Orthodontists have long been the first line of defense against crooked teeth, but traditional metal braces can be uncomfortable and frequently take a long time to work. You may have heard of a relatively new option, clear retainer-like aligners from a company called Invisalign, which claims to offer a better option.
At My Family Dentistry, we’ve chosen to become an Invisalign vendor because we believe that for many people, Invisalign truly is a better option.
And yes, it does work! But how do you know if Invisalign is right for you?
Braces may be a good option for some people, especially school-age children who may take out the removable aligners when unsupervised, sacrificing the benefits of Invisalign. However, metal braces also have side effects.
Because food and plaque can gather around the metal brackets and teeth are more difficult to clean thoroughly, as many as 50% of patients with braces experience tooth decay or demineralization. Also, the force braces exert sometimes impacts the health of gums, supporting tissue, and tooth roots.
The Invisalign system offers clear, removable aligners, which you remove to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Dental impressions, x-rays, photographs are used to create a 3-D image, which helps your dentist plan a series of invisible aligners that will gradually move your teeth into place. The metal wires, brackets, and headgear are replaced by clear trays formed to fit your teeth.
Even though Invisalign exerts less pressure on your teeth than braces do, it is just as effective, because adjustments are made every 2 weeks. Braces use stronger force and are only tightened every 6 weeks. Gentler force and smaller, more frequent adjustments mean that Invisalign is less painful then braces as well as less traumatic to the teeth.
By wearing the aligners between 20-22 hours a day, you progressively shift your teeth into the ideal positions. Most people use Invisalign for about a year, but it may be more or less depending on your needs, and almost always takes less time than metal braces at a comparable cost.
If you live in Knoxville, Tennessee or the surrounding area, contact My Family Dentistry for a free consultation to determine whether Invisalign is right for you!
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