Are you considering getting braces as an adult? Many people wonder if they are too old to wear braces and how they will look.
Fortunately, you have options. You don’t have to wear the traditional metal or clear braces with the wire going across the front of your teeth. Many adults are turning to Invisalign, which provides clear plastic aligners that are hardly noticeable.
Keep reading to discover nine important reasons why Invisalign for adults is a great idea.
1. Easy to Use
Invisalign users love the fact that their liners are easy to care for. Unlike metal braces, you can easily remove the plastic aligners when you want to brush and floss. Being able to deep clean your teeth easily allows you to maintain them and keep your gums healthy.
You also can remove the Invisalign braces when it’s time to eat. You can set the braces in your cleaning solution to sterilize the aligners while you eat. You don’t have to worry about food getting caught in your braces.
2. Convenient
Patients with metal braces need to visit the orthodontist frequently for adjustments and to measure progress. Most orthodontists want to see their patients every week or every other week. So if you have a busy schedule, it can be difficult to make all your appointments.
With Invisalign, you typically have to visit the orthodontist only when you need new aligners. And most professionals will give you multiple sets of aligners so you don’t have to go to the office every week.
Typically when you start your treatment, the orthodontist will give you detailed instructions on how to use your Invisalign braces. You will know how long to keep your aligners in before moving on to the next one.
3. Lead to a Good Bite
Most people opt for braces or Invisalign to straighten their teeth and to have a beautiful smile. It’s important to feel confident about your smile and appearance.
But did you know, braces are actually meant to correct your bite, so you can avoid a number of health issues?
For example, having a good bite makes it easier to clean your teeth, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
A normal bite also prevents problems with biting and chewing, speech issues, teeth grinding, and difficulty breathing.
4. Correct Jaw Positioning
Invisalign helps to correct the position of your jaws. As such, they relieve stress on your jaws and muscles to help avoid temporomandibular joint disorders.
When your teeth are perfectly aligned, your jaws can open and close freely. You shouldn’t feel pain in your jaw, clicking, popping, or experience pain chewing. By aligning your jaw to the correct position with Invisalign, you can reduce the risk of experiencing any of these abnormalities.
5. Allow for Better Brushing and Flossing
Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean and maintain. You have adequate space to brush and floss.
Crooked and crowded teeth are difficult to clean, not only for you but also for your dental hygienist. Their professional cleaning tools may not even work if your teeth are too crowded. That’s a dangerous situation because bacteria can still remain, leading to gum disease and other problems.
But as your teeth straighten and settle into their new position, there will be plenty of room for you to maintain your teeth daily. That extra room will help your hygienist to be able to do their job more efficiently as well.
6. Aesthetically More Appealing Than Braces
One of the biggest reasons why people prefer Invisalign braces to metal braces is because they are nearly invisible. Many new patients are self-conscious in the beginning because they have something new on their teeth. However, most people are pleasantly surprised to discover that their friends and family often don’t even notice the clear braces.
There is an adjustment period as you get used to your aligners. You will notice there’s a little extra bulk in your mouth which may make it harder to speak at first.
But you will quickly adapt to the feeling and have no trouble speaking. And you’ll appreciate the fact that Invisalign aligners are far less noticeable than conventional braces.
7. Treatment Time
Depending on the condition of your teeth, your treatment time may be faster with Invisalign than with traditional braces.
Many people who have previously straightened their teeth turn to Invisalign to readjust their teeth if they are drifting apart. In such cases, the treatment time is usually less than a full year.
If Invisalign is your first treatment to align your teeth, then the time to completion is about the same as with conventional braces.
8. No Food Restrictions
Invisalign patients love the fact that the braces straighten their teeth without restricting their diet. You can take off your braces, eat what you want without worrying about chicken getting stuck in your braces.
We recommend taking your aligners out when you drink also unless you are drinking water. Many drinks, such as sodas or coffees, can leave a stain on your braces that are hard to remove.
9. No Surprises With Invisalign
When you get traditional braces, your treatment is often accompanied by trial-and-error. In other words, you wear your braces for a while, then the orthodontist analyzes your results to decide what to do next.
You also don’t have a clear end-date for your treatment. It all depends on how your teeth react to wearing the braces.
Invisalign is a little different. Your treatment, including your dental imaging, is completely computerized. So you will know from the beginning what to expect, what you need to do, and exactly how long your treatment will last.
The Bottom Line on Invisalign for adults
Invisalign for adults is a great option, especially if you are a busy professional without a lot of time for orthodontist appointments.
You can take off your aligners when you eat, drink and when you brush and floss your teeth. And best of all, the braces are nearly invisible and most people won’t even notice you are wearing them.
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