Invisalign is a popular, effective alternative to braces. It works in much the same way, except they straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners.
They’re much less bulky and obvious than braces and can get results just as dramatic and powerful as their metal cousins, more discreetly.
Invisalign is virtually invisible — hence the name. Only you will know you’re wearing orthodontics. Not only that, but it’s completely removable: you can eat, drink, brush, and floss, and even take them out for special occasions.
The faster treatment time required with Invisalign means that you’ll spend less time visiting the doctor, only needing to come in every other week during the treatment.
What are the health benefits of straight teeth?
- Easy cleaning
- Healthier teeth
- Healthier gums
- Less wear and tear
- Improved speech
- Improved overall health
1. Easy Cleaning
Crowded teeth may make flossing frustrating due to the lack of space between your teeth, which can make it hard to get the floss into all the nooks and crannies. Many people who’ve straightened their teeth with invisible aligners find it much easier to floss within just a few first weeks of wearing their aligners. And if it’s easier to floss, you’re more likely to keep up with it.
2. Healthier Teeth
Clean teeth are healthier teeth. Trapped food in your teeth can lead to plaque, which increases the risk of cavities and tooth decay – both of which can mean costly dental work. Not only will invisible aligners straighten your smile to help avoid that, but you’ll also be brushing and flossing after every meal or snack.
3. Healthier Gums
In many cases, red and swollen gums are a direct result of teeth that are too widely spaced or too crowded, which can be minimized by straightening your smile. The research reported by the NIH has shown a link between periodontal disease and the loss of bone and teeth. And a lot of other bad stuff. Having straighter teeth helps your gums fit around your teeth better, reducing your risk of developing gum disease.
4. Less Wear and Tear
Your teeth do a lot of work. Every time you bite down, they’re sustaining pressure. That extra pressure can cause your teeth to wear down sooner than they should – plus other scary stuff like possible gum recession, poor support at the roots, and loose teeth. It can also cause shoulder pain, neck pain, headaches, or muscle pain in the temples where the jaws meet near the ears. Straightening your smile now can prevent you a lot of headaches down the road.
5. Improved Speech
As a key part of your mouth, your teeth play an important role in your speech. Gapped, protruding, or crowded teeth can affect your speaking patterns. Straightening your smile can help. You might notice a bit of a lisp when you first start wearing your invisible aligners, but in an average of just 6 months, you could have the smile of your dreams and improved speech.
6. Improved Overall Health
Poor dental health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and more. Keep up with brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits to help keep the rest of your body healthy, too. Don’t forget to order a new set of clear retainers every 6 months too to protect your new smile and prevent bad oral bacteria. The key with any orthodontic appliance is the experience and know-how with which it is delivered. Sometimes an inexperienced practitioner will tell you that you are not a candidate for Invisalign.
What they are really saying is that they are not experienced enough to produce the desired result with Invisalign. This is why it is very important that you seek a second opinion from a proven and experienced Invisalign provider.
Dr. Alexa Alborzi has successfully treated thousands of patients with Invisalign in San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Burlingame, Belmont, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Montara, Moss Beach and El Granada, California.
Her extensive Invisalign experience has earned her an Elite Provider title, putting her in the top one-percent of all Invisalign providers in North America! She is able to use Invisalign to treat a wider variety of patients, including many that have been told by others that Invisalign would not be an option for them.