While years ago we only understood orthodontics as the classic metal braces and we only associated these treatments with adolescents, today this specialty of dentistry has changed a lot.
This is due to the advances that this field has undergone in recent years, fundamentally with regard to the esthetic aspect.
The fact of being able to count on the so-called invisible orthodontics has encouraged many adults – who previously did not consider this possibility – to undergo orthodontic treatment.
Of all the esthetic methods currently available – Invisalign, lingual orthodontics and sapphire brackets – the first is possibly the one preferred by adult patients. Therefore, we are going to focus on its most characteristic advantages.
Although some of the benefits we will list are common to more than one treatment, others are unique to Invisalign.
The reasons patients choose Invisalign are related to esthetics and the ability to remove it at any time.
What are the advantages of Invisalign?
To date, more than three million people worldwide have chosen Invisalign to correct their malocclusion problems.
With these figures, the brand has extensive experience in treating all types of alterations related to the alignment and bite of teeth (crowding, overbite, open or crossbite…).
At this consolidated point in his career, the benefits of this treatment -which works by means of transparent aligners that are changed every two weeks- are as follows:
1. Aesthetic:
This is one of the main reasons why many people choose Invisalign over other orthodontic methods. In this case, the advantage is clear over traditional metal brackets and even sapphire brackets.
Although the latter are much more esthetic than the former, it is true that they do not achieve the level of transparency offered by Invisalign, which is practically imperceptible even at short distances.
For this reason, clear aligners neither inhibit nor detract from the wearer’s confidence during daily activities: making a presentation at work, attending a social event, etc.
However, at this point it must be recognized that lingual or Incognito orthodontics is more discreet. In fact, it is currently the only method that is 100% invisible. This is because the brackets are placed on the inner side of the tooth.
Incognito invisible orthodontics
Brackets on the inside of the tooth
2. Comfortable:
In this aspect, Invisalign clear braces have clear advantages over other alternatives. Although any type of bracket -whether metal, sapphire or lingual- causes some discomfort to the wearer in the form of wounds or sores on the tongue, cheeks or lip, Invisalign is oblivious to this.
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This is because the aligners fit perfectly to the anatomy of our teeth and have no metal or protruding elements. However, although Invisalign does not cause pain, it is common for patients to feel pressure on their teeth during the first 24-48 hours after inserting a new aligner.
At this point, it should be remembered that Invisalign works with splints that are changed every 14 days. All of them are different from each other and adapt to the movements of the teeth throughout the treatment.
3. Removable:
Although it has many other virtues, the fact that it is removable is, without a doubt, the most differentiating element that makes Invisalign stand out from other orthodontic systems.
Until its arrival, no treatment for adults had managed to offer patients such a highly valued feature: that they can decide when to put on and when to take off their appliance.
That said, it is important to note that for the splints to have the desired effect, it is necessary to respect the orthodontist’s indications for use: to wear them for 22 hours a day.
Although this does not imply total freedom for the patient when it comes to wearing it, it does allow for certain licenses. For example, apart from removing it to eat, drink and brush teeth, it can be removed to attend a social event.
However, it is essential to be responsible with its use: if one day it is worn for less than the indicated number of hours, it is necessary to compensate the following days.
Invisalign aligner with attachments
Invisalign can be taken on and off
4. Hygienic:
On this point, Invisalign continues to beat its competitors. Since it is removable, it can be taken out to eat, drink and brush your teeth. In addition, it can be cleaned with soap and water.
This is of undoubted benefit because it allows the patient to eat whatever he or she wishes without worrying about whether it will be harmful to the appliance or whether food debris will stick to it.
After eating, it will simply be necessary to brush the teeth normally – without forgetting the dental floss – and put the clean aligners back in place.
5. Predictable:
The technology used by the brand means that Invisalign has its own software called ClinCheck. This program performs a virtual representation of the movements of the teeth throughout the treatment.
In this way, the patient can see the final result even before the first aligner is fitted. It also makes it possible for both the dentist and the patient to follow the progress of the teeth during the entire treatment time.
This makes Invisalign very predictable, as it makes it possible to check at all times whether the wearer’s actual progress is similar to that planned in the ClinCheck.
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ClinCheck software to see results
Invisalign ClinCheck
6. It adapts to your time:
Invisalign – whether in the Full or Lite version – is a technique that adapts to the rhythm of each person’s life. This is because it is very predictable, it does not usually give rise to emergencies and the orthodontist administers a series of splints to the patient beforehand so that he can change them himself.
Therefore, of all the orthodontic treatments, it is the most suitable for patients who have little time available for consultation. Likewise, it is even the most suitable for people who live far away -in another city or country- from the place where their orthodontist’s clinic is located.
While other methods are characterized by many emergencies – brackets falling off, broken arches, etc. – it is rare for Invisalign splints to break. For this reason, check-up appointments can be scheduled every six, eight or even more weeks, depending on the case.
Set of aligners in their boxes
Set of splints in their boxes
Having listed all the advantages that Invisalign offers over other cosmetic orthodontic treatments, it is time to assess whether these aligners – whether in the Full or Lite version – are the method that best suits your needs.
Remember that you can contact us at any time. We will be happy to answer all your questions. If, in the meantime, you would like to know more about other techniques before making a decision, we offer you our comparison between lingual orthodontics and Invisalign.
