If you want to straighten your teeth but don’t want the aesthetics of traditional metal braces, you should consider Invisalign aligners. Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that straighten and realign your teeth. Rather than wearing metal brackets and wires, you wear a nearly invisible set of aligners that gently straighten your teeth. About every two weeks, you will put in a new set to aid the shifting of your teeth.
Invisalign trays are popular because they are much less noticeable than traditional braces. Additionally, they allow you a much more flexible way of living. With conventional braces, you must avoid sharp or crunchy foods that might break or damage your braces.
For example, foods like chips or popcorn can break wires or get stuck in your braces. With traditional braces, you also need to avoid whitening treatments or toothpaste. This is because there are brackets and wires that cover a portion of your teeth. However, you can still choose to whiten your teeth with Invisalign aligners.
Invisalign aligners are great for orthodontic treatments, yet, you should be aware of any disadvantages.
Not Suitable for All Issues
Clear aligners are excellent for treating many bite problems; however, you cannot use them to treat all dental conditions. This means that Invisalign aligners are better suited for mild to moderate alignment issues. For example, you can utilize clear aligners if you have crooked or crowded teeth; an overbite, underbite, or crossbite; or gaps between your teeth. Of course, these aligners are more effective for some dental issues than others.
Additionally, your dentist will see if you are a candidate for Invisalign aligners. It is possible that the structure of your mouth or the position of your teeth can affect your ability to use aligners. Also, if your issues are significant, you may need a different orthodontic treatment.
Increased Risk of Cavities or Gum Disease
When using aligner trays, it is vital to practice good oral health. Otherwise, you can increase your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease. To use aligners, you must wear the trays at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that the aligners can trap food particles and bacteria close to your teeth and gums. If you do not remove the food or bacteria, it can cause irritation to your mouth.
Plaque buildup can cause damage to your enamel and gums. For example, plaque causes inflammation and irritation to the gums as it becomes trapped underneath the gumline. Over time, this can make the gums recede. It can also cause your gums to bleed. While you use Invisalign, it is important to clean them once a day and rinse your mouth after eating.
Requires Consistent Use
One potential drawback to using Invisalign aligners is that you must use them consistently to see results. For some, this can be difficult. You can hinder your progress if you don’t keep your aligners in your mouth enough.