Teeth straightening can be carried out in many different ways. Traditional orthodontic treatment has been used for over 100 years and consists of metal braces which are made up of brackets, wires and elastic bands that are fitted to the front surface of your teeth. They are adjusted at regular intervals to exert constant pressure to your teeth and push them into a neatly aligned formation. This is the most effective method of orthodontic treatment and can address a full range of orthodontic issues. With traditional braces no smile is too crooked or wonky to treat and within an average of 12 to 36 months you can straighten your teeth. Unfortunately many adults and teenagers do not like the appearance of traditional metal braces. They prefer discreet treatment options to straighten their teeth. There are different types of discreet orthodontic treatment available to meet these demands. Discreet orthodontic braces can be fixed to the mouth, like traditional braces or you can find out about removable braces such as Invisalign London.
Invisalign
Invisalign was one of the first clear aligner systems to be introduced to the public. First established in 1999, Invisalign has changed the face of orthodontics. It has quickly become one of the most popular methods of teeth straightening. In just over 20 years, Invisalign has been used to correct more than 14 million smiles. It continues to be a popular choice amongst teenagers and adults. Older patients can also straighten their teeth with Invisalign as there is no upper age limit. The prerequisite is that you have healthy teeth and gums to begin with. Your dentist will carry out a thorough examination of your teeth and gums and then put together an individually tailored treatment plan for you.
Why choose Invisalign?
There are many reasons why patients prefer Invisalign over traditional orthodontic treatment. As mentioned the main difference is that traditional braces are highly visible in the mouth while Invisalign clear aligners are almost invisible in the mouth. This means that you can straighten your teeth with Invisalign and no one will even know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. It means that you will straighten your teeth at your discretion. This is ideal for those who are already embarrassed by the appearance of their smile and do not want further attention drawn to their mouths.
Another advantage of Invisalign aligners in comparison to traditional braces is that there are fewer components that could possibly become broken or damaged. For example traditional braces are made up of three components. Brackets are attached to the front surface of your teeth, the archwire joins the brackets and the elastic bands hold them in place. These components can break or become damaged which can cause cuts and sores in your mouth and be uncomfortable. Invisalign aligners are digitally designed, precision trimmed and 3D printed for comfort. They are strong and very unlikely to break in your mouth. To avoid damage you need to take them out of your mouth when you eat.
This is the next advantage of Invisalign in comparison to traditional orthodontic braces. You can eat and drink all your favourite foods, there are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign. With traditional braces you have to be more careful as you may damage the braces whilst with Invisalign you take the aligners out of your mouth and therefore eat whatever you wish. It is also important that you take the aligners out of your mouth if you are drinking anything other than water so they do not become stained. Staining can make your aligners visible and attract unwanted attention.
Looking after your teeth
Finally, Invisalign allows you to maintain excellent dental hygiene whilst you are straightening your teeth. You remove the aligners from your mouth and brush and floss as you normally would. This is a lot more difficult with traditional braces. Brackets cover a certain surface area of the tooth and the wires also prevent you from being able to manoeuvre your brush easily and effectively over your teeth, it is also difficult to floss between the teeth allowing plaque and tartar to build up in between the components causing tooth decay or gum disease. With Invisalign it is also easier to undergo a professional scale and polish whilst straightening your teeth, whereas this can be more difficult if you have fixed braces in the mouth as the brackets and wires get in the way.
Speak to your dentist today and find out more about the advantages of Invisalign and why more and more people are choosing to straighten their teeth with a clear aligner system such as Invisalign in comparison to traditional methods.