If you are thinking about getting orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, it is probable that you are making the tough decision between traditional metal braces and Invisalign. In that case, you may want to head down to Aria Dental, your local Orange County dental implants clinic, to learn about your different options.
Most Mission Viejo dental implants patients already know that Invisalign looks better, but they sometimes wonder if it works as well as metal braces. Is it all just hype we hear about these clear plastic aligners? The professionals at this Orange County dental implants center give their thoughts on the most significant advantages of Invisalign compared to traditional braces.
You Can Eat and Drink Whatever You Want
Anyone who has had to experience railroad track braces can tell you the hassle of not eating some of your favorite foods. For instance, an orthodontist will immediately inform a patient after placing metal braces that they are banned from eating gum, chewy candies, caramel, corn-on-the-cob, and popcorn. Besides those goodies being off the menu, you can expect to be told that even steak and hard nuts are a no-no, and you should cut apples into bite-size pieces rather than biting into them. And the same goes for carrots and other hard fruits and vegetables.
As many Orange County dental implants specialists explain, when you eat hard foods, you can cause brackets to break off of your teeth when you bite into them. While chewy foods easily get stuck on, in, and around brackets and wires, producing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that loves to feed off sugar.
When you wear Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about these forbidden foods. When you are craving a steak or corn on the cob, you just have to remove your aligner trays beforehand, have your meal or snack, brush or at least rinse with water, and place your aligners back in place.
Invisalign Is Practically Invisible
Before Invisalign even existed, so many adults dreamed about having straighter teeth but weren’t too keen on the idea of wearing traditional metal braces. It isn’t surprising since no one wants to draw attention to the fact that they are receiving orthodontic treatment, and that’s essentially what metal braces do without even trying. Some patients feel that their crooked smile is less noticeable and embarrassing than having to prance around with metal braces, so they carry on with smiles they don’t feel happy and confident with.
Invisalign has changed the way patients receive this type of orthodontic treatment. Many people will not even realize that you are wearing aligners since they are made out of thin, clear plastic that is almost invisible. You are able to achieve the beautiful smile you want without attracting attention to the fact that you are in the process of straightening your teeth. Invisalign is a discreet way of accomplishing this.
Oral Hygiene Is Easier
Patients who undergo traditional metal braces are usually surprised to see unsightly stains on their teeth once their braces have been removed. There are some instances when a patient finds out they have cavities or gingivitis, which is a precursor to gum disease. This is because metal braces make it very difficult to practice good oral hygiene. Yes, you can still do your best to clean with metal braces, however, flossing and bruising around your brackets and wires takes some effort and time. When you floss, you have to do so under the wires, and when you brush, you have to clean all surfaces of your teeth and all surfaces of your brackets.
Invisalign wearers experience simpler oral hygiene because all they have to do is remove their plastic aligners and brush and floss as usual – the way you usually do before beginning your Invisalign treatment. You can even clean your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush or soak them in a cleaning solution that is specially formulated to remove bacteria from Invisalign aligners.
You’ll Never Have Orthodontic Emergencies
One of the many hassles of traditional braces is the unavoidable orthodontic emergencies. You can reduce the risk by following your orthodontist’s instructions when it comes to foods to avoid, but even if you are a saint, most patients experience a broken bracket at some point during their treatment. Also, you have to find the time in your schedule to get it replaced, which can be a burden and inconvenience. Nevertheless, you have to get it done since not replacing a broken bracket until your next appointment can stretch out your overall orthodontic treatment duration.
On the other hand, Invisalign aligners are robust, so you don’t have to be concerned about breaking them. That also means that you don’t have to hassle about unexpected emergency visits.
Invisalign Is Comfortable
Many patients had experienced metal braces when they were teenagers, and they are receiving Invisalign treatment because their teeth slowly moved out of alignment over the years. Patients who have gone through both forms of treatment can honestly say how comfortable Invisalign is compared with traditional metal braces. The aligners are created with a smooth plastic that fits tightly against the teeth, which is the complete opposite of obtrusive metal braces. Metal braces are notorious for poking into your cheeks and soft tissue, and you don’t have to go every four weeks to your orthodontist to receive the painful wire tightening. With Invisalign, you just have to change your aligners yourself at home every two weeks.
If you would like to learn more about getting Invisalign in Orange County or Mission Viejo, then please contact Aria Dental at (949) 364-9600. We are your trusted holistic dental provider, offering safe non-toxic alternatives for every dental procedure. We are also a top certified member of IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology), IABDM (International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine), and HDA (Holistic Dental Association).
