Why Invisalign Might Be the Right Choice for You

If you need braces, you might be putting off getting them because you don’t want to have a face full of metal. Fortunately, there’s a more appealing alternative: the clear plastic aligners of Invisalign®. You could transform your smile in less than a year in many cases.

Using clear plastic aligners that gradually shift your teeth into a new position, Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. Many people have already discovered the benefits of Invisalign. Thousands of people who have used it on the plastic surgery review site RealSelf report that 91 percent said it was “worth it.” Dr. Anette Betancor of Dente Complete Dentistry explains more about whether or not Invisalign might be right for you, too.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces. This system uses a series of clear plastic aligners to move your teeth into the desired place. Dr. Betancor takes a 3D mold of your mouth to make custom-molded trays for your teeth.

You have to wear them for most hours of the day, including at night. You’ll switch out the aligner trays about every two weeks to accommodate your shifting teeth.

How to wear Invisalign

Invisalign has a lot of benefits, even beyond the obvious cosmetic ones. One significant advantage of Invisalign is that you can take them out while you eat and drink. Because traditional metal braces are fixed in place and can only be removed by a professional, you have to wear them even while eating. For this reason, you have to avoid eating certain foods, such as sticky foods and popcorn, when you wear traditional braces.

Because the Invisalign trays are removable when you eat, you’re not limited in the foods you can eat. However, you do have to brush your teeth and clean your aligner trays after eating. You should only take out the trays long enough to eat; the system is designed with the expectation that you’ll wear your trays for 20-22 hours each day.

What orthodontic issues Invisalign can fix

Although Invisalign is designed to treat various orthodontic issues, it doesn’t work well in all cases. The best candidates for Invisalign have the following types of orthodontic issues:

• Underbite
• Overbite
• Crossbite
• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• A gap between teeth
• A mixture of baby teeth and adult teeth
• Those who wore braces as a teenager but need dental correction again

In general, Invisalign is most effective for people whose orthodontic issues aren’t severe, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t work at all. If you’re not sure if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, a consultation with Dr. Betancor will help answer your questions.

Who shouldn’t get Invisalign

Most people who want or need braces will find that Invisalign is suitable for their needs. However, some cases are exceptions. One exception is if you have dental cavities, which would need to be treated before you could get braces (whether Invisalign or metal braces.) Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is another exception that might limit your ability to get Invisalign.

If you want to have a smile that you feel confident about showing off, Invisalign could be the right option for you. Call Dr. Anette Betancor at Dente Complete Dentistry today or request an appointment online.