Invisalign are a clear alternative to braces that straighten your teeth gradually over time.
Aside from the obvious comparison to traditional metal braces, many patients don’t know much
about Invisalign when they first come in for a consultation. For example, what are Invisalign?
How exactly do they work? Are they different from braces? Invisalign are relatively new to the
market, so it’s not surprising that there’s still some confusion and misconceptions surrounding
the technology. Let’s answer some of these questions now!
First, we’ll take a closer look at traditional braces to establish a baseline comparison.
When patients get braces in their mouth, the orthodontist puts metal brackets on the teeth,
cementing them to the tooth with special adhesive. A metal wire is threaded across your teeth
and tied securely to the brackets. In this way, by making minor adjustments over time, the wire
will push and pull your teeth into proper alignment.
Invisalign work a little differently. To the untrained eye, Invisalign may look more like
retainers than correctors. The top and bottom clear plastic molds, called trays, are created
specifically for the patient’s mouth. The magic of Invisalign comes with the multiple sets of trays
over the entire course of treatment. Rather than a single apparatus that gets adjusted and
tightened, Invisalign patients receive a new set of invisible aligners every few weeks. The trays
are designed to apply controlled pressure on certain teeth. So while the aligners may look and
feel like retainers, they’re actually correcting and straightening your teeth a bit at a time.
Comfort level is one of the biggest selling points of Invisalign over traditional braces.Patients often comment on how comfortable the Invisalign trays are, and their invisibility is a
nice perk as well. Of course, this comfort comes with a tradeoff. Braces are a bit more forceful in
their treatment, but that force translates to increased efficiency and decreased overall treatment
time. Braces are ideal for moderate to severe corrections, and Invisalign are best for those who
want minor cosmetic adjustments.
Noble Orthodontics is an advocate for both Invisalign and braces. In addition to
traditional metal braces, we also offer ceramic braces for those that want to keep a low profile on
their treatment. If you or your child are interested in teeth straightening, we invite you to join us
here at Noble Orthodontics. Come in for a free consultation, and we’ll discuss the best treatment
options for you. Bring out the best in your smile, contact us today!