Invisalign and Beautiful Teeth

Traditional orthodontia might include metal braces or even brightly colored plastic bands. These braces and bands can align the unsightly choppers but it can take three or four years to do so. Plus the wearers must make friends with their straightening devices because the bands and braces are visible and become part of one’s physical appearance. Invisalign, on the other hand, only takes twelve to eighteen months to create a straight look and they are nearly invisible. Are beautiful teeth really so advantageous in the world? Here are some things to think about:

- Removable: Invisalign products are not only fast and unnoticeable, they are also removable. If a person wanted to eat baby back pork ribs or go on a hot date, they could remove the device temporarily. This is great on one hand as long as the patient doesn’t slip into noncompliance. The apparatus must be worn twenty to twenty-two hours out of twenty-four each day in order for the results to be optimum.

- More expensive: Patients should be aware that this new method is often more costly than the traditional orthodontic techniques. Prices vary substantially depending on the dentist, the patient’s need and the region of the country. The cost differences can be in the thousands of dollars. It would be wise for a potential wearer to check prices when selecting a dentist.

- Training of DDS: A dental practitioner must have special training in order to use these new devices with his or her patients. The company, Align Technology, has reportedly trained more than 30,000 dentists to dispense these tooth straighteners. Unfortunately, some practitioners lost the contract with the company because they hadn’t sold enough sets. It would be wise to check whether the DDS you’re considering is still licensed to dispense these devices.

- The effects of beauty: Having lovely teeth has been shown to increase a person’s self-confidence. The mouth and teeth are especially public facial features, ones that are used for communicating, eating, laughing, smiling and kissing. If they are yellowed, jagged and crooked, this can cause embarrassment, self-consciousness and the individual to keep his or her mouth shut. A person may be ashamed of this facial feature but come off as being snooty, passive or incompetent. An unattractive grin can greatly hamper a person’s success in social situations as well as in business.

- Express treatments: For individuals with minimal overcrowding of teeth, an express treatment might be appropriate. Individuals with minor problems may have them corrected in as little as six months.

If a person is interested in seeing if the Invisalign tooth straightening method was appropriate for their mouth, he or she should make an appointment with a licensed dentist in their area. Some dental insurance plans cover orthodontia while others do not. It would be wise to check into health policy benefits before signing up for any type of orthodontic procedures.