Misaligned teeth can put a damper on many things, including your self-confidence. Fortunately, every orthodontic problem today has a viable solution, as does the problem of misaligned teeth. Metal braces have long been the only option, but clear Invisalign aligners have gradually gained popularity and taken their place.
Fortunately, both options are close to one another in terms of costs. Why people choose Invisalign aligners over braces has more to do with the benefits discussed below. In Cookeville, Tennessee, the average cost of Invisalign aligners is between $1800 to $9500, while traditional braces can cost between $2000 and $8000. The prices vary depending on the specific case. So what makes Invisalign the more popular choice? The following are some of the many benefits Invisalign has over traditional braces:
- Aesthetics
The number one reason most people choose Invisalign, or ‘invisible’ aligners, is that they look better. Traditional braces don’t offer the same subtlety as Invisalign and are often considered unappealing, especially if you are a career-oriented adult.
Teens today also prefer to maintain the aesthetics of their smile while discretely correcting any misalignment. Special Invisalign aligners designed specifically for the growing mouths of children and teens have also come about. For those in search of Invisalign in Cookeville, TN, for their teens, there is good news; this technology has been introduced here.
- Less frequent visits to the orthodontist
With aligners, you get a series of aligner trays that follow a specific timeline; usually, the next set is used after every two weeks. Your orthodontist will often give you several sets in advance and instructions for their use. This means you can go without physically visiting your orthodontist for a long time. You can move on to the next phase of the treatment without an office visit to the orthodontist.
On average, you must visit the orthodontist every three months for aligners. Choose braces over invisible aligners, and your visits will increase to almost one every month for fixing new wires and tightening the braces. It isn’t always easy to schedule regular appointments during busy workdays.
- Faster and more efficient results
Correcting your teeth’s alignment will take almost a year if you opt for Invisalign treatment. For some cases, it might need up to a year and a half or two; the length of time depends on the unique case, but either way, Invisalign is almost always a faster alternative to traditional braces. Depending on the complexity of the problem, it does not take any longer than two years. On the other hand, braces take two years on average and may go up to 3 years for some patients.
It is also a well-researched and reliable solution. These aligners use a special SmartTrack plastic technology that makes it a quick fix for misalignment. When compared to braces, Invisalign is not only faster but also a more effective solution for certain problems like open bites. In Cookeville, Tennessee, there are many orthodontic clinics where you can find the right solution to overbites, underbites, gapped teeth, misalignment, and more.
- Comfort
Another one of the major drawbacks of metallic braces is their discomfort. Clear aligners rid you of this problem; you no longer have to contend with metal in your mouth 24/7. Clear aligners are made specifically to fit snugly like natural teeth.
Yes, there will certainly be slight discomfort when wearing the aligners, especially when moving to a new tray, but it is nowhere near the discomfort and pressure felt with metal braces. There is also no risk of cutting your gums as with braces.
Invisalign aligners are made of polyurethane plastic resin to ensure comfort, efficiency, and a customized fit. It is safe and designed to move along with the movement of the teeth in a precision-like manner.
- They are removable
To those who use braces, Invisalign users brag that they can easily remove their aligner trays. With braces, everything from brushing to flossing and eating is a challenge, but with aligners, you can simply remove the tray when doing any of these. Braces stay in for years and inevitably cause a lot of problems.
For one, you cannot eat certain types of food that risk bending the wires of your braces. With braces, you are recommended to completely boycott chewy candy, nuts, crunchy foods, ice, and more.
With Invisalign, you can eat anything your heart desires, so long as you remove your aligner trays! When you are done, you can simply put them back on.
- Easier dental care routine
It is tempting to give up the idea of maintaining a good oral care routine when you have braces to deal with! Cleaning around the wires and brackets is a hassle, and you still do not have the white smile you desire.
Many people who wear braces stop flossing altogether because of how difficult it is and end up with tooth discoloration after the braces are removed. You can brush and floss as you normally would with aligners by removing them.
Also, to clear plaque around braces, you must flow between each bracket; with clear aligners, simply wash the aligner tray occasionally, and you are good to go.
It is even worse than with braces food tends to get stuck on teeth and between the teeth and the brackets more often than normal. A greater risk of trapped bacteria exposes your teeth to the risk of plaque, gum disease, and cavities.
- No discoloration
One of the drawbacks of braces is that they can cause discoloration on your teeth once they are removed, especially if you aren’t careful about brushing and flowing. This also happens if you consume too much sugar or foods that tend to stain the teeth. Though it can be avoided if you maintain proper hygiene, the risk remains. You don’t have to worry about discoloration with aligners; you can brush and floss normally.
With traditional braces, in addition to teeth getting discolored, there is a high risk that ceramic braces, ceramic brackets, and fixtures can get stained without proper care. Elastic bands used to connect the brackets can also stain. With aligners, there is no risk if you care for your oral hygiene as usual.
Final words
While traditional braces became an outstanding solution to many dental problems, they are gradually replaced with the more advanced technology of clear Invisalign aligners. Compared to traditional braces, aligners are more efficient; they let you maintain an aesthetic smile, require less frequent orthodontic appointments, and are more comfortable and easier to care for. If you have a choice between the two, go for Invisalign aligners!
