Discovering What Sets Invisalign Apart

In recent years, Invisalign has become a go-to orthodontic treatment for adults and teenagers alike, with over 11 million people using it to straighten their teeth. While Invisalign hasn’t been around for as long as braces, the treatment can treat nearly all the same orthodontic issues. The main exceptions to this are severe orthodontic issues, which are still better treated by braces.

Invisalign is just as effective as braces because it operates similarly, using gradual pressure over time to shift your teeth. But if the two treatments are so similar, is Invisalign worth it? For many people, the answer is yes! Despite these important similarities, there’s plenty to set Invisalign apart from traditional braces—and it’s their differences that often leave people preferring Invisalign. If you’re wondering whether Invisalign is worth it for you, here are 6 crystal-clear benefits of Invisalign.

1. Invisalign provides a lasting impact on your oral and overall health.

Just like traditional braces, Invisalign straightens your teeth and corrects misaligned bites to make a lasting impact on your oral and overall health. One of the main reasons that orthodontic care can make such a huge difference in your health is because straight teeth are simply easier to care for. They’re easier to floss and brush thoroughly, which helps you prevent oral health issues like cavities and gum disease.

Gum disease can have a huge impact on your overall health because, when you have a severe type of gum disease called periodontitis, oral bacteria can find their way into your bloodstream. Once there, they cause widespread inflammation and can lead to a host of health problems, including increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. So there’s actually a wide range of health benefits from Invisalign just based on its ability to prevent issues like these! Amazing, right?

Aside from this, straighter teeth can also just help you feel better every day. When you have a misaligned bite, it can cause issues like frequent headaches or migraines, jaw pain, uneven wear on your teeth, and more. Straightening your teeth and bite, reduces or eliminates these issues, helping you to feel better. Since not everyone realizes that a misaligned bite is a major contributor or cause of their headaches, orthodontic treatment may even help you feel better in ways that you didn’t expect to!

2. It’s inconspicuous and helps you improve your oral health with greater confidence.

One of the most obvious Invisalign perks is in its name: its near invisibility on your teeth. While braces are infamous for their incredibly obvious appearance, Invisalign is inconspicuous. They’re so unnoticeable that most people won’t even realize you’re wearing aligners. This is ideal for adults and teenagers alike, allowing you to maintain confidence in your smile throughout your treatment. Even better, since the aligners are clear, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of your smile’s improved appearance in real-time—no waiting until braces are removed from your teeth to see the results! You’ll see a real difference as it happens, boosting your confidence even more as your treatment progresses. It makes Invisalign a great way to feel confident and—especially for adults—professional during all stages of the treatment process.

3. Invisalign lets you maintain freedom in your diet.

Most of us can admit pretty readily that we love food, but when you have traditional braces, you have to be careful about what foods you eat. Certain foods can get stuck in and around the brackets and wires in braces, making them difficult to clean, or can even damage them. As a result, there’s a list of foods you need to avoid when you have traditional braces. With Invisalign, however, you don’t have to make any changes to your diet! You can eat greens, vegetables like corn on the cob, proteins, and all of your other favorite dishes without worrying about your clear aligners.

The key? Invisalign is removable! When you want to eat, all you need to do is take your aligners out. It’s as simple as that! Once you’re done eating, you’ll need to brush your teeth before you put your aligners back in. The clear plastic can stain easily, so this helps them continue looking clear and keeps your breath smelling fresh. It’s a pretty simple routine, though, and many people find it worth it if it means that they don’t have to change their diet while they’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

4. It’s more comfortable.

Invisalign aligners are made from a clear plastic material and don’t have any sharp edges, so they feel smooth against the skin on the inside of your mouth. The wires and brackets on traditional braces can cut the skin of your mouth and cheeks or rub it raw, but this isn’t a concern with Invisalign. The smooth surface of the retainers doesn’t have any edges or cut your skin, making it much more comfortable. Plus, the aligners are designed specifically for you, following the shape of your teeth and your gums to ensure that they fit well and comfortably. After all, they’re something you’re going to need to wear for at least 22 hours a day—so they need to be comfortable!

That said, any orthodontic treatment will come with a little bit of discomfort. In braces, this discomfort comes when your braces are adjusted, while with Invisalign, it happens when you switch to a new set of aligners. This is because switching to a new set of aligners carries out the same purpose as adjusting braces, but just like with braces, this discomfort is mild and only lasts a couple of days.

5. It’s time-saving.

One Invisalign perk that many people aren’t aware of is that the treatment saves you a considerable amount of time. Invisalign teeth straightening typically takes less time than braces do. The average treatment with braces clocks in at between one and three years, while Invisalign treatments average 12 to 18 months. Some treatments take less than a year, though, and you should begin seeing improvements in your smile in a matter of weeks. Plus, Invisalign saves you time at the dentist’s office! You’ll still need to see your dentist regularly to make sure that your teeth are shifting the way they’re meant to and doing so on schedule, but you won’t have to spend time during these appointments getting anything adjusted like you would with braces. The “adjustment” happens right at home by simply switching to a new set of aligners!

6. It’s cost-effective.

Perhaps best of all, Invisalign manages all of this without costing an arm and a leg! A lot of people simply don’t realize this because the aligners were more expensive when they first came out on the market. These days, however, Invisalign is covered by most insurance plans, just like braces are. As a result, they often cost about the same as traditional braces. Every individual is different, however, so the best way to know exactly how much Invisalign or braces would cost for you is to schedule a free consultation at your dentist’s Bee Cave office. During this consultation, we can recommend a treatment option and give you estimates for the length and cost of your treatment, including how much your insurance is likely to cover.

Invisalign aligners are a reliable, affordable, and incredibly convenient way to straighten your teeth while remaining confident in your smile, so they’re worth considering for people of all ages! If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign and if they’re a good option for you, feel free to listen to testimonials from other patients or schedule an appointment with Dr. Tomasik at any time!