Orthodontics is one of the most powerful tools dentists have for helping rectify the problem of misaligned teeth and establishing a solid foundation for life-long oral health. But while the most visible orthodontic tool is probably braces, technological improvements over the past two decades mean there are more options than ever available for bringing teeth into alignment.
Many of these new technologies provide patients with a faster and less painful experience, while also making the process itself more discrete. But though the days when getting your teeth straightened meant you had to wear cumbersome and unsightly elastics, brackets, and wires may be over, some misconceptions about popular alternatives like Invisalign still remain.
The root of these misconceptions lies in the fact that Invisalign offers a completely different approach to fixing misalignment. Where braces use a system of arch wires, brackets, spacers, and elastics to pull teeth into place over time, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners molded to the shape of your teeth. These aligners are designed to slowly push your teeth into alignment, with a new set being swapped in every two weeks.
This post will debunk some of the persistent myths about this alternative approach, and make a case for why Invisalign is not just as effective as traditional metal braces, but is actually a better solution for the misalignment problems that can cause significant oral health problems if not fixed early in life.
1. Invisalign is Only for People Who Want to Hide Their Braces
One of Invisalign’s biggest selling features is that they aren’t nearly as noticeable as braces — aligners are so discrete that people often won’t even notice that you’re wearing them. For this reason, there is a tendency to think that the only advantage Invisalign offers over traditional braces is their transparency.
But while this is certainly one of the great things about Invisalign, it isn’t the only way in which this new technology is superior. Once braces are put on, you’re stuck with them for the duration of the procedure — which generally lasts around two years. Braces make cleaning your teeth difficult and time-consuming, and can also aggravate bad breath and related problems.
Invisalign needs to be worn for 22 hours a day, but the aligners can be removed with little trouble. Brushing, flossing, and eating are as easy as ever, and even when you’re wearing them, the aligners interfere with daily life to a much lesser degree (you can visit our Hamilton dental office if you want to know more about the practical advantages of Invisalign vs. braces).
2. Invisalign Doesn’t Work as Well as Braces
Another common misconception is that braces are still a more effective solution to misalignment than Invisalign. Because Invisalign uses a different approach to fixing teeth, there is a notion that Invisalign doesn’t permanently correct misalignments in the same way braces do.
In fact, Invisalign’s approach to fixing misalignments is no less effective than braces — it’s just gentler, less invasive, and less uncomfortable. Braces wrench teeth into place over time using arch wires, elastics, and brackets, and rely on tension to reshape alignment. Invisalign works by encouraging the teeth in the right direction over two-week intervals, which requires less hardware.
The truth is that Invisalign doesn’t just do everything that braces can do. It is actually faster and more effective than braces. If you want to know what Invisalign can fix the shortest answer is “everything that braces can fix and more.”
3. Invisalign Impairs Speech
Given that Invisalign is a clear plastic cover that goes over the teeth, many people suspect that it will have an adverse impact on the wearer’s ability to speak clearly. This is an understandable suspicion if you’ve never met someone who uses aligners, but an unfounded one.
The aligners are made from strong, durable plastic, and this means they can be made to fit tight to your teeth without having to be very thick. As with any orthodontic tool, there is an adjustment period after they are first put in. But as anyone who has chosen to use Invisalign can attest, once you have gotten used to them, they have no impact on one’s ability to speak clearly and confidently.
In fact, when compared to orthodontic braces, which protrude significantly from your teeth and can cause a great deal of discomfort during the first days and weeks, Invisalign causes significantly less awkwardness and adjustment.
And for those who play a musical instrument that requires strict embrasure control, like the flute, trumpet, or trombone, Invisalign will have far less of an impact on one’s ability to play than regular braces would.
4. Invisalign is Only for Adults
Invisalign is a particularly popular orthodontic solution for adults, and this has led some people to believe that Invisalign is only for adults.
While it has become the go-to option for working professionals who did not have access to orthodontics as children and who want to straighten their teeth in as discrete a way as possible, it is also widely used by adolescents. Whether you are an adult or a teen, Invisalign in Hamilton is an orthodontic option you can and should consider.
Crooked teeth are not simply an aesthetic problem. When teeth are misaligned, it can make it a great deal harder to clean them effectively, and to retain a full set of teeth into old age.
There is plenty of evidence to show that orthodontic appliances can have a transformative effect on a patient’s overall oral health, which is one of the reasons why braces have become a right-of-passage for generations of kids and teens.
Thanks to Invisalign, people of all ages can now get top-shelf orthodontic treatment without having to go through the embarrassment and discomfort of braces. If you think this might be the orthodontic solution you’ve been looking for, get in touch with Dentistry on 7th today!