Invisalign clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment over the past two decades. Invisalign consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that gradually shift the teeth into place over time. In 1999, Align Technology introduced Invisalign as a cosmetic alternative to traditional metal braces. Since then, over 15 million patients worldwide have used Invisalign treatment.
With its continued growth in popularity, Invisalign has become a leading choice for adults seeking discreet teeth straightening. It offers many benefits that make it an attractive option compared to conventional braces.
Here are the top seven benefits of Invisalign treatment:
Shorter Treatment Time
One advantage of the Invisalign system is that treatment time is usually shorter than with conventional braces. The average Invisalign case takes 12-18 months to complete. On the other hand, traditional braces often have a longer duration of 2-3 years before the teeth are properly aligned. This shorter timeframe of Invisalign is appealing to many patients.
Additionally, recent innovations have helped shorten Invisalign treatment even further. Options like weekly aligner changes and express packages can accelerate the timeline and reduce it to 6-12 months for less complex cases. One major advantage of this reduced treatment time is that it often translates to a decrease in the overall Invisalign treatment cost. However, it is important to note that there are many other factors, including the severity of your condition and your treatment plan compliance, that decide the total cost of your procedure.
Removability
One of the unique advantages of the Invisalign system is that, unlike traditional fixed braces that are cemented on the teeth for the entire duration of treatment, the clear plastic aligners are removable by the patient. This offers substantial benefits in terms of oral hygiene and diet.
Patients are able to remove the aligners easily to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly each day. This helps maintain good oral health and prevent tooth decay or gum disease during treatment. Additionally, patients are able to eat whatever foods they want while in treatment by removing the aligners during meals. This is a significant advantage over braces, which restrict eating certain sticky or hard foods that can damage the wires.
Furthermore, Invisalign’s removability offers convenience for important events and occasions. Patients can temporarily remove the aligners for a wedding, photo shoot, speech, or other special event without interrupting treatment. This flexibility and convenience is a major advantage of the Invisalign system.
Comfort
Invisalign aligners offer a high level of comfort compared to traditional metal braces. The smooth, plastic material of Invisalign is gentle on the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. Unlike braces, Invisalign does not have metal brackets, wires, or bands that can irritate and poke the cheeks, gums, and tongue. This reduces discomfort and irritation during treatment. Invisalign aligners also do not have sharp edges that pose a risk of cutting or injuring the mouth, which is an occasional issue with metal braces.
Overall, the comfortable fit and feel of Invisalign aligners result in a pleasant patient experience during the teeth straightening treatment.
Aesthetics
One of the most appealing benefits of Invisalign aligners is their discreet aesthetics. The clear plastic material enables the aligners to blend in seamlessly with the natural teeth. Unlike the dark metal wires and brackets of traditional braces, Invisalign is practically invisible. When worn, the aligners are difficult to notice, even from up close. This makes Invisalign an excellent choice for those desiring subtle teeth straightening that is not overtly noticeable.
Many patients appreciate that Invisalign offers an inconspicuous approach to fixing crooked teeth or gaps. Additionally, public figures and those in the limelight often prefer Invisalign for its discreet properties. Television personalities, actors, models, and more can straighten their smiles without the obvious look of braces, which may be distracting on camera. Overall, the clear aligners offer a cosmetic advantage and subtlety that allows Invisalign patients to feel confident and comfortable during teeth straightening treatment.
Effective for a Wide Range of Cases
One of the major advances with Invisalign treatment is its ability to correct more complex orthodontic cases. In the past, Invisalign was limited in the types of cases it could treat effectively. But with innovations in the Invisalign system, it can now treat a broad range of issues.
For example, Invisalign now utilizes precision bite ramps and optimized force attachments that allow for control of intricate tooth movements. This expands its ability to fix crossbites, overbites, and underbites. Additionally, Invisalign has the capability to close gaps of various sizes from missing teeth or prior extractions. The treatment can even correct more significant spacing of 6 mm or larger between teeth. Furthermore, Invisalign is highly effective at alleviating substantial overcrowding where teeth severely overlap each other due to lack of space.
While such difficult cases would have required metal braces in the past, advancements now enable Invisalign to treat them successfully.
Speech Is Unaffected
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners do not affect a patient’s speech during treatment. Braces often impede speech clarity and cause lisping because they interfere with the tongue’s range of motion. The brackets and wires make it harder to pronounce certain letters and sounds. But with Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so they do not cause a speech impediment. Patients are able to speak naturally without a lisp. This makes Invisalign a good choice for those who routinely participate in speeches, public speaking, broadcasting, or acting.
Clear communication without altered speech is a definitive advantage of the Invisalign system.
No Emergency Visits
One inconvenience of traditional metal braces is the occasional emergency orthodontic visit due to broken brackets or wires. The hardware can break or detach, requiring immediate repair to prevent slowed treatment or unintended tooth movements. But with the Invisalign system, emergency visits for hardware repair are unnecessary.
The Invisalign aligners are made of durable plastic that remains intact during treatment. Patients do not have to worry about sudden breakage requiring an urgent fix. If an aligner is lost or damaged, patients can simply revert to wearing their previous aligner until the next replacement arrives. This level of reliability and resilience is a major benefit to patients as they do not need to deal with orthodontic hardware emergencies. The Invisalign aligners hold up well during the entirety of treatment.
Conclusion
Invisalign clear aligners offer many substantial benefits that make them an attractive alternative to conventional braces. From improved aesthetics, comfort, and oral health to shorter treatment time, Invisalign provides an effective and convenient way to achieve a straighter, healthier smile. With advantages like removability for eating and brushing, no speech impediment, and fewer emergency visits, it is easy to see why Invisalign has become the first choice for so many orthodontic patients today.