Invisalign vs. Traditional Orthodontics

If you had braces when you were younger, or if you remember your friends having braces, you may be letting your smile suffer from tooth misalignments in order to avoid the stigma of having "metal mouth." While some dentists may tell you that traditional braces are necessary to permanently straighten any dental misalignment, the truth is that many orthodontists are now offering Invisalign® to their adult patients.

The Metal Myth

While it is true that some patients with very complex misalignment cases would benefit from the use of braces, most patients do not have complicated dental alignment issues. Researchers estimate that anywhere between 50 to 80 percent of Americans will have braces at some point in their lives, and many of those individuals suffer from only minor jaw misalignments, slightly crooked teeth, or small gaps between teeth. In America, the obsession with having straight, white teeth is much more pronounced than in any other country.

But believing that the only permanent solution for crooked or misaligned teeth is metal brackets and wires is believing in a myth. The dental professionals who have used Invisalign report excellent results when the aligners are consistently worn.

The Way They Work

The misconception that plastic aligners will not provide permanent results may spring from the fact that they are not cemented to the teeth's surface, but instead can be removed for eating or special events. The more diligent a patient is about wearing his or her aligners, the better his or her results will be. However, the time necessary to complete Invisalign treatment is frequently quicker than to that necessary for traditional metal braces.

To make your custom Invisalign trays, a 3D digital image or physical impression of your teeth will be taken and sent to an approved Invisalign lab, where the current and desired positioning of your teeth will be used to create a series of plastic aligners molded to fit around your teeth exactly and move them slightly over a period of a few months. Each aligner will move your teeth slightly toward the desired end location, and the final tray will be worn while you sleep after your treatment is complete to maintain your new, straight smile.