Is there something you wish you could change about your teeth? There’s no doubt that uneven teeth can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem. More than 33% of American adults are unhappy with their smiles, and many people suspect they need braces, but braces are expensive, time-consuming, and often painful. Is all that really worth it? Plus, many people — especially adults — don’t like the idea of walking around with metal on their teeth.
All this leads many people to abandon the hope of straight teeth for good, but don’t give up yet! Traditional metal braces aren’t the only way to straighten teeth. In fact, many people find Invisalign to be a better option.
Today’s post will help you decide if straightening your teeth is worth it, how a straighter smile might improve your life, and the reasons why many people choose Invisalign over traditional braces.
Signs you might need braces
Usually, people choose to straighten their teeth in order to improve the look of their smile or to address a health problem associated with misaligned teeth — or both.
Straightening your teeth could benefit you if…
- Your teeth are crowded or crooked
- You have gaps in your teeth
- You often bite the inside of your cheek when you eat or talk
- The position of your teeth makes it difficult to bite or chew food
- You’re unhappy with the look of your teeth
If you’re a teen or pre-teen, you’re also more likely to need braces if…
- You sucked your thumb as a child (especially after the age of 5)
- You lost your baby teeth earlier or later than average
- Your adult teeth came in late
- You have missing or extra teeth
What are the benefits of straighter teeth?
Better oral health: Teeth that are crooked are more likely to trap bits of food and can be difficult to clean, especially when teeth overlap. If that sounds like you, straightening your teeth could lower your risk for cavities and gum disease. What’s more, properly aligned teeth help support optimal jaw function. In other words, straighter teeth can often help prevent or treat TMJ pain and headaches.
A beautiful smile: It’s not uncommon for people to avoid smiling in pictures because they’re not happy with the way their teeth look. For many people, crooked teeth even affect their social and professional lives. If your smile is hurting your self-confidence, and your teeth are holding you back from living your fullest, happiest life, straightening your teeth can be life-changing!
Should you choose Invisalign instead of metal braces?
If you’ve ever had metal braces (or you’re close with someone who has) then you probably already know why most people hate them.
Traditional braces are:
- Uncomfortable and full of sharp wires and edges
- Stuck to your teeth every second of every day until your orthodontist removes them
- Difficult to clean (and they make your teeth difficult to brush and floss too)
- Often thought of as a treatment for kids and teenagers, which makes many adults feel self-conscious wearing them
Invisalign is different. It involves wearing a series of custom-made invisible aligners that are designed to gently move your teeth into proper position bit by bit. As you continue to use straighter and straighter aligners, your teeth get straighter too.
Invisalign aligners are:
- Comfortable to wear (no metal and no pokey edges)
- Removable — you can take them out before you eat, brush your teeth, or give a big presentation at work
- Easy to clean and maintain, and they don’t affect brushing and flossing
- Completely clear and virtually invisible — people won’t even know you’re wearing them!
Don’t fall for mail-order aligners
Many companies offer “DIY orthodontics,” where they send you aligners in the mail. They often advertise convenience and low costs. The problem is, the downsides of this method can end up costing you a lot.
First of all, the only way to make safe and effective aligners is by taking incredibly accurate impressions of your teeth. With mail-order aligners, you typically use a kit to make impressions yourself. But unfortunately, taking accurate impressions is not easy. Even dentists and orthodontists often elect to redo impressions if they’re not perfect the first time, and it takes a trained eye to spot an inaccurate impression. Without good impressions, your aligners won’t work, and they may even make your teeth worse!
Another problem? There’s no expert involved with mail-order aligners. A dentist or orthodontist will have the expertise and equipment to examine your mouth and assess your oral health before recommending treatment of any kind. For example, it’s important for your dentist to know if you’re also experiencing TMD symptoms (if your jaw clicks, grinds, shifts, or hurts), since it may be necessary to address this in addition to simply straightening your teeth.
Plus, when you work directly with a professional, you know exactly who to call if your aligner breaks or if something doesn’t feel right. We can also help you make sure your newly straight teeth stay that way and don’t start shifting out of place again.
Thinking of getting Invisalign? Here’s what to expect
At Sedation Dentistry of Sunny Isles, our process always starts with a consultation. One of our award-winning doctors will look at your teeth, talk to you about your goals for your smile, walk you through all your options, and give you an honest recommendation — whether it’s Invisalign or something else.
If you choose to get Invisalign with us, we’ll talk to you about what you can expect from the process, how long it will take, and how soon you’ll start seeing results!
We’ll check on your progress regularly to make sure your aligners are working exactly as expected, and we’re always here to answer questions that come up along the way.
Ready to schedule your Invisalign consultation?
Our dentists have helped thousands of people improve their smiles with Invisalign, and we’re always welcoming new patients. We can’t wait to help you get the straightest, healthiest, and most beautiful smile of your life! Contact us today to request an appointment.