If people are to choose between wearing traditional braces and clear aligners, most would pick clear aligners. This sentiment accounts for why they are growing in popularity as a good option for realigning and straightening teeth.

However, the aligners are not for everyone. They need someone responsible to take special care of them. Therefore, dentists mostly recommend them for adults.

How Effective Are They?

Invisalign® corrects a variety of dental issues. They include spacing and crowding. Other dental problems include:

• Mild and moderate bite issues
• Gaps in teeth
• Open bite

Research shows that these aligners are more effective than other clear aligners. They deliver enough force to deal with most orthodontic issues. However, you may need to use traditional braces for more complicated problems.

Benefits to Adults

Invisalign has many benefits. However, they are better for adults who often take more responsibility with personal health and will take better care of the aligners. As adults use Invisalign, they will reap the following benefits.

Comfort

Invisalign aligners consist of smooth plastic that fits comfortably against your teeth. It is not abrasive or obtrusive like metal brackets. There are also no wires to keep poking your cheeks and leaving you with sores. Invisalign does not need tightening every four weeks. Therefore, you do not have to endure discomfort and sensitivity.

They Are Removable

Invisalign aligners are clear and practically invisible, so there is no need to remove them. However, there may be some special events where you may want to appear without the aligners.

An example is when giving a speech at a gala or a board presentation. You can choose not to wear your aligners since removing them for a few hours is not a problem. You only have to remember to keep them in for at least 20 hours a day the rest of the time.

The 20 hours account for when you remove them to eat, drink, or take care of your oral hygiene. However, be careful about removing your aligners for a whole day.

Better Oral Hygiene

Traditional metal braces can leave you with stains on your teeth after their removal. The metal brackets and wires are also abrasive, causing sores on your soft tissue, gums, and cheeks. You may also not be able to remove all the food from your teeth and between the braces. It makes you susceptible to getting cavities and gum disease.

Invisalign allows you to brush and floss your teeth without restrictions. Remember to clean your aligners before you put them back in your mouth. Good oral hygiene will benefit you at the end of the straightening process. You will have strong, healthy teeth and gums.

Diet

Invisalign allows you to eat foods that the dentist would not permit with metal brackets. You can have steak, corn-on-the-cob, nuts, apples, and carrots. These foods that require you to bite into them are a problem when you have braces. It causes people with braces to opt for softer foods that may not necessarily be healthy.

Invisalign allows you to continue eating fruits and vegetables. These are healthy and provide fiber to your diet. You can remove your aligners and enjoy these foods, which also help massage your gum, keeping it healthy.

For more information on Invisalign, call btyDENTAL at (907) 333-6666 to reach our offices in Anchorage, Alaska.