Do you wish you could straighten your teeth without needing traditional metal braces? How about an option where no one knows that you are getting dental treatment? As the name suggests, Invisalign are aligners that are nearly invisible. They move your teeth gradually over time. The result is a more attractive and straighter smile. If you are considering this more modern and easier option to straighten your teeth, you need to know the pros and cons of Invisalign! Keep reading to find out more.

What is Invisalign and How Does it Work?

Before we dive into the pros and cons of Invisalign, let’s go over how it works! Invisalign involves clear, BPA-free plastic aligners like flexible, thin, see-through mouthguards that slip over your teeth. First, your dental specialists use an intraoral scanner to take a digital impression of your teeth. Next, the team will create a 3D model of your mouth using advanced computer technology. This ensures that every mold and each aligner is specifically designed for the patient’s mouth, unlike metal braces which are a more general treatment option. These aligners move the teeth incrementally into their prescribed positions.

Lets Explore Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Pro: Minimal Changes to Your Diet

Patients who have chosen to go with traditional metal braces are required to avoid certain sticky and difficult foods to chew. However, when choosing Invisalign, you won’t have to follow the same restrictions. Since Invisalign consists of aligners, they are removable. Therefore you’ll be able to continue enjoying your favorite foods without worry or complications. However, there are certain things you have to do after eating, like brushing your teeth to avoid staining or damaging your aligner.

If you choose to go with Invisalign, dental specialists recommend you take a travel toothbrush wherever you go to ensure both your teeth and aligners stay in the best shape. Additionally, you need to ensure your clear aligners are placed in their case whenever you are not wearing them. Putting them on the table next to you or on a napkin increases the risk of breaking or even throwing them out by accident.

Con: You Have to Wear Invisalign 20 to 22 Hours Per Day

Invisalign clear aligners must be worn a minimum of 22 hours per day. The only time you should take them out of your mouth is when you are brushing, flossing, or eating. If you leave them out for more than what’s recommended, you risk your teeth not aligning correctly, and you will be behind schedule. Your aligners may also continue to feel tighter the next time you put them on if you fall behind.

Pro: Smile With Confidence

One of the main reasons that patients consider Invisalign is that they don’t want to wear bulky and unattractive metal braces for an extended period. These aligners are just like what it sounds like, virtually invisible, making them one of the most important benefits for most patients. They are clear and molded to your teeth. Therefore anyone around you is unlikely to notice that you have them on. Clear aligners benefit teens and adults by allowing them to continue in their personal and professional lives without feeling like everyone is gawking at their teeth. Additionally, due to the fact braces won’t cover your smile, your confidence will likely be enhanced!

Con: More Expensive

One of the biggest disadvantages of Invisalign is that they are expensive. Depending on whether or not your dental insurance covers them, patients who don’t have insurance can expect to pay anywhere between $3000 and $8000 for them. Therefore, if your insurance doesn’t cover the Invisalign aligners and you are on a tight budget, you may want to rethink Invisalign.

Pro: Enhanced Comfort

While Invisalign can be a bit uncomfortable at the start as your teeth and mouth get used to the dental aligners, they are generally more comfortable in the long run. Invisalign does not require any brackets or wires. That means you don’t have to worry about any painful cuts or nicks in your mouth. The aligners are similar to a mouthguard; they are molded exactly to your mouth’s shape and have no sharp edges.

Con: Easier to Lose

A downfall to the ease and comfort of removable aligners for teeth straightening treatment is that they can easily be lost. Let’s face it; everyone is a bit forgetful and clumsy, but it’s completely normal. However, due to the amount of hours patients are required to keep them in their mouths and the price of the aligners, they are going to have to be extra careful of them. This can be problematic, especially for teenagers. Some added tips for patients are to always carry their case with them so that when they do take the aligners out, they know where they are while protecting them from being damaged.

Pro: More Convenient

Visiting the dentist is never anyone’s favorite thing to do. It’s time-consuming and can be stressful for patients. Those with metal braces are required to constantly visit the dentist’s office for check-ups and adjustments. However, with Invisalign clear aligners, you won’t require any adjustments. You simply move through your series of aligners. You will be required to come in for regular appointments so that your specialist can monitor your progress. However, as the treatment goes along, you will be required to visit less and less.

Invisalign Clear Aligners in Chicago

Metal braces are no longer the only option for patients wanting to correct their smiles; therefore, if you want to break the status quo, choose Invisalign. These aligners will ensure you have a brighter, straighter, and more beautiful smile without the hassle and unattractiveness of metal brackets. Fix your teeth without anyone even noticing, keep on enjoying your favorite foods, and boost your self-confidence. Beautiful Smiles offers Invisalign clear aligners for both teens and adults in the Chicagoland area; find out more by scheduling an appointment today.

Dental Conditions Invisalign Treats

Replace Traditional Braces with Invisalign Clear Aligners!

Many children, teenagers, and even adults know the pain and suffering of living with braces. Traditionally, these medical brackets were the go-to option for straightening teeth to improve smiles and the health of the teeth for the future. Though these metal brackets are extremely popular, they are also very uncomfortable and need to be worn for an extended period of time before being removed. What if there was a better option, a less noticeable and removable one that does the same thing as traditional metal brackets? Well, there is, and it is called Invisalign!

