Posted: February 1, 2017
Invisalign® straightens your teeth without braces, but is it the best choice for you? Every dental treatment has benefits and drawbacks, and experienced dentist Dr. Gordon Chee looks forward to discussing your teeth-straightening options with you. Below, find some of the main pros and cons of Invisalign®.
- PRO: Clear plastic aligners.
Some people really don't like the idea of metal brackets and wires, especially adults. They tend to be highly visible, and as a result, can make you feel less confident. Invisalign® is made of medical-grade plastic that is completely clear. The aligners fit over your teeth, gradually moving your teeth over time.
- PRO: Removable for effective oral hygiene.
The aligners are easily removed. They simply fit over your teeth like a sports guard or a nighttime tooth guard. The great thing about removing them is the ease of dental hygiene. You continue to brush and floss like normal. Braces require a more specialized hygiene routine to clean beneath the wires and around the brackets.
- PRO: Removable for easy eating.
Continue to enjoy the same foods you always have! Braces require avoidance of anything hard, sticky or overly sugary. Doing so prevents calcification and decay around the brackets, as well as breakage of the braces parts. But you simply remove your Invisalign® aligners when you eat and drink, and then place them back in afterward.
- PRO: No poking wires.
The wire of metal braces can cause some people irritation. Wires tend to poke the cheeks and surrounding tissue, which can be addressed with a gob of dental wax. But Invisalign® has no wire parts, so you can avoid the discomfort altogether.
- PRO: No broken braces.
Something that orthodontic patients try to avoid is broken brackets, displaced brackets and bent wires. Such things can happen because of eating certain foods, biting into crunchy foods, chewing ice and because of other forces exerted on the braces. Invisalign® allows you to avoid all of that.
- CON: Requires self-discipline.
If the aligners are not worn as directed, then your teeth will not move properly. Your treatment can be lengthened or ineffective as a result. So, in order to get the results you want, you must leave your aligners on continuously, taking them out for as little time as possible. The minimum wear time should be 22 hours per day. This level of self-directed involvement does not appeal to some patients, and they instead prefer braces that they won't have to worry about removing and replacing.
- CON: Not a good option for everyone.
Some people are simply not good candidates for Invisalign®. Certain tooth movements and bite adjustments are corrected faster and more effectively with braces. The only way to know what your options are is to visit Dr. Gordon Chee for a consultation.
- CON: Discomfort is not eliminated.
If you've worn braces before, you know that the first few days after your arch wires are adjusted are the most uncomfortable. Your teeth feel sore as they adjust to the new wire shape. The same thing happens each time you graduate to a new Invisalign® tray. Your teeth will feel a little sore as they adapt to the new aligner shape. But just like braces, Invisalign® adjustments that leave you feeling sore are easily addressed with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Still wondering if Invisalign® is right for you? If you live in Airdrie, Calgary or the surrounding areas, please call Aesthetic Dental Studio to schedule a complimentary consultation. You can reach our experienced staff at 403-543-4600.
