Crowded, crooked teeth and uneven bites are common problems among children, teens, and adults. Also known as malocclusions, they are some of the main reasons people feel self-conscious of their smiles. Many patients choose braces to correct these issues, with preteens and high schoolers most often sporting colorful elastics and metal brackets and wires.

However, an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment is Invisalign, especially for adults. Adults who wear braces often feel embarrassed wearing them in public, worrying about how others will react to what’s seen as a teeth treatment. But there is no need to worry. Invisalign is well-known as the “invisible braces” for a reason! They are transparent and form-fitting to your teeth so that patients can wear them without anyone noticing. Even trained dentists have a tough time spotting them on!

What Does Invisalign Do? Invisalign gets rid of mild and moderate malocclusions without the brackets and wires of dental braces. Instead, it uses a series of transparent trays custom-fit for your mouth that apply gentle but steady pressure to your teeth. Your treatment can be near-invisible to the naked eye. Each clear aligner tray is switched for the next in the set every two weeks. Over time, you can gradually shift your teeth into healthier positions, making it quick and easy to straighten your teeth—no braces necessary.

Invisalign is a more streamlined approach to orthodontics. Each clear aligner tray focuses on a specific part of your mouth that your orthodontist wants to correct. Instead, Braces utilize a more comprehensive and exhaustive method to straighten teeth, which takes more time to see results. How long do you have to wear Invisalign? While bracket braces can take 18 months to 3 years to complete, Invisalign can create similar results in a fraction of the time. Most patients only need 8 to 18 months with clear aligners. Those with milder malocclusions can require as little as 6!

Is Invisalign As Good As Braces? The short answer is yes. Invisalign is as effective as braces when correcting mild and moderate malocclusions. Most orthodontic patients receive the same results with aligners as they would with standard brackets and wires. However, more severe and complex orthodontic issues may require braces’ more comprehensive approach, applying force to each tooth simultaneously. Our orthodontist may also recommend braces instead if you have teeth that need to be raised/lowered in the jaw or rotated more than 20 degrees.

However, there are also even more ways that Invisalign blows braces out of the water! When choosing between Invisalign vs braces, many patients love clear aligners for these unique benefits:

• Enhanced Aesthetics – Invisalign takes the term “cosmetic dentistry” seriously. Without brackets and wires, transparent aligners are more discreet and can easily blend in with your smile. They create a much more seamless appearance than even clear braces using less noticeable ceramic brackets.
• Removable – While braces are bonded to your teeth, clear aligners slip over your teeth and are easy to slip on or remove. Invisalign only needs to be worn 20-22 hours a day, giving you time to take them out for meals and dental hygiene.
• Better Dental Health – Removable aligners make brushing and flossing your teeth simple. They require no extra steps or special appliances to keep your smile healthy. Metal and ceramic braces make flossing, in particular, more challenging as you need to weave the floss under every section of wire between brackets.
• No Food Restrictions – You can keep your same diet throughout treatment by taking out your aligners for meals. Just be sure to remove the Invisalign tray before eating or drinking anything to prevent staining or damaging your trays.
• More Comfortable – Without rough and bulky brackets, Invisalign is much gentler on your lips, cheeks, and gums. Also, since aligners apply more consistent but less forceful pressure to your teeth, they make the overall orthodontic process more comfortable.
• Faster Treatment – Invisalign can cut months or even years for standard braces treatment so that you can enjoy your new and improved smile faster.

How Should I Clean My Clear Aligners? It's important to take good care of your Invisalign aligners. You'll be wearing them for several months, so you want to ensure that they're clean and in good shape throughout your treatment. Clear aligners can accumulate plaque buildup without regular rinsing and cleaning, leading to cavities and gingivitis if you’re not careful. Plus, cleaner aligners will keep your aligners virtually invisible to others without the stains from plaque and food residue.

To take care of your Invisalign trays, remember to:

• Rinse your aligners after meals or brushing before putting them back in. Do not use hot water. Otherwise, your trays can warp out of shape and become ineffective.
• When possible, brush and floss your teeth before wearing your trays after eating. This can better stop plaque and bacteria from collecting on your aligners. (It also does a great job of keeping your dental health in peak form.)
• Brush your trays with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove food particles and plaque. Do not use toothpaste or mouthwash but instead a clear liquid soap to stop your aligners from staining or being damaged.
• Soak your Invisalign in an approved cleaning solution daily to sterilize your trays. Make sure to brush and rinse your aligners before wearing them.

To prevent your Invisalign trays from becoming lost or damaged, you should store your Invisalign in its case whenever you aren’t wearing them. This also makes it less likely for you to lose or forget your aligners.

Why Is Straightening Your Teeth Important? Orthodontics can play a significant role in your dental health and overall well-being and happiness. For example, crooked teeth and jaws can’t fit together properly, making it hard for you to eat and chew your food. Some people try to overcome this by taking larger bites and chewing less. Besides the obvious choking hazard, this can make for poor nutrition and painful indigestion. Malocclusions can also lead to several speech problems, like lisping and slurred speech.

Straighter teeth are also healthier teeth. Crooked teeth can be hard to brush and floss with the level of attention and accuracy they deserve. But with straight teeth, it’s easier to take care of your smile, allowing you to deal less often with issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath. It’s also less likely that a bad knock to the face or fall will lead to cracked and broken teeth. Plus, bad bites can lead to frequent tension headaches, jaw pain, or TMJ, making them a major pain in the neck.

Put together with their Invisalign-improved winning smile, many patients experience a considerable boost to their self-confidence and esteem. This can also help improve mental health, especially as you feel more assured when showing off your smile. After all, who doesn't love a beautiful set of pearly whites?

How Much Does Invisalign Cost? As clear aligners become more popular and commonplace, they have become much more affordable. These days, braces and Invisalign have the same general range in cost. Your treatments’ price largely varies depending on your smile’s specific needs. The complexity of your orthodontic issues and the length of your treatment are the primary factors impacting your Invisalign cost. More severe bite problems require more time to correct your smile, and longer treatments require more clear aligners to be made. Additionally, only some dental insurance plans cover orthodontics, so please check with your insurance beforehand.

Are you ready to see your amazing Invisalign before and after results firsthand? Call our Bellflower dental office today to schedule an orthodontic consultation with our caring team.