The Latest Orthodontic Technology is Invisalign

July 09, 2020, Crawford and O brein

Orthodontics can give you confidence in your smile as well as improve dental health and functionality. With the variety of orthodontic options and technologies available, however, it might be hard to decide on the right orthodontic treatment for your needs. With Invisalign, you can have a completely different orthodontic experience. Invisalign is a recent orthodontic technology that allows you to have straight teeth—without the appearance of braces.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign has become increasingly popular in recent years. Invisalign uses removable, transparent trays to straighten your teeth over time. These trays are custom molded to your teeth and are replaced roughly every few weeks to further the progress of your treatment.

Invisalign is used for more than just simply improving the overall look of your smile (for example, to straighten your teeth). An orthodontist can recommend Invisalign if you have malocclusion (uneven alignment of your jaws), space between your teeth, crooked or overlapped teeth, and so on.

There are many advantages to using Invisalign as your orthodontic treatment method. Some questions that you might be asking yourself are: Am I an ideal candidate for Invisalign? What does my orthodontist recommend for me? Is Invisalign more expensive than traditional braces?

Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign – What’s the Difference?

Great question! As I previously mentioned, Invisalign is a fairly new technology in orthodontics. Many people wonder what the advantages and conditions are to using Invisalign over traditional metal braces. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more concrete differences between traditional braces and Invisalign.

Traditional Braces:

• Fix a range of orthodontic problems
• Use brackets that are fixed to your teeth (can’t be removed)
• Use brackets and wires to align teeth
• Use brackets that are coloured or are clear or metal
• Fix more complex orthodontic issues
• Are visible to others
• Vary in cost
• Require adjustments

Invisalign:

• Fixes a range of orthodontic problems
• Uses trays instead of brackets or wires
• Is easy to use as trays can be removed
• Is invisible to others
• Varies in cost
• Doesn’t require adjustments, but trays must be changed every few weeks
• Requires less treatment time

These are just a few comparisons between traditional braces and Invisalign. One of the main differences is that, when using Invisalign, you can remove the trays to eat and drink, giving you a more normal lifestyle. Also, when the trays are in place, they are practically invisible to everyone around you.

That being said, the orthodontist can have better control of tooth movement with traditional braces because they can’t be removed during treatment. With Invisalign, the orthodontist has less direct control over tooth movement, since the clear trays are removable.

Now that we’ve discussed some of the differences between traditional braces and Invisalign, you can think about which method might be a good fit. For example, if you have a less complex orthodontic situation, Invisalign might be perfect for you. 

In all cases, each method is tailored to your specific needs. Your orthodontist will be able to give you more in-depth advice on which method is right for you.

What About Cost?

Each person is unique, and so are their teeth. Similar to traditional braces, the cost is adjusted on a case-by-case basis and varies depending on your orthodontic needs. You can get an evaluation by your orthodontist to determine which method you should consider.

Normally, the cost of Invisalign varies from $3,000 to $8,000. In addition, traditional braces cost roughly the same amount—all depending on the person’s orthodontic assessment.

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

Weighing the options mentioned above is a great start to making your decision. The best way to know which treatment is right for you is to visit your orthodontist. During your consultation, the hygienist will take an imprint of your teeth to evaluate your smile. Afterwards, your orthodontist will give you all the necessary information to make an informed decision on which method you can consider.

If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, you can think about what you want out of your orthodontic treatment. There are a number of benefits to using Invisalign, including being able to remove the trays, having almost complete invisibility when wearing the trays, and so on. While Invisalign gives you the ability to remove the trays, it’s still vital to take proper care of your teeth. Brushing and flossing after each time your drink or eat is very important before putting the trays back in.

Invisalign is a unique, cutting-edge method that enables you to have a perfect smile, without using metal. It’s also a great alternative to using traditional metal braces in certain cases. However, it’s important to get an evaluation of your dental health before proceeding with a treatment. Your orthodontist is the best person to talk to about which treatment option will help you get the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

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