Invisalign has come a long way and for many people, metal braces are no longer even necessary for correcting teeth and creating beautiful smiles. Once, metal braces were the option that just about everyone had to use. But Invisalign can now be used to correct all kinds of problems, even overbites and underbites for some people.
To find out if you’re a candidate for this kind of teeth straightening, consult with an orthodontist. These dental professionals specialize in straightening teeth and work with both metal braces and Invisalign to help everyone get a better smile.
Metal Braces vs. Invisalign
Invisalign braces can correct a number of teeth problems that only metal braces used to correct in the past. If you know you need braces, talk to an orthodontist about both options before you pick just one. There are several advantages and disadvantages of choosing Invisalign over metal braces.
You will feel metal braces in your mouth. They can make eating difficult and they must be cleaned often. It’s difficult to keep your very back teeth clean when you’re wearing metal braces. You’ll be given various special tools in order to make it possible for you to thoroughly clean your teeth when you have metal braces in your mouth. If your tongue or lips rub against these braces the wrong way, it can result in pain and even sores that are uncomfortable.
However, there are some benefits to wearing metal braces as well. Metal braces can correct your teeth more quickly, in some cases, than Invisalign. Metal, or traditional, braces can also fix major teeth problems that Invisalign can’t always address.
Over 5 million people have used Invisalign braces to get a straight smile. That includes one million teens who have used Invisalign. There are many problems these “invisible” braces can treat. The big benefit of wearing Invisalign is that people can’t really tell you’re wearing them. They don’t cause discomfort and you can take them out of your mouth when you’re wearing.
When you’re using Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you’ll have several sets of invisible braces made. These are clear fixtures that you place on your teeth to straighten them. As time passes, you’ll place new liners in your mouth to move your teeth into the right positions little by little. Invisalign can take many months to straighten your smile but you don’t have to deal with the pain and embarrassment of wearing metal braces.
Choosing the Right Braces for Your Teeth
In many cases, you’ll have the option of choosing between Invisalign or metal braces for your teeth. Talk to your orthodontist about both options. Ask questions. Find out how long it will take to correct your smile through both methods. Ask about the cost of each. Get all the information and make the choice between metal braces or Invisalign based on what’s going to work best for you. When you have all the answers to your questions and you know everything about each option, you can choose the method that’s going to work best to give you the smile you want at a price you can afford and within the time frame that you can live with.