What is Invisalign? An introduction from Phoenix’s Top Orthodontist
You’ve probably heard of and seen braces on fellow friends or co-workers, but Invisalign can slip under the radar easily as a teeth-straightening alternative because of its invisible nature. This is arguably its most appealing aspect to it since it removes some of the insecurities that can come with the hardware of braces. This can be especially important if you’re an adult and you don’t want the youthful association that usually comes with braces.
Invisalign treatment uses a series of flexible plastic trays that gradually straighten teeth over the course of 16-18 months depending on your specific treatment plan. There’s more than what meets the eye when it comes to Invisalign, though. If you’ve ever wondered about it or if it’s right for you, read on to learn about some of the key things about this popular orthodontic treatment.
Although the invisibility of Invisalign Phoenix can outweigh any negative effects that come with it for a lot of patients, one of the potential cons of Invisalign is its disciplined regimen you’ll have to follow, which requires more involvement than braces. The Invisalign trays must be worn 22 hours per day and anything less than that might extend your treatment time. Some patients can struggle with remembering to insert them after eating food or might not have the dedication to be as strict with wearing their aligners constantly. You should be realistic with yourself and how often you think you’ll wear your trays to reach your desired smile when looking into Invisalign.
An added benefit of Invisalign is that you don’t have to worry about what foods you eat and if they’ll end up popping a bracket with braces. There is a catch to this freedom, though. Since the trays are removable, you’ll have to take the trays out from your mouth while eating or drinking fluid besides water. Before putting them back in, you’ll also have to brush your teeth to ensure your Invisalign trays stay clean. This frequent cleaning, removal, and reinsertion can be cumbersome for some patients, but others have found it helps reduce the urge to snack and have even found their teeth whiter from the frequent cleanings. This is also a long-term benefit to patients as it helps build healthy oral hygiene habits.
Your daily life while using Invisalign will likely go on without much change. You won’t have to worry about people noticing your trays, like the hardware that comes with braces, and once your mouth adjusts to having the extra bulk from the trays, your speech should be normal as well. The biggest change you’ll probably notice is with the discomfort in your mouth. Since Invisalign straightens teeth by putting pressure on them to move them into the desired spots, it’s normal to experience mouth discomfort. This will usually start once a new tray is inserted and will dissipate after a couple of days when your teeth get used to the new position. This discomfort isn’t unique to Invisalign, as braces use the same pressure to move teeth.
When all is said and done, it really comes down to the patient and their preferences for whether they choose braces or Invisalign to straighten their teeth. If you’re a Phoenix resident and you’ve been curious about Invisalign for yourself, you can learn more by visiting
, voted the top orthodontic practice in 2018 by Phoenix Magazine!
