As great as the experience Invisalign brings, there are still customers opting for braces. In fact, Invisalign does not only have plus points, but they also may annoy users in some cases.
Below are the listed Benefits and Drawbacks of Invisalign so that as a patient, you can have a more thorough view of this treatment.
Benefits of Invisalign
- “Invisibility” – Smile with Confidence
This is the most prominent and favored advantage of Invisalign – having invisible orthodontic trays! (well, nearly invisible)
Unlike the “metal mouth” when using the traditional method, now your teeth are freed from the metal braces and strings during Invisalign treatment, with the crystal-clear trays made from a special type of thermoplastic resin.
Many celebrities have utilized this measure to straighten their teeth without drawing attention from the public and press.
Some of them are Justin Bieber, Zac Efron, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Khloe Kardashian, Britney Spears, Billie Eilish, etc.
(Demi Lovato – Disney; Demi Lovato – Getty Images for Teen Vogue)
- No Food Restriction – Eat all you want
When wearing braces, there is a long list of food that you are extremely encouraged not to touch so that your brackets and wires are not ruined. Some of the most famous ones are:
- nuts
- popcorns
- biting on corn on the cob/apple
- hard chocolate (or mostly any crunchy food existed)
- all kinds of sweets, especially chewing gum
..and the list goes on.
(Foods not to eat with braces)
What a hassle to memorize and avoid all of that! With Invisalign, all you need to do is remove and reattach after eating/cleaning, so feel more free to eat whatever you like.
- Clean with Ease
It takes a lot of effort to brush and floss your teeth, let alone with all the metal brackets and wires stuck to them. Without proper cleaning, bad oral health can occur, including issues such as cavities, swollen gum and permanent white scars on your teeth.
Invisalign simplifies your cleaning routine. You only need to remove your trays, brush them lightly with a soft toothbrush and water (not hot). And voila! Your tools are fresh again.
(Lightly clean with your toothbrush)
(Rinse under water that is NOT hot)
However, you still need to brush and floss your teeth carefully to lower the chance of dental problems.
- Fewer and Shorter Dental Visits
Braces require a lot of manual work and continual maintenance on the part of the orthodontist.
Like a car, braces require very frequent “check-ups” and even “repairs” like…
- Bonding the brackets
- Changing wires
- Placing rubber bands
- Connecting springs…
…just to name a few things.
Most of these procedures are completely gotten rid of in the Invisalign treatment.
The average time of each visit for traditional braces treatment takes up to 40 minutes. Meanwhile, it only takes about 10 minutes for Invisalign!
With Invisalign, patients can also free up their schedule with fewer visits. For patients using the traditional method, the interval between visits is about 3-4 weeks, whereas the time can be up to 6-8 weeks for Invisalign.
- No Pain Still Gain
As you start braces, you may experience some irritation or soreness in your teeth, since they are trying to adapt to the force and shift.
On some occasions, the brackets and wires can cause pain and scratches on your gum or tongue, leading to bleeding or canker sores.
By removing the braces and wires from the equation, Invisalign reduces or eliminates most of the discomfort that patients with braces have to experience.
Drawbacks of Invisalign
Besides the super great things Invisalign can give you, there are several minus points that you may want to consider while choosing this treatment.
- High Compliance, High Discipline
Unlike the metal braces that are technically attached to your teeth 24/24, Invisalign is removable. In other words, it is up to your compliance to wear it enough time according to prescription.
For best results, it is highly suggested that the patient wear the trays at least 22 hours a day.
This may be a challenge for some people, as they forget to put on the trays once taking them off, or even lose their tools.
Not wearing Invisalign enough time leads to the following consequences:
- Your teeth won’t “keep up” with the aligners, which means your treatment may take longer.
- Those who don’t wear their aligners as instructed will usually get sore teeth and experience more discomfort (as bad as braces).
- The final treatment result will be less than ideal, even though it cost you the same amount as someone who wore them correctly and got better results.
- Some tooth and bite problems CAN’T BE FIXED if the Invisalign aligners aren’t worn as prescribed.
Thus, it is best to question yourself and your child, whether you or your child can stick with the strict schedule until completion?
If the answer is no, then Traditional Braces is just the right option for you.
- No Snacks (Tiêu đề 2/Heading 2)
(Coffee sipper at work)
If you are a snacker or (coffee/juice) sipper, then Invisalign may be a nuisance to your routine.
Invisalign trays need to be removed before eating or drinking (except water), and teeth need to be cleaned before they are put back on. This is to prevent food particles trapped in your teeth and the tools, which may cause discolored or yellow aligners, or more severely, cavities and other oral issues.
You may need to adjust your habits during your Invisalign treatment. Don’t worry! Like with anything, your body gets used to whatever new habits you start – soon it will feel just as natural to not sip and snack as it once did to do so.
Some even report that they eat less frequently and lose a few unwanted pounds during Invisalign treatment!
- Difficult to Speak at first
Your speaking may be difficult for the first few days wearing Invisalign. However, this is not a big problem.
Your mouth will adapt to the trays within a couple of days and the speech issues can be solved in around a week. We kindly recommend you read some articles out loud for a few minutes a day during that first week.
This helps to train your tongue and helps you more quickly adapt to your aligners.
- Not all cases can apply Invisalign
Certain tooth and bite problems cannot be straightened through Invisalign.
That’s why it is essential to receive free consultation from a professional orthodontist first, as he or she knows your situation the best and can design a treatment plan suitable for your case and preferences.
(Consult your orthodontist)
Coming to TGM Dental, our orthodontist, with nearly 10 years experience in the field of teeth alignment, would assess your teeth and bite situation. Then, you will be given advice whether or not to use Invisalign.
Afterwards, our dentists design a treatment plan tailor-made for you, with several paying options that may meet your financial requirements.
Contact TGM Dental now for consultation from our orthodontists: (+84)913.412.568 (Hotline, Zalo, WhatsApp) or through our email info@tgmdental.net. You can also visit our Facebook Page for more information.
Or you can Make an Appointment right away for your treatment plan!