Invisalign braces are one of the most popular alternatives to traditional metal braces. Like the name suggests, Invisalign braces are transparent and when worn, not visible in the mouth. Invisalign braces come without the pain and discomfort which has been commonly associated with metal braces. When you choose to get Invisalign braces you get a series of removable aligners, which are custom designed. Based on the recommendation of your dental specialist, your aligners will be replaced with the next in the series as the treatment progresses. These aligners help move your teeth bit by bit every week, eventually giving you your perfect smile.
What makes Invisalign braces so popular is the benefits it offers, quite different from the standard and much used metal braces.
Invisalign Braces |
Conventional Metal Braces |
|
Invisalign aligners are removable, making it easier to eat, drink and most importantly, clean. This makes it easier to maintain oral hygiene and reduces the risk of gum and teeth infection. |
Metal braces are fixed onto the teeth, and are removed by the orthodontist only after treatment is finished. This makes it difficult to eat hard foods for fear of breaking the braces, or even very sticky foods since they get stuck in the wires, making it difficult to clean, and increasing the chance of infections. |
|
Invisalign braces are virtually impossible to see in the mouth, making it cosmetically desirable, especially for adults who don’t want to be seen wearing metal braces. |
Metal braces are unattractive and those wearing them have a history of being teased and bullied about them. |
|
Invisalign aligners are comfortable to wear since there are smooth and don’t rub the insides of your mouth. |
Metal braces can be quite uncomfortable and often cause sores and irritation inside the mouth due to the constant rubbing. |
|
Specialists claim that Invisalign braces show results much faster than metal braces. |
Metal braces have to worn for anywhere between 2-4 years, depending on the extent of treatment to be carried out. |
|
The average cost of Invisalign treatment in the US is $5000. For minor malocclusion, the cost can be as low as $1400 - $4000 |
Metal braces cost about the same as Invisalign, also averaging about $5000. |
|
Invisalign braces are partly covered by several insurance companies and some of them have tie ups with dental clinics. It is best to check before signing up for treatment. |
Metal braces are often covered under dental insurance and it is best to check with your insurance company and orthodontist about it beforehand. |
|
Invisalign aligners can be fixed only by an Invisalign trained specialist. However, as this is relatively new in the field of dentistry, the number of specialists is still growing everyday. |
Metal braces have been around for decades and thus orthodontists who work with traditional braces can be found in every city and town. |
|
Invisalign braces cannot be used for complex and extreme malocclusions. |
Metal braces can be used to fix any kind of tooth structure. |
If you would like to get that perfect smile you’ve always wanted without pain, discomfort or the whole world knowing about it, Invisalign braces are for you. Since others can’t see your Invisalign aligners, you don’t have to answer awkward questions and this gives you added confidence in your work place and personal life. Knowing that you’re getting a new smile brings with it increased self-esteem, which translates directly into more success at work and has even been known to improve performance in bed! And of course, with a successful life comes a happy mood and improved health.
A typical Invisalign braces procedure starts with taking impressions and making moulds of your teeth. This is used to make custom aligners for your teeth, several sets to use through the treatment. These are clear, removable aligners and each set is worn for about 2 weeks each. Through the entire process an average about 18-30 sets of aligners are used, depending on the complexity of the treatment.