Many patients feel reluctant to embrace and pursue braces because of their appearance. No one really wants to be the “brace face” of the group despite the many benefits the traditional option can have for a smile. If this sounds like you, our Gainesville and Lake City, FL, orthodontists may recommend Invisalign® clear aligners.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider aligners for yourself.
Invisalign: What It Is & How It Works
Invisalign consists of a set of thin clear aligners designed to be worn over the top and bottom teeth. If chosen by a patient, our orthodontists will provide multiple sets of custom aligners to be worn over the course of their planned treatment.
Much like how metal braces work, each set of aligners in a complete series applies controlled force to teeth that will gradually straighten your smile and adjust your bite over time. The main , however, is the absence of any wires, brackets, or elastics.
Invisalign Clear Aligners Allow You To:
1. Munch on Your Favorite Foods
You may have heard that with traditional metal braces or ceramic braces there are rules regarding what you can and can’t eat. Generally, foods that are chewy, sticky, or crunchy are best avoided when you have brackets or wires that could become damaged.
With Invisalign, the aligners are removable and there are no breakable metal components. Because of this, you can comfortably eat foods like popcorn, caramel, and corn on the cob without worry. After eating, it’s important to remember that our orthodontists will want you to clean your teeth and mouth as best as you can to prevent any staining of the aligners once they’re put back on.
2. Easily Practice Daily Oral Hygiene
With no wires or brackets partially blocking your access to teeth, tasks like brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily are much easier to accomplish. Getting in between each tooth to remove left behind food particles and plaque will also reduce your chances of developing any unwanted cavities.
Along with your teeth, your clear aligners will also need to be cleaned at least twice a day to prevent them from accumulating bacteria or staining. Our orthodontists recommend you try gently brushing and rinsing them off at the same time you are cleaning your teeth so it’s easy to remember.
Try the following when it’s cleaning time:
- Rinsing them with lukewarm water (never hot or boiling)
- Gently brushing them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste
- Thoroughly rinsing them again after brushing is done
- Storing the aligners in a protective case when eating or drinking to keep them safe
3. Quietly Straighten Teeth in a Less Obvious Way
Are you embarrassed about braces showing in your graduation photos or distracting those listening to your presentation at work? do not stand out like metal braces do and most people won’t notice them unless they’re viewed up close.
This means you can confidently smile during your entire orthodontic treatment and never feel like you have to hide your teeth as they’re being straightened. Keep in mind that our orthodontists want you to wear your aligners for about 22 hours a day to ensure you remain on track and make progress as detailed in your treatment plan.
4. Grab the Reins of Your Treatment
Many patients enjoy the level of control they have with Invisalign. For example, when you need your braces adjusted, you have to visit our Gainesville and Lake City orthodontics offices. With clear aligners, all you need to do at the end of a treatment stage is to proceed to the next aligner set in the series.
Our orthodontists will want you to still come in periodically to monitor the alignment of your teeth. We’ll let you know of an appropriate appointment schedule based on your individual needs and when virtual exams will suffice. Of course, you can also give our office a call anytime you have a treatment related question.
5. Breeze Through Check Up Visits
Another great thing about choosing Invisalign is that no repairs or adjustments are needed in the same way as with other types of braces. When instructed by our orthodontists, you’ll simply put in the next set of aligners after a predetermined amount of time and continue on with treatment.
We will check in to see if you’re wearing your aligners on schedule, however. If you are removing them too much and not keeping them in place as recommended, it can lead to corrections being made which delays your overall progress.
Ask Our Orthodontists About Invisalign
Braces are not the path for everyone and that’s perfectly fine. Our , can have clear aligners made just for you or your teenager if other qualifications are met. Get started by calling one of our Progressive Orthodontic Associates offices today or request an appointment online.
