Why Invisalign Is Better Than Metal Braces

Invisalign are transparent orthodontic devices that help adjust a patient’s teeth. Patients who want to straighten their teeth and improve their smile may shy away from metal braces because they can be unsightly and painful.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign are made from clear plastic and thus are invisible. These clear aligners are very effective and help to gently and subtly move the patient's teeth. The following are a few reasons Invisalign are better than metal braces:

1. Invisibility

Metal braces are not aesthetically pleasing, and this can affect the patient’s self-esteem. There is a great deal of stigma associated with metal braces, especially among teenagers and young adults. Fortunately, clear aligners are virtually invisible, and it can be very difficult to tell if a person has them.

2. Removable

Dentists glue metal braces to the patient’s teeth and tie them together using tiny rubber bands and wires. However, Invisalign are aligner trays that the patient wears over their teeth. The patient removes these aligner trays whenever they want to eat or drink anything that is not pure water. The fact that they are invisible also makes it easier for the patient to keep their teeth clean.

3. Easy maintenance

One of the issues that many people who have metal braces complain about is food getting caught in the wires. This makes the braces difficult to clean, and the patient may need a waterpik to remove all dirt and debris. Fortunately, Invisalign is much easier to clean and maintain. The patient can use an Invisalign cleaning system, or they can brush and rinse the aligner trays in lukewarm water.

4. No difficulty eating

People who have metal braces may find it difficult to eat hard or sticky foods. They may experience pain and even sores due to the brackets and movement of teeth. Fortunately, this is not the case with Invisalign. The patient can easily consume sticky and hard foods without any difficulty.

5. Less discomfort

Metal braces can be quite uncomfortable, especially during the first few days. Many patients complain about discomfort from the wires and brackets. Invisalign is less uncomfortable, and the patient can easily remove them at the end of the day to give their teeth a few hours of rest from the treatment.

6. Shorter treatment time

On average, a patient who has metal braces has them on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for two years, depending on their individual needs. However, with Invisalign, the patient only needs to have the braces on between 22 and 24 hours a day for six to 18 months.

Wrapping up

A better smile can help boost your self-esteem so you can be the best version of yourself. Unfortunately, people who have crooked teeth are less confident, and they may be afraid of smiling or talking in public. Invisalign is a great option for adults and teens, especially if they are self-conscious about their looks and would prefer if people did not know they have aligners. If your teeth are crooked, visit one of our dentists for a consultation to find out if Invisalign is the right option for you.

What is the bottom line?

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Gilroy Dental Associates, request an appointment in our Gilroy dental office here: . Or call us at (408) 842-2818.