Invisalign

Invisalign vs braces, which is better? This depends on your dental situation. If you need complex orthodontic treatment, such as correcting overcrowding or overbite issues, you may need traditional braces. Invisalign is ideal for those that have crooked teeth and just need simple teeth straightening, and also want to enjoy the comfort and convenience of clear, removable aligners. For Invisalign to work, you must be disciplined to wear them as directed.

There are two good answers to this question. You must wear the Invisalign aligners for at 20-22 hours each day. This means you only take them out temporarily for meals, brushing, and when cleaning them. You also wear them at night while sleeping.

The other time to consider is your treatment time. Your treatment time depends on how much your teeth need to be straightened, but typically you can complete treatment in as quickly as 12-18 months if you wear them as directed.

Invisalign requires a mature and self-disciplined patient. If someone is careless and doesn’t follow the directions and guidance of their dentist or orthodontist, there are certain things that can damage your teeth if you wear Invisalign incorrectly. For example, if you drink sugary drinks while wearing the aligners and then let the sugars sit in between your teeth and the aligners, you will have an increased risk of tooth decay. Your teeth also need a short break every day, which helps them absorb natural oxygen for a bit and get rinsed with your saliva; wearing the aligners 24/7 can damage tooth enamel and cause demineralization, especially if there are food particles stuck in your teeth and plaque is allowed to grow on your teeth. However, there is virtually no risk of damage to your teeth if you wear them as directed, clean them daily, and brush and floss daily. Your Invisalign provider will offer you specific instructions and answer all your questions about how to get the most out of this extremely popular alternative to braces while avoiding unnecessary damage to your teeth.

Each time you remove them, rinse the aligners with water before you put them back on to remove any particles and old saliva that may be on them. Each morning and night, as you brush your teeth, brush and clean the aligners using a different toothbrush (soft-bristled is best) and a small drop of clear liquid soap. Be sure to clean out and remove any food particles and buildup from the day's use. Every so often, when they start to lose their transparency, you can soak them for a bit in a mixture of water and vinegar. There are also several Invisalign cleaning systems available that some people find helpful. Always avoid exposing them to heat and direct sunlight (such as leaving them in the case on your car's dash) to prevent warping and melting.

Invisalign braces are only slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces. The real difference, however, is how much your dental insurance policy will cover. Most policies cover more of the cost for regular braces, making them cheaper, but many insurance programs are improving their coverage for Invisalign costs, so be sure to check your coverages when you are deciding between the two.