates even more careful cleaning.

Because the patient doesn’t clean their braces or their teeth as thoroughly as they should, plaque and tartar build up on the teeth and finally penetrate the gums. This can lead to gingivitis, which can progress to periodontal disease if it is not treated. Periodontal disease can actually destroy the structures that anchor the tooth, which can lead tooth loss.

People who have a misaligned bite should consider the comfort and ease of care Invisalign provides. Because of this, Invisalign not only straightens a patient’s teeth, but encourages them to take better care of their teeth.