In North America, 27% of all orthodontic patients are 18 years or older. That’s over one in four American adults who wear braces!
After all, malocclusion (misaligned teeth) affects over six in 10 adults in the US alone. Up to 15% even have malocclusion severe enough to impede mouth functions!
The thing is, misaligned teeth have shown to cause oral and chronic health conditions. Previous research also confirmed that malocclusion can lead to mental issues.
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have crooked teeth, it may be time for Invisalign.
The big question is, is Invisalign worth it? How does it differ from and what makes it better than traditional braces?
We’ll answer all these burning questions in this post, so be sure to read on!
1. Most People Won’t Notice You’re Wearing Teeth-Straighteners
Invisalign and traditional braces are both teeth straightening treatments. One of the main differences between the two, however, is the type of materials they use.
Invisalign makes use of a patented thermoplastic material known as “SmartTrack®”. It’s thanks to this technology that Invisalign trays are almost invisible.
Traditional braces, on the other hand, use clunky metal brackets and wires. Because of this, they tend to glint or shine, which can be quite distractive.
2. Invisalign Trays Are Removable
Invisalign trays, unlike normal braces, are completely removable. It’s easy to slip them on and off whenever you need to eat, drink, brush, floss, or gargle.
Just make sure that you wear your first-ever set of aligners as much as possible during the first 48 hours. This will help the aligners mold better to your teeth. After the first two days, you can remove the trays more often, but be sure that you have them on for at least 22 hours each day.
3. There Are Fewer Dietary Restrictions
Dietary restrictions are common with traditional braces since they’re fixed. As such, patients with fixed braces are often advised not to eat hard, crunchy, sticky, or gooey food.
Since Invisalign trays are removable, you don’t have to be too picky about what you eat. You simply need to remove the trays before eating or drinking anything cold, hot, or colored. Of course, you’d still want to stick to healthy meals and snacks rather than feasting on junk food.
4. Being Removable Makes It Easier to Clean the Teeth and Gums
Since you can take Invisalign trays off, you’ll be able to clean your teeth and gums more effectively. You can brush and floss as much of the surfaces of your teeth as possible. Fixed braces don’t provide this benefit since they cover a huge portion of the teeth surfaces.
5. Improved Dental Hygiene Means Healthier Teeth and Gums
Over 90% of US adults have had tooth decay at some point in their lives. At least half of adults aged 30 and older also suffer from gum disease.
Poor oral hygiene is the main culprit behind both dental decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, traditional braces can contribute to the increased risks of these conditions. That’s because they make it harder for you to give your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning.
Invisalign can protect you from these problems while still effectively straightening your teeth!
6. No Age Restrictions
Teeth straightening isn’t only for kids or teenagers — they also work for adults, even those who are in their 80s!
7. Invisalign Can Fix Crooked or Overlapping Teeth
People who have an undersized mouth (or jaw) have too little space for the teeth. This lack of space can then cause the teeth to shift either forward or backward. The result is often unsightly crooked or overlapped teeth.
Invisalign can treat this issue by gently moving the teeth to more ideal locations. The aligners will shift the teeth so that they can spread out in an even manner. This then creates more space for the teeth to properly sit beside — and not in front or behind — each other.
8. It Can Correct Overbites, Underbites, and Crossbites
Can Invisalign fix overbite problems? Yes, it can correct minor to moderate overbites through the same way it fixes crooked teeth. It can also remediate underbites and crossbites.
9. Invisalign May Produce Results Faster Than Traditional Braces
So long as you follow the must-dos of Invisalign treatment, you may see results in as little as six months! The average range of treatment time for minor misalignment cases, however, is six to 12 months. For more severe cases, the treatment time can extend by a few more months.
Still, researchers found that Invisalign works faster than metal braces in many cases. In one study, Invisalign only took an average of 14 months to treat anterior crowding. Fixed braces, on the other hand, took up to 19 months to treat the same condition.
10. There’s Such a Thing as Accelerated Invisalign
Can’t wait for an entire year to see the results of your treatment? If so, then you should ask your Invisalign provider about Accelerated Invisalign. This treatment will give you straighter teeth in just six months!
11. Financing Options Are Available
In San Diego, Invisalign treatment can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $5,500. This depends on the severity of your malocclusion or teeth misalignment.
True, that’s a lot of money, but there’s no need to pay everything off in one go. You have a lot of Invisalign financing options to choose from to make payments easier to manage. There are even no-interest payment programs that you may qualify for!
Is Invisalign Worth It? It Definitely Is
There you have it, all the possible answers to your question, “Is Invisalign worth it?” With all these benefits and advantages over fixed braces, it’s easy to see that the answer is no doubt yes. It’s totally worth it, especially if you rather not have food always stuck between your teeth.
Ready for straighter, healthier teeth that make for a more dazzling smile? Then please feel free to schedule your free Invisalign consultation now! You can also check out our Invisalign office locations or give us a call to know more about our services!