Metal Braces or Invisalign?

by | Dec 10, 2011 | Dental Health

Braces are really effective in correcting crooked teeth and improving bite etc. but often are ugly and inconvenient when eating and talking. Some adults who did not have braces when they were teenagers often have unflattering smiles that might need correction later on. Inserting regular metallic braces is embarrassing for a mature adult. To get your dream smile, you don’t need to look like a teenager with metallic braces to straighten your teeth. Invisalign is an FDA approved orthodontic treatment for correcting smiles that uses an almost invisible method to straighten your teeth.

Invisalign uses custom molded transparent removable aligners to gradually reposition your teeth. You can remove your aligners when eating, brushing or flossing or for other reasons. Invisalign is a popular alternative to metallic braces as they are virtually undetectable and do not cause abrasions from metallic frame and wires. These invisible aligners are equally easy to clean. The aligners and teeth should be cleaned before re-insertion.

Your dentist can advise customized invisalign after making a 3D computer image of your teeth to formulate a complete and precise plan for repositioning your teeth. A series of aligners would then be created to reposition your teeth over the next one or two years. Your aligners would be changed every fortnight until the end result is achieved, i.e. your perfect smile.

Although the advantages of invisalign make them a favorite among dental professionals and patients alike, there are some disadvantages from this treatment.

  • The success of the treatment depends on patient’s willingness and ability to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours in the day.
  • Invisalign is more expensive than conventional braces.
  • Some teeth like lower premolars can be difficult to treat with these aligners.
  • They are subject to damage if the patient grinds or clenches teeth during sleep or otherwise.
  • Some people also experience an initial slight lisp while talking, as they would do with conventional metal braces.
  • A few instances of allergic reaction to the polyurethane material that constitutes the aligners have been reported.
  • Unless a patient is committed to the treatment, and does not keep the braces in for the requisite lengths of time, the next aligners in the set would not be functional as they would not fit. To remedy such a situation the dentist would require a whole new set of dental impressions to order a new set of aligners.

On the whole, the advantages do outweigh the disadvantages by providing transparent, removable and hassle-free orthodontia when you use invisalign. Silver Spring residents can find a dentist near you for this innovative treatment.

Invisalign Sun Prairie WI – If you are looking for Invisalign, Silver Spring based Dana D. Keith, DDS P.C. is an experienced cosmetic dentist trained to provide high quality treatment.

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