A Discreet Alternative to Braces

Gaining a smile that you love through orthodontic treatment can change countless seemingly small aspects of your everyday life. It improves the health of your smile while helping you find self-confidence, changing the way you think about yourself and interact with others. But for many years, it was getting to that point that was the problem. Braces remain one of the most effective and reliable ways to shift teeth, but their metal brackets and wires cause them to become a prominent facet of your smile. This makes many people reluctant to get braces and self-conscious during their treatment.

As dental technology has improved, however, alternatives to braces have become available, allowing you to straighten your teeth in the best and most comfortable way for you. Invisalign was the first of these alternatives, allowing you to straighten your teeth comfortably and discreetly. But what exactly is Invisalign, and how does it work? To help you determine whether this alternative might be right for you, we’ve put together a guide on understanding how it works. 

Are Invisalign aligners a kind of braces?

Invisalign clear aligners are sometimes referred to as clear braces because they perform the same job as traditional braces. Just like traditional braces, Invisalign aligners straighten crooked teeth and correct misaligned bites. This puts them in the same general category as braces, but there are plenty of differences between the two treatments. 

How is it different?

Although Invisalign and traditional braces have the same job of straightening your teeth and bite, they do this in very different ways. Traditional braces consist of brackets that are attached to your teeth and connected by wires and rubber bands while Invisalign consists of a series of clear aligners that are easy to remove whenever needed. When you get Invisalign, simply moving on to the next aligner every week or two is the equivalent of getting traditional braces adjusted by your orthodontist.

Other than the way they function, another big difference between the two treatments is that while traditional braces are immediately visible on your teeth, Invisalign clear aligners are nearly invisible and are easy to remove. 

Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign can treat nearly any issue that traditional braces can, including:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Overcrowding
• Gaps between teeth
• Crooked teeth

Despite this, Invisalign isn’t always the best option for severe orthodontic issues. In some cases, traditional braces are simply the best option to correct your bite. Additionally, it’s important to consider factors like age and responsibility level before deciding if Invisalign is right for you or your child. Since Invisalign aligners are removable, it’s much easier to lose them—or to put them somewhere where they could accidentally get damaged or thrown away.

They also need to be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day to do their job properly, and they need regular cleaning to ensure they remain clear and invisible on your teeth. As a result, it’s important to consider these factors when you’re deciding between Invisalign and traditional braces. 

What is the treatment process like?

When you decide to get Invisalign, a specialized treatment plan is mapped out for you, and a series of aligners are made for you. About every week or two, you’ll switch to the next set of aligners. Just like getting traditional braces adjusted, switching to the next set of aligners gradually increases the pressure on your teeth, helping shift them a little more. You can do this right in the comfort of your own home! You’ll still need to visit your orthodontist or Invisalign dentist in Virginia Beach every four to six weeks to ensure that your teeth are moving the way they’re supposed to and that they’re doing so on schedule. 

How long does it take to complete treatment?

The length of your treatment will vary on several factors, including the severity of your case. In general, though, Invisalign treatments take an average of 12 to 18 months, though some treatments are completed in as little as six months. This makes the average treatment time of Invisalign faster than that of traditional braces. With this said, traditional braces generally treat a higher volume of severe misalignments. If you’re trying to decide between the two treatments and treatment length is a big factor for you, don’t be afraid to ask Dr. King how long each treatment would take so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

What are the benefits of Invisalign vs braces?

Invisalign is incredibly popular because it has many unique benefits. Since the aligners are clear and nearly invisible on your teeth, Invisalign allows you to remain confident throughout your treatment process, whether you’re a student or a working adult in a professional environment. Since your smile is just as visible as it was before, you’ll even begin benefitting from the changes to your smile right as they happen. The smooth plastic also makes the clear aligners more comfortable than traditional braces because there are no metal wires or brackets to risk irritating or cutting the inside of your mouth.

The fact that Invisalign clear aligners are removable also means that you can eat whatever you want throughout your treatment—no limits to your diet like with traditional braces! All you have to do is take them out before you eat. Plus, their removability also makes it just as easy as ever to brush and floss your teeth. You don’t have to worry about navigating around the wires and brackets of braces. As a whole, Invisalign aligners are incredibly comfortable and convenient, fitting into your lifestyle almost seamlessly. You do have to be careful to take good care of your aligners and brush your teeth after meals, but that’s about it!

Schedule a consultation today.

Invisalign makes it possible for you to stay comfortable and confident while you gain a healthier, more beautiful smile than ever before! So, what are you waiting for? Come sit down with Dr. King and tell him about your dream smile. He can help you choose the best way to achieve it through orthodontics in Virginia Beach. Start the process today by scheduling a consultation with Dr. King at any time.