Have questions about Invisalign® aligners? You’ve come to the right place! Our Invisalign dentists in Ann Arbor, Clarkston, and Plymouth, MI, would be more than happy to help you explore your orthodontic options.
In the meantime, here are the main pros and cons of . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our three dental offices.
Pro: Clear Aligners are Discreet
The #1 reason why people choose Invisalign aligners is because they’re clear and discreet. In fact, most people won’t even realize you’re wearing your unless you tell them or they’re standing close. This is perfect for patients who may feel self-conscious about traditional metal braces.
Pro: You Can Enjoy an Unrestricted Diet
Aligners are removable, which means you’ll be able to enjoy an unrestricted diet during Invisalign treatment. In contrast, patients with metal braces must avoid foods that are sticky and/or difficult to chew. Otherwise, they risk damaging their metal wires and brackets.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to brush your teeth after eating or drinking anything but water to avoid staining your clear aligners. For this reason, we recommend carrying a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste with you. That way, you’ll be able to practice oral hygiene at school, work, or while you’re on the go.
Pro: It’s Easy to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Since aligners are removable, you’ll be able to practice good oral hygiene with relative ease. Simply remove your aligners before brushing and flossing your teeth to maintain a healthy smile during orthodontic treatment. You may also use a fluoride mouth rinse to strengthen your tooth enamel and increase your resistance to cavities.
If you have traditional metal braces, maintaining healthy teeth and gums may be more difficult. For example, we often recommend that patients use floss threaders to guide the floss underneath the archwire and between every tooth. This is just one example illustrating the differences between aligners and metal braces.
Con: Aligners Must Be Worn Consistently
In order for your aligners to work, you’ll need to wear them consistently. This means that you’ll need to wear your clear orthodontic aligners at least 20 to 22 hours per day. If you don’t wear your aligners as instructed by our dentists, your teeth won’t move according to schedule. You may also notice that your Invisalign clear aligners feel tighter around your teeth.
The best way to stay on track with your Invisalign treatment is to only remove your aligners when absolutely necessary. This means that you should only remove your aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss. The more you wear your aligners, the closer you’ll get to finishing your treatment.
Learn More: What Parents Should Know About Invisalign for Teens →
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation
Want to learn more about your orthodontic treatment options? Call Main Street Dentistry to schedule a consultation with one of our . You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.