Do you dream of a straighter smile? Whether your teeth need a total transformation or a few simple tweaks, Invisalign could be the ideal solution. Using clear, comfortable aligners, Invisalign slowly shifts your teeth into the correct position. But even if you’ve always wanted a gorgeously straight smile, perhaps you’re skeptical that Invisalign is as life-changing as people say. Are straighter teeth actually worth the effort of pursuing an orthodontic treatment? Is Invisalign that much better than traditional braces? Should you consider using Invisalign? To answer these questions, let’s explore the benefits of Invisalign.
Benefits of Invisalign
Self-Confidence
Let’s start with one of the primary reasons that people choose to straighten their teeth: aesthetics. Invisalign will give you a straighter smile, improving the appearance of your teeth and, in many cases, helping to bolster your self-confidence. If you’re hesitant to smile in photos or sometimes hide your mouth when laughing, this transformation could be life-changing. Everyone deserves to feel confident when it comes to their smile!
Better Dental Health
Straight teeth aren’t just important for appearance’s sake. As the American Association of Orthodontists points out, straight teeth provide a lot more than a gorgeous smile. When your teeth fit together properly, they’re easier to clean because plaque has fewer places to hide. Crowded, crooked, and misaligned teeth can increase your likelihood of developing cavities and gum disease. In addition, bite issues can cause issues like TMJ pain, headaches, migraines, and sleep apnea. By repositioning your teeth and ensuring a healthy bite, Invisalign can improve your overall oral health.
Virtually Invisible
If you’re already determined to straighten your teeth, one of the primary benefits of Invisalign when compared to other orthodontic treatments is that the aligners are virtually invisible. They’re clear and don’t have any metal brackets or wiring like traditional braces. Most people won’t even notice that you’re wearing them!
Comfortable
Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires, which can rub against the lips and gums, causing sores. Invisalign trays, on the other hand, sit comfortably in the mouth, snug against your teeth.
Are they always perfectly comfortable? Of course not. Because the aligners will be shifting your teeth, you will likely experience mild discomfort when you switch to a new set of aligner trays. The aligners will put pressure on your teeth to shift them into the proper position. Fortunately, this discomfort will fade within the first few days of wearing new aligners.
Fuss-Free Oral Hygiene & No Food Restrictions
When you use Invisalign, you can continue your typical oral health routine because the trays are removable. Simply remove your aligners before brushing and flossing as usual. You won’t have any food restrictions either because you’ll always remove your aligners before eating.
No Orthodontic Emergencies
If you’ve ever had traditional braces, you know that minor emergencies can crop up from time to time. For example, a bracket may become loose or detach from the tooth, or a wire might slip out and poke your gums. With Invisalign, you’ll never experience one of these annoying little orthodontic emergencies.
Removable Aligners
Invisalign aligners are completely removable. Although you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, you can leave them out for special occasions. For example, you could keep your aligners in your purse when interviewing for a job or going on a first date. You could even leave them at home while getting married! Because the aligners are removable, you have more flexibility than you would with traditional braces. Keep in mind, however, that this should be done very rarely or you’ll slow down your progress.
Fewer Office Visits
We understand that even if you love your dentist or orthodontist, you don’t want to make any more appointments than necessary! With Invisalign, you will only have to visit the orthodontist every four to six weeks or so. At the visits, your dentist or orthodontist will check your progress and provide you with new sets of aligner trays.
Partially Covered by Many Dental Plans
Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign just as they would cover traditional braces. Check your insurance plan for more information. They may cover a percentage of your treatment or a particular dollar amount. Keep in mind that there is often a lifetime cap on the amount the insurance company will pay for orthodontic treatment.
What if you don’t have dental insurance? If your employer offers a flexible savings account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you may be able to pay for Invisalign with tax-free dollars. In addition, you may be able to pay for Invisalign using monthly payments. Ask your dentist or orthodontist about financing options.
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What do you think? Have the many benefits of Invisalign swayed you? If you’re interested in straightening your teeth with Invisalign, contact Wilkinson Dental if you live in or near Springfield, MO. We use Invisalign to correct overcrowded teeth, misaligned teeth, gapped teeth, and bite problems, including overbite, open bite, crossbite, and underbite. Check out these before-and-after photos. Finally, to schedule your complimentary consultation, please give us a call at 417-708-0556 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!