Invisalign’s results are similar to traditional braces in that it helps to straighten your teeth and give you a better smile. Invisalign is an attractive alternative to braces and are proven to be equally effective. They help to address common teeth issues such as overcrowding, large gaps in between the front teeth, misaligned and crooked teeth. Moreover, Invisalign can be more beneficial than metal braces in some cases as they may be less noticeable and less invasive than braces.
Treatment Time
Various factors may affect your treatment time when you use Invisalign. Some people’s treatment may take as short as 6 months, while others may take several years. One factor could be the type of spacing present in your teeth. Depending on the length of the gap between your teeth, whether your mouth has crowding issues, underbite, or overbite, you may take a slightly longer or shorter period as these dental issues have to be addressed via Invisalign. You can also check with your dentist for an estimate of your treatment time and how long you will be wearing the aligners.
Another factor is your age. Many adolescents and teenagers opt for Invisalign or braces as compared to adults as it is relatively easy for your teeth to realign when you are younger. Adults may take a slightly longer treatment time.
The most important factor that determines your treatment time is how compliant you are with your treatment plan. This means whether or not you regularly wear your aligners, and comply with the set schedule so that you can switch trays and follow the treatment plan.
This is because Invisalign works by aligning one tooth at a time and thus frequent tray changes are usually required every 10 to 14 days. If you are not committed to the process and do not wear your aligners regularly, your tray changes and treatment schedule would be disrupted, resulting in a longer treatment time.
Advantages
Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign brings about certain advantages. One of them is that you would feel more comfortable when wearing Invisalign as opposed to braces because the aligners are removable and made to fit your teeth perfectly. Traditional braces have metallic and sharp edges which may dig and poke into your gums, lips, and cheeks and leave painful sores which can last for weeks.
Invisalign however, has smooth surfaces which are made of high-quality resin and have no rough edges that will pierce or poke your mouth. You are also able to clean your mouth much more easily compared to when wearing traditional braces. This is because the aligners are removable and you can go about your dental routine and brush your teeth normally. With traditional braces, however, pieces of food and plaque may get stuck in your mouth and gums, and it can be very difficult to clean the brackets of the braces. You also may have to buy special interdental brushes or orthodontic equipment to maintain good oral hygiene and clean the brackets when wearing braces.