Did you know that bite misalignment and malocclusion of the teeth are some of the most common dental concerns? It’s been estimated that in the U.S., more than 4 million people wear braces. That, too, including adults! This may seem shocking to some, but if you suffer from the same fate, you know just how disheartening it can be to deal with crooked teeth. Besides taking a toll on your mental health, it can also disrupt your oral health. That is why braces are a great help when it comes to straightening teeth. Although nowadays, more people are reverting to Invisalign than traditional metal braces, all because Invisalign is said to be faster than braces. But is that true, or is it just a myth? To find out, keep reading this blog.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign, also known as clear aligners, are the types of braces that do not require any metal counterparts. That is to say, unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is much simpler. It only relies on clear acrylic trays to shift your teeth, making them incredibly light and free once worn. Not to mention, Invisalign is completely removable. You can slip out the trays during a meal so that you can eat comfortably. Then, once you’re done, just adjust them back into place, and you’re good to go!
Although much like normal braces, Invisalign also requires bi-weekly dental appointments. This is so that the orthodontist can create personalized molds of your teeth, helping them straighten in the right direction.
Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces?
Most people believe that since metal wires tighten your teeth and physically tug at the roots, they produce fast results. But, the truth is, Invisalign, or aligners of any kind, are much faster.
You have to wait for more than a year or two for traditional braces to do their job. Whereas with Invisalign, you can get the smile of your dreams in just 12 months, sometimes less than that.
Ultimately, it depends on the severity of the malocclusion. That is to say, how bad is the damage to your teeth? If it’s bad enough to affect the entirety of your jaw, the treatment plan will obviously be longer. On the other hand, if just a handful of teeth need to be straightened, then even 6 months of Invisalign will be more than enough.
The only one who can tell you how long you will have to wear braces is the orthodontist. So, make sure you consult them before making a decision. This way, you can settle on a treatment plan that provides fast results and works best for your oral health.
Benefits of Wearing Invisalign
Now that you know that Invisalign offers quick results, you should also take a look at its other benefits, including:
- There are no limitations on what you can eat with Invisalign. You can have whatever you like.
- Oral hygiene is much easier to maintain since Invisalign is easy to remove.
- You can clean the Invisalign trays thoroughly.
- It works really fast as long as you regularly keep the trays on.
- The acrylic trays are entirely removable.
- Since the trays are made from a custom mold of your teeth, they are much more comfortable to wear.
Long Story Short
Overall, Invisalign is a wonderful option when considering straightening your teeth. Not only is it faster than braces, but it also doesn’t weigh down the teeth.
For more information or to get fitted for your own set of aligner trays, contact AK Dental at (512) 653-3008. You can also visit us at 7010 State Hwy 71, Austin, TX 78735, United States, for an in-person checkup.