Invisalign and How It Improves on Traditional Braces

Once upon a time, if you wanted to correct your teeth, you had few options other than a mouthful of very obvious and intrusive metal. While many patients still choose to go this route today, there are alternatives to traditional braces. Invisalign is one such alternative and it improves on the traditional method in several ways. If you have been thinking about getting braces for yourself or your child but are concerned about some of the downsides, here is some information that may set you on a different route. Consult with your orthodontist about your options.

Appearance

The most obvious benefit Invisalign offers patients is an improved appearance when compared to traditional braces. While some may disagree, the vast majority of both children and adults would argue that having the old, metal, railroad trestles adorning your teeth is not the most attractive look. If you're twelve years old, you can get away with that type of look. If you're twenty-two, it becomes a problem. Since the purpose of getting braces is to improve your appearance, it makes little sense to sacrifice a year or two of your life waiting for your teeth to be corrected.

Convenience

There's little question that Invisalign offers patients greater convenience than their metal counterparts. When you are fitted with traditional braces, the list of things you can't do and the foods you can't eat is a mile long. With the alternative, there are no such restrictions. This is because you can remove the aligners before eating and before brushing your teeth. Eating will not change at all and you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite foods. Of course, this does mean that you will have to bring additional responsibility to the care of your aligners and trays, seeing as how they can be easy to lose and expensive to replace.

Cost

When patients first hear of Invisalign, they often imagine it to be much more expensive than traditional braces. In reality, however, the two systems are similarly priced. Some orthodontists may fit metal braces for a bit less, some for a bit more. Nationwide, however, the prices are nearly indistinguishable, meaning that it should carry very little impact when it comes to making your choice. However, it should be noted that some problems -- such as an overbite -- cannot always be fully corrected by Invisalign and, as such, metal braces may be a better option. Again, it is important to talk to your orthodontists and find out which option makes the most sense for your situation.