We all want our cake and eat it too, right? We want the gorgeous smile without having to suffer for it. For a long time that wasn’t possible because metal braces were your only option to straighten your teeth. Luckily today that is not the case.

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that is practically invisible and because the aligners are removable there are fewer restrictions and brushing and flossing your teeth is a lot easier.

Check out this guide, Invisalign 101: What You Need to Know, to learn how Invisalign works and what you can expect during your treatment.

What Is the Invisalign Difference?

Unlike metal braces, Invisalign aligners are not permanently adhered to your teeth. You can remove them when you eat and drink and when you brush and floss. Also because they are made of a clear plastic, most people will not even know you are wearing them, and they will not irritate your mouth or gums like the metal wires can.

Another benefit is that you can eat and drink anything you want while with metal braces you have to avoid hard and sticky foods. The great thing about Invisalign treatment is that they are more comfortable and convenient than traditional metal braces. Invisalign braces however were designed with the wearer’s comfort in mind.

Because Invisalign braces don’t include any metal or wires that could cause damage to the inside your mouth. The clear braces are designed with a smooth finish so that they are no sharp edges that can cause you discomfort. Also metal braces have been known to accelerate teeth decay because of the enormous amount of pressure put on the teeth. With Invisalign, you still get the desired results but in a way that is gentler on your teeth.

Taking care of Invisalign clear braces is also very easy. All you will have to do is brush their aligners and rinse them with warm water to clean them. Invisalign cleaning kits are also available. Talk to the orthodontist about it.

With metal braces, food tends to get stuck in the wires and between the teeth and is harder to remove causing cavities as well as plaque buildup leading to possible inflammation when the braces are removed. Brushing and flossing with metal braces is a lot more challenging. You can avoid all this by going with Invisalign aligners instead.

What Can You Expect?

Invisalign 3D technology will allow your orthodontist to create a step by step plan for your treatment so you will know what to expect every step of the way. The orthodontist will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth to create a 3-D image of your teeth and then uses this to map the exact movement of teeth needed to straighten them out. The treatment plan will also give you a good idea of how long the treatment process will take. Having a vision of what your new and improved smile will look like will help stay patient through the process. You are worth it, right?

Once the plan is in place, your first set of aligners will be custom fit to your mouth and you will need to wear them for at least 20-22 hours a day. If you don’t wear them for the prescribed amount of time, you will risk delaying your treatment so be diligent about wearing them.

Only certain teeth will be moved at a time. The Invisalign aligners control not only control how much force is exerted on your teeth, but the timing of it. Your aligners will be switched out every two weeks as your teeth gradually shift into better alignment. It will mean a little more frequent trips to the orthodontist, but your treatment may move faster than traditional treatment would, allowing you to be completely done sooner that you thought. Depending on your particular situation, you could be done treatment in as little as 12 months.

Don’t Delay Treatment Any Longer

It is never too late to improve your oral health and the longer you put it off the more at risk you are for a myriad of dental issues. Crooked or misaligned teeth can affect your oral hygiene. Food can more easily become stuck between crooked teeth and it can be harder to get the toothbrush into those tight spaces in your mouth. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to gum disease and tooth loss and to a host of other illnesses. Did you know that gum disease has been linked to heart disease?

While it is not the most important reason to get orthodontic treatments, aesthetics can have a big impact on your life. When you don’t feel good about yourself, unfortunately it shows. When you are self-conscious about crooked, stained teeth or gaps in your mouth, you tend to only give tight-lipped smiles and hide your mouth behind your hands when you are talking.

Plenty of studies have been done on the benefits of smiling and we know that smiling more makes us feel better about ourselves and influences how other people see you. Don’t let embarrassment about your mouth hold you back from getting the most out of your life both personally and professionally. Smiling also helps relieve stress.

When deciding if Invisalign is the right treatment for you, keep in mind that Invisalign doesn’t work for every condition, but it is an effective treatment for crossbites, underbites as well as crowding and spacing issues. Also there is the consideration of cost. Sometimes Invisalign can be a little more expensive than metal braces, but there are plenty of ways to get help with the cost. Talk to your orthodontist about payment plans that will work best for you.

With all the benefits of smiling, why let poor oral health hold you back any longer? If you think Invisalign might be the right treatment for you, the first step is to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Invisalign provider. Call PA Dental Wellness today. Your oral health is too important to wait any longer.