Straightening your misaligned teeth is not just for aesthetic reasons. It gives better oral hygiene as straight teeth are easier to clean and maintain. As a result, they help protect teeth against decay and cavity. Correctly aligned teeth and jaw also helps to have a correct bite. There are many types of braces available that are helpful in straightening our teeth. Still, why are Invisalign touted as a better option to metal or ceramic braces?
Benefits of Invisalign over Metal or Ceramic Braces
- Removable – Braces cannot be removed as they are permanently fixed by way of brackets and wires by the dentist. Only a qualified dentist can remove them. On the other hand, Invisalign can be removed at will. So when you are eating, you can remove Invisalign and put them on once you are through with having food and rinsing the mouth thoroughly.
- Prevents Injury – For people in sports Invisalign is a boon. That is because; metal braces can cause injuries to the surrounding soft tissues. This is not possible while wearing Invisalign as they are made of high-grade plastic with no sharp edges.
- Comfort – There are no brackets unlike braces and hence Invisalign offers more comfort than the braces.
- Tightening of Braces – The issue of tightening of brackets and wires does not arise in Invisalign as they are clear aligners that can be worn with ease. On the other hand, braces have brackets glued to the enamel layer of individual teeth and they need to be tightened if they are loose.
- Maintenance – Braces are a bit difficult to maintain when compared to Invisalign. Though regular brushing and flossing are only recommended, the chances of food particles getting caught between the teeth and between the metal or ceramic brackets and teeth are higher. This problem is completely absent when it comes to Invisalign.
- The number of visits – The number of visits to be made to the dentist after wearing Invisalign is significantly lesser than the metal or ceramic braces.
- No Bone loss as in the case of metal braces – Metal braces are said to cause bone loss to some extent and this issue is totally absent in the case of Invisalign.
Choice of Invisalign over Braces
It comes to the decision of the patient when it comes to choosing between braces or Invisalign. If the patient is a young child and has chances that they would remove the clear aligners quite often which can interfere with the treatment procedure, then braces are a much better option than Invisalign. For teens and adults who are more conscious about their appearance, smile, and aesthetics, along with treatment effectiveness, Invisalign is indeed a great option.