Correcting dental alignment and improving your smile can be challenging for adults. Traditional corrective methods like braces are the norm for adolescents, but they are a major inconvenience and can be downright embarrassing once you’ve reached adulthood.
Luckily, you have other options. People who want to improve their smiles as adults won’t need to spend years with metal braces. Invisalign for adults offers a more discrete and flexible corrective option regardless of age.
What Should You Know about Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that serves the same purpose as braces. It uses clear, removable aligners that gradually shift teeth into place. Unlike braces, there are no metal brackets or wires. Invisalign trays are clear and flexible.
Most people won’t even know you’re wearing them. Aligners are custom-designed for each patient, so you get the exact results you want without worrying about the appearance or inconvenience of braces.
Aside from how well they function, people love that Invisalign is a discreet option for improving your smile. Trays are nearly invisible, so you don’t need to worry about looking different or attracting attention because you’re wearing metal braces.
Invisalign is also more comfortable and convenient than traditional braces. Trays are made from smooth, flexible plastic that doesn’t irritate the soft tissue in your mouth like metal braces often do. They can also be removed, so you can eat, brush, and floss normally.
You can also remove the trays in a pinch if you have a work event or social occasion where you’d feel more comfortable not wearing the aligner. This makes it much easier to go about your regular life and practice good dental hygiene without worry.
Cosmetic Benefits of Invisalign
One of the primary reasons people opt to straighten their smiles is for cosmetic reasons. They want to like what they see when they look in the mirror and smile. Invisalign is ideal for correcting overcrowding and gaps in smiles. Improving your smile also gives you better facial symmetry.
Is there something that makes you feel uncomfortable or “out of sorts” when you smile? It could be the symmetry of your face. Dental misalignment affects your facial structure. Things like under- and overbites create an asymmetric appearance, which might be subtle but impact how you feel about your appearance.
Medical Benefits of Invisalign
There’s no denying the cosmetic benefits of Invisalign, but it doesn’t end there. Correcting dental misalignment also provides a variety of medical benefits, including:
Reducing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Misalignment and crowding make it difficult to reach parts of your mouth when brushing and flossing. This means these areas are at risk of bacteria and plaque buildup, which can lead to decay and disease. It’s common for people who undergo an alignment procedure to enjoy fewer cavities and dental issues over time.
Wear and Tear
Misalignment can also lead to wear and tear on teeth. The bite pressure must be evenly distributed across your teeth. When this isn’t the case, it increases your risk of fractures and worn enamel. Invisalign helps align teeth and create a balanced bite, reducing your risk of premature wear and tear.
TMJ and Jaw Pain
Finally, using Invisalign to improve dental alignment helps alleviate jaw pain. TMJ is a common disorder among adults, often related to improper alignment. Correcting bite issues relieves chronic jaw pain, as well as the headaches that often accompany TMJ.
Other Benefits
In addition to the cosmetic and medical benefits of Invisalign, you’ll also enjoy a variety of other benefits, including:
- Increased self-esteem: Misaligned or crooked teeth cause self-consciousness and could lead to you avoiding smiling. Invisalign helps boost self-esteem and encourages people to smile more freely.
- Flexibility: Invisalign is removable, meaning you don’t need to worry about braces interfering with wearing a mouthguard, eating, or attending social events.
- Shorter treatment time: Invisalign requires a commitment, but it’s typically far less than traditional braces. Most treatment plans last anywhere from six months to two years.
- Fewer dental office visits during treatment: Unlike traditional braces that require frequent adjustments, you’ll only need to see your dentist to pick up a new aligner and check on the progress of your treatment periodically with Invisalign.
Invisalign offers a transformative solution for anyone seeking a convenient, effective, and discreet way to improve their smile. Whether you want to make corrections for cosmetic purposes alone or your dentist has suggested that alignment could improve your dental health, Invisalign for adults is an excellent option. To learn more or to find out whether Invisalign is right for you, contact us to schedule a consultation.
