Not only is Invisalign considered orthodontics, but it’s one of the very best orthodontic treatment solutions available on the market. Innovative, effective, and offering a whole range of benefits over traditional orthodontic treatments, Invisalign has become a highly sought-after option among people looking to achieve a picture-perfect smile.
In this post, we’ll outline what to know about Invisalign as an orthodontic treatment option, including how it works, its effectiveness, and how it compares with traditional braces.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand of clear, removable aligners that help to correct teeth misalignment. They rose to prominence thanks to two key features: they’re removable, and they’re discreet. In fact, it’s possible that you know someone who is currently undergoing Invisalign dental treatment without even realizing it. Invisalign doesn’t just help to straighten misaligned teeth; it does so while also being mostly invisible!
During treatment, you’ll wear clear aligners which gently guide your teeth into the desired position. By wearing your series of clear aligners for 22 hours a day, you can have a beautiful, perfect smile in as little as 12 – 18 months.
Understanding Invisalign as Orthodontics
Orthodontics concerns itself with the correction of dental irregularities, such as tooth misalignment or overcrowding. Any treatment that helps to correct those issues falls under the broader umbrella of ‘orthodontics.’
In the past, those treatments were generally limited to those traditional braces that were common in the pre-2000s area. Invisalign, which was launched in 1998, offered a new and innovative orthodontic treatment solution that provided significant advantages over those fixed, bracketed braces, especially for patients who only had comparatively minor issues that required fixing.
The Benefits of Invisalign Treatment
The most obvious benefit of Invisalign treatment is that it leads to a great smile! By the end of your Invisalign treatment, you’ll have perfectly aligned teeth that you’ll be all too eager to flash.
But of course, that result is also provided by other orthodontic treatments. So why do so many people look at Invisalign specifically when they want to improve their smile? Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits:
Invisalign is Practically Invisible
Don’t want to draw attention to the fact that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment? Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually undetectable, especially from a distance.
You Can Take Them Out
In fact, not only can you take them out, you will take them out. You’ll remove your Invisalign aligner to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. That means you can eat all of your favorite foods while undergoing treatment.
Treatment Time Frames Can Be Short
While it varies from person to person, Invisalign treatment is generally pretty short, often taking as little as 12 – 18 months from beginning to end.
You Can See What The End Results Will Look Like
Invisalign is advanced orthodontics, with little left up to chance. Your aligners will be created using digital technology, which will allow you to see what your teeth will look like once you’ve completed your treatment.
Is Invisalign the Right Orthodontic Option for You?
At Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics, our patients will often ask us, ‘Should I get Invisalign?’
There’s no hard and fast answer to that question, but if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign — that is, you can expect good results following treatment — then it’ll be worthwhile considering. Traditional braces may produce similar results, but the journey you’ll take to get there will be vastly different, and likely a lot less enjoyable, than if you choose Invisalign braces.
How Invisalign Compares to Traditional Braces
As we mentioned above, Invisalign is an effective way to straighten teeth, but it’s not the only method. Traditional braces are still offered to patients wishing to get a picture-perfect smile. In some cases, these types of braces may be the only option, since Invisalign can’t correct all misalignment issues (though most patients do quality for Invisalign treatment).
But if you’re wondering, ‘Should I do Invisalign or traditional braces,’ then it’s important to remember that Invisalign offers a number of significant advantages over traditional braces.
For one thing, they’re virtually invisible. Plus, since they’re taken out for eating, there are no restrictions on what you can eat while you’re undergoing treatment. Additionally, treatment can be shorter, especially for straightforward cases.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Invisalign
Of course, the long list of Invisalign benefits would count for little if they didn’t ultimately do what they were intended to do, which is to straighten teeth.
Invisalign has been around for more than two decades, and during that time has grown to become one of the most popular orthodontic treatment solutions on the planet. And it didn’t get to that level because they’re mostly invisible — it did so because they result in picture-perfect smiles.
Though Invisalign aligners are generally comfortable to wear, they still exert enough force to move teeth into their new position. Provided you continue to wear your post-treatment retainer, you should have a great smile for many years to come.
The Cost of Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment
As we’ve seen, there’s much to love about Invisalign braces. But how much do they cost? As with all orthodontic treatments, it’s not possible to give a clear answer to that question. The cost of your treatment will depend on how long treatment is required. The best way to find out how much Invisalign orthodontic treatment will cost is to book a free consultation with our team here at Dunegan & Cole Orthodontics.
Tips for Maintaining Your Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign aligners require a little maintenance to stay clean and free of damage, which can help shorten the overall treatment time. It’s recommended to clean your aligners each night using lukewarm water, a soft toothbrush and clear hand soap. You can also remove any marks by soaking your retainer in a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 3 part lukewarm water for fifteen minutes.
You’ll be given a case for your aligner at the beginning of your treatment, which you should use any time your aligner is not in your mouth.