One's faith in a confident smile can play a big role in self-esteem and the projection of a positive self-regard in personal and professional relationships. A range of potential treatments including Invisalign (a clear, removable set of "aligners" that allow for some versatility to the lifestyle of the person wearing the appliance) and traditional braces can be very effective at treating the crooked teeth that may be waiting at the heart of a patient's concerns.
Understanding Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry that diagnoses, prevents, and treats problems related to dental and facial irregularity. The importance of orthodontics in dental health is immeasurable. Beyond just a pretty smile, properly aligned teeth, and jaws dramatically affect how you eat, speak and keep your mouth clean. Teeth that don't line up correctly can present problems with proper chewing, increase the wear on particular teeth and contribute to jaw pain. For these reasons, orthodontic treatment is an integral part of comprehensive dental health care.
Common orthodontic treatments in Brunswick include metal braces, Invisalign (clear aligners), and ceramic braces. This type of treatment is about choosing the appliance that will suit your lifestyle. With the help of an orthodontist, getting your smile into tip-top health can also massively impact your self-esteem and quality of life.
The Rise of Invisalign
Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, to move your teeth into the desired position. This is different from traditional metal braces, which use a system of brackets and wires to move teeth. Instead, the Invisalign treatment uses a series of custom-made plastic aligners. These aligners are generally clear and virtually invisible. The ability to remove the aligners means that it's easier to eat and perform regular oral hygiene add to the treatment’s appeal.
The way Invisalign works is that it uses 3D imaging and computer-aided design to plan the patient’s treatment. Using these technologies results in a set of aligners made to fit the patient’s mouth. The custom design of the aligners also means that the aligners appliances themselves are comfortable, as they’re made from smooth plastic that won’t irritate the inside of your mouth. At the same time, the aligners effectively move teeth without others noticing that you're wearing the appliance.
Comparing Invisalign and Braces
Invisalign and traditional braces are both effective orthodontic treatments that straighten your teeth over time, but there are a few differences between them. Braces tend to be more effective for more complex cases, especially patients who have severe misalignment or bite issues. This is because braces have brackets and wires that constantly push and pull your teeth into the correct position.
On the other hand, Invisalign is usually the better treatment for patients with mild to moderate alignment issues. Invisalign treatments are a series of clear aligners that you switch out every two weeks, and the force of each aligner slowly pushes your teeth into position.
Comfort also tends to come up when patients are deciding between Invisalign and braces. Some have told me that Invisalign is more comfortable because there are no brackets or wires that hurt their mouth. The aligners smoothly go in and are easy to take out, too, when you eat, or brush or floss your teeth.
Overall, Invisalign takes patients a shorter duration to complete the treatment, but it depends on the person. Your lifestyle and needs should definitely influence the decision that you make.