Traditional braces are a tried-and-true way to straighten your smile. However, they leave a lot to be desired in terms of comfort and convenience. These metal brackets and wires are glued in place across your smile, and typically stay there for at least 2 years. Throughout the traditional orthodontic process, many patients struggle with the discomfort, dietary restrictions, and even embarrassment that braces can cause. Fortunately, there are other solutions! With clear aligners like Invisalign or ClearCorrect, patients like you can enjoy a comfortable, convenient, and discreet way to straighten your smile.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand name for a type of clear aligner. Coined by the company Align Technology™, Invisalign® was the first commercial clear aligner system on the market in 1999.
Since then, many different brands of clear aligners have come along, but they all share the same goal: to make straightening your teeth more comfortable and convenient.
Clear aligners are clear plastic trays that fit over your smile like a glove fits a hand. Each tray is custom-crafted to your smile’s measurements to ensure a snug fit. However, throughout the series of trays, each new model has a slight change in shape, meant to slowly push your teeth into their ideal position.
Understanding the Clear Aligner Process
The clear aligner process is simple.
First, you’ll need a consultation. At Healthy Habit Dental Care, we offer free initial consultations.
During this meeting, we will assess your smile and determine if you’re eligible for treatments like Invisialign. While most patients are good candidates, some severe misalignments may require traditional braces instead.
Once we determine your eligibility, we’ll then take impressions of your smile to send to a lab and design a treatment plan. With your trays ready, we’ll send you home with the first set. Then, after a week or two, you’ll return for the next set in the sequence.
Over a period of 6 months to 2 years, you will go through a series of clear plastic trays to straighten your smile.
Then, once your teeth are in their ideal position, you’ll wear a retainer to keep them from shifting.
The Benefits of Invisalign and ClearCorrect
While metal braces will always have their use, there are several advantages to using clear aligners. These advantages include:
- Less discomfort: Metal braces are bulky and often feel foreign in your mouth. Clear aligners, in contrast, are smooth and sleek. Typically, patients get used to them quickly and feel less discomfort throughout their treatment.
- Faster treatment time: Traditional braces take around 2 years on average. While clear aligners like Invisalign® can take two years, they’re usually a much quicker treatment!
- No dietary restrictions: With braces on, patients have to avoid hard or sticky foods. Gum, popcorn, and corn on the cob are all off the table, or you risk damaging your braces. With Invisalign, you remove your aligners to eat, allowing you to chew without hesitation.
- Better convenience: Not only do you take clear aligners off to eat, but you also remove them to brush your teeth. Braces make oral hygiene a struggle, leaving stains and food trapped by the metal brackets. With clear aligners, you get to remove your custom trays to brush your teeth properly.
- More discreet: Metal braces are very noticeable. While there is nothing wrong with obvious braces, many patients wish to avoid them. This is especially true for adults who want to straighten their teeth discreetly. With Invisalign, you can fix your teeth with a clear tray that blends into your smile.
To learn if you’re eligible for clear aligner treatment, book your free consultation with Healthy Habit Dental Care today!
Comfortable Orthodontics With Clear Aligners Like Invisalign
Traditional metal braces are classic, but they lack some of the advantages newer methods provide. With clear aligners like Invisalign® or ClearCorrect, you can straighten your smile without the hassle! Simply wear your trays and go on about your day without worrying about what to eat or how to brush your teeth.
Book a free consultation at Healthy Habit Dental Care to learn how we can straighten your smile with clear aligner treatment.