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a new and exciting type of orthodontic treatment for all ages that can be used to achieve a more healthy and beautiful smile. It is utilized to treat patients who have a mild to moderate misalignment in their teeth. Invisalign trays are clear plastic aligner trays that move the teeth into proper alignment, are virtually invisible, and can be removed at any time. Though the trays need to be worn for at least 20 hours a day, unlike brackets, they can be removed for flossing, brushing, eating, playing sports, etc. With Invisalign, patients can say goodbye to uncomfortable metal brackets and wires and choose a less complicated option!

Orthodontic Problems That Invisalign Can Fix

Invisalign Corrects Misaligned Teeth

Misaligned teeth disrupt the virtue of a beautiful smile and can create difficulty in many everyday activities such as eating and chewing. Misaligned teeth mainly occur in childhood due to different reasons such as genetics and thumb-sucking habits. It can also occur in kids when their jaw is way too small compared to the size of their teeth. Invisalign treatment is able to attend to misaligned teeth as it is specifically designed to treat these specific types of dental problems.

The clear brace puts pressure on the teeth, which are ejected on the outer side of the jaw, and fixes them by forcing them in the right place on the jawline. Usually, to treat misaligned teeth, Invisalign takes about 6-12 months to do its magic. However, it depends on the condition of the misaligned teeth and how well the patient follows their treatment routine.

Crooked and Crowded Teeth

Crowded and crooked teeth are different problems but yet are very similar. They ruin the beauty of your teeth as well as turning your engaging smile into something that you want to hide. These are not very serious dental problems, but they do have a large impact on physical appearance, which can lead to mental problems and lowered self-esteem. This then will result in feeling embarrassed in front of loved ones, friends, and colleagues, resulting in more problems down the road.

Invisalign is able to treat both crowded and crooked teeth in adults, teens, and children. For adults, Invisalign usually takes more than one year, while in children and teens, it can take less than 6 months to fix. But, these are just rough numbers as it depends solely on the patient. Not one patient is the same and requires different treatment plans, so make sure to always listen to your dentist’s advice!

Treat Overbite and Underbite Dental Conditions with Invisalign

Overbite is a common dental condition that results in the upper front teeth overlapping your lower front teeth. A small overlap of upper front teeth is normal, but when it gets too big, it will create difficulties, especially when you get older. It can also produce mild to intense amounts of pain in your jaw.

An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. Instead, the lower front teeth overlap the upper front teeth creating difficulties while speaking, eating, and chewing. Underbites can also cause quite a bit of pain in the jaw.

For these two common conditions, Invisalign is the ideal treatment. It can permanently treat these bite problems within a few months of wearing them.

Crossbite and Open Bite

Crossbite is a dental condition where the upper teeth and lower teeth do not come together properly when the mouth is closed. This issue will make your teeth wear down and lead to painful gum problems alongside a decrease in tooth enamel. Open Bite is similar, but instead of the upper and lower teeth not meeting properly, they do not meet at all. When left untreated, this will lead to problems while chewing and eating food. Invisalign will push back the teeth and allow them to come together in the way that they should be.

Orthodontic Problems That Invisalign Can’t Fix

Invisalign is one of the most advanced dental technologies that are available for patients in the United States. Though it can treat most orthodontic problems, it cannot treat all of them due to its structure and limitations. Some examples of conditions that Invisalign cannot treat include:

- Rotating crooked teeth severely to straighten them out. This requires a specialized tool.
- Filling in large gaps between teeth. Though Invisalign can indeed fill in smaller gaps, if the space between the teeth is too wide, Invisalign will not be the right treatment for you.
- Invisalign cannot lower or raise the position of the teeth in the jawline.

If you are curious about Invisalign and all of the incredible benefits that it boasts, you can always trust the Beautiful Smiles Dental Center to assess your situation and recommend whether or not Invisalign is right for you!

Are You Thinking About Invisalign? Learn About the Advantages

You can take your aligners out any time you eat or drink. This means no frustrating food restrictions that you would have if you were to choose traditional metal braces.
Invisalign is virtually invisible, making it the perfect choice for a more aesthetically pleasing option. By choosing Invisalign, you will not have to suffer from anything taking away from your gorgeous smile.
Brushing and flossing can be difficult with traditional braces, but removable aligners make good dental hygiene a much easier process, keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
You can remove your Invisalign aligners temporarily for photos, sporting events, or any other special occasion.

Contact Beautiful Smiles Dental Center

Beautiful Smiles Dental Center is a proud certified provider of Invisalign. Our number one priority is to give the healthiest, most beautiful and straight smiles that we can. When you are in the Chicagoland area are interested in exploring all of the options when it comes to your teeth, choose us to learn more about the advantages of Invisalign and how it will make a difference in your life today. Get in touch with us today and book your consultation! Your journey to healthier and happier teeth starts at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center in Gurnee!

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Pros and Cons of Invisalign