People who are seeking a new smile will be relieved to find out that straight teeth do not have to come from a mouth full of unappealing conventional braces. There is another treatment option that incorporates invisible teeth aligners.
Invisible braces were created to respond to clients’ wishes for more discrete cosmetic dentistry; however, invisible braces work similarly to standard braces. They have been shown to be successful in treating issues such as misaligned teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, gapped teeth, and crowded teeth. They progressively change tooth movement to straighten teeth and address bite issues.
Types of Invisible Tooth Braces
There are three main types of invisible treatment options on the market right now. These are lingual braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign aligners.
Lingual braces fit behind the teeth and function similarly to fixed braces. They use wires and adjustable ceramic or metal brackets placed discretely behind your teeth to gradually shift them into position, creating an invisible illusion.
Ceramic braces use wiring to keep the brackets in place. Though ceramic braces are bonded to the surface of the teeth, they come in various off-white colors that can be adjusted to fit your teeth. The wires that link the brackets are also available in less prominent colors, such as white, making ceramic braces less visible than metal braces.
Invisalign is the most popular type of invisible braces treatment. Invisalign is a series of clear, removable invisible aligners custom-fit to your teeth. With clear aligners, there are no brackets to come off or wires to break and poke. Additionally, these clear braces are minimally invasive and resistant to clouding from wear.
Invisalign transparent aligners are made of a flexible plastic that was developed specifically for Invisalign treatment. Your cosmetic dentist will design a one-of-a-kind, computerized custom treatment that details the precise teeth movements. Based on your doctor-directed treatment plan, the Invisalign aligners are constructed to deliver the perfect level of force at the proper spot at the right time.
What Are the Benefits of Invisible Tooth Braces?
There are many advantages that come with having invisible braces. These include:
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Invisible appearance
Many people considering teeth straightening are usually concerned about their appearance. One of the most evident downsides of wearing traditional metal braces is their prominent look. This makes many people hesitant and uncomfortable about wearing dental braces as they may attract unwanted attention. In contrast, invisible braces are discreet and difficult to detect when fitted on the teeth.
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Improved oral health
Maintaining oral hygiene with teeth fitted with metal braces is challenging. Since the metal braces are attached to your teeth, it makes cleaning and flossing more challenging. As a result, food and other debris frequently become entangled in the braces and wires. With time, particles accumulate and form plaque, which leads to tooth decay.
It is, however, easier to maintain good dental hygiene when using removable aligners. Simply remove the plastic aligners and brush them lightly with toothpaste and warm water before replacing them in your mouth. It is also easy to brush and floss your teeth, lowering your chances of getting bad breath and decaying teeth.
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No food adjustments
Patients wearing traditional metal braces must be mindful of the foods they consume. They have to avoid any sticky or hard foods to avoid ripping a wire out or fully removing a bracket.
On the other hand, wearing invisible braces permits you to eat and drink whatever you want because the aligners are removable. This means that one can eat whatever they want while still undergoing treatment. However, before reinstalling the aligners, make sure to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth.
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Fewer visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office
Many who wear or have worn traditional braces have experienced wires breaking or brackets falling off, leading to emergency trips to a dental professional. Furthermore, metal braces necessitate regular visits to the dentist to tighten the rubber bands or wires.
When you begin the aligner treatment, you are given a clear aligner for the current phase as well as the subsequent stages. Receiving the trays in advance lets you go on to the next phase without having to deal with another office’s potential issue with clear aligners.
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Comfort
Basically, traditional braces work by applying tension to the brackets and wires to realign the teeth. Tightening the brackets causes soreness until the tension is released, resulting in a vicious cycle of discomfort.
When wearing invisible aligners, the person can remove the trays to eat, brush, and floss their teeth. Additionally, invisible aligners minimize the pain in your upper and lower teeth and the scraping on your tongue, cheek, and gums.
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Treatment effectiveness
The duration of your treatment is mainly dependent on the complexity of your case. Treatment may take as little as 6 months for some patients, though most will experience improvement in just a couple of weeks. Invisalign treatment plans range in duration from 6 to 24 months, depending on the severity of your situation.
However, the current average treatment time is 12 months. Treatment time is determined by how far the teeth must be repositioned or rotated. The more your bite is off, or the more crooked your teeth are, the longer treatment will take. However, if you were an adult who had braces and your teeth shifted over the years, you may just need to wear invisible braces for 10 weeks.
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Invisible braces cost
Aligner treatment costs are usually decided by the individual dentist or orthodontist. However, invisible braces typically cost no more than conventional braces. The good news is that many insurance companies now assist in covering the expense.
However, you should still consult with your insurance provider to figure out the terms of your dental insurance. In the long run, you will also save money by avoiding the inevitable broken brace posts and the requirement to reapply wires that come with traditional braces.
How Can You Get Invisalign Treatment?
If you need new aligners or any other orthodontic treatment, contact Madison Avenue Dental. You can reach them at their physical location at 730 E. Madison Avenue, Mankato, MN 56001. You can also call (507) 388-8056 to book your appointment today!