These days, braces are a common sight among children, teenagers and even many adults. But even though braces are such a big decision and part of our lives, many people don’t know that there are alternatives to standard braces. One of which is Invisalign aligners. As a Guelph dental office, we strive to offer every one of our patients the options and services they need to feel comfortable and happy with their smile. For some, conventional braces are fine, but for others, there might be something about conventional braces that is preventing them from improving their smile. This month’s blog post is dedicated to shining some light on Invisalign aligners and the many benefits they provide. Below, we’ll discuss how they work, what types of problems Invisalign aligners can treat, the process of getting Invisalign aligners as well as compare them to standard braces. By the end, we hope that you have a better understanding of the alternative option to conventional braces and feel more comfortable about committing to the decision to improve your smile.
How Invisalign Works
Much like standard braces, Invisalign aligners are designed to correct various cases of misaligned teeth. But rather than gluing brackets to each tooth and using different gauges of wire to correct your teeth, Invisalign uses 3-D printed aligner trays. Each tray is custom-made for your mouth via an initial 3-D scan of your mouth and provides a more comfortable fit. And did we mention they’re practically invisible too? As your treatment plan proceeds, you’ll receive new aligner trays to complement each stage of your transformation. But unlike standard braces, this simply requires you to remove the old tray and replace it with the new one.
Treatable Cases
Invisalign aligners can be used to treat many of the same cases that standard braces can, but thanks to its less-invasive and less-involving design, it’s also suitable for more minor cases that conventional braces typically aren’t recommended for. The cases treatable by Invisalign aligners are:
- Crowded teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Gap teeth
- Open bite
- Minor straightening
- And more!
The Invisalign Process
The first step in the Invisalign process is to meet with your dentist and see if Invisalign is right for you. While Invisalign aligners are typically suitable for patients of all ages and with all different cases, sometimes other factors mean we’re not able to proceed with Invisalign aligners.
Once you and your dentist have decided that Invisalign is right for you, it’s time to get your mouth 3-D scanned. Yes, scanned— no goopy putty to gag on, just a quick and easy 3-D scan to perfectly fit your aligners to your mouth. During this step, your dentist will also be able to show you approximately what your mouth should look like once the Invisalign process is complete.
The next step is where the magic happens. Using the scan of your mouth, the Invisalign team will 3-D print your first invisible aligner tray so that it fits your mouth perfectly.
Once your tray is ready, you’ll meet once again with your dentist where they’ll hand over your invisible aligner tray and ensure a proper fit.
Throughout your transformation, new scans of your mouth will be taken to help provide a custom-fit for every Invisalign tray you receive. You’ll receive a new tray at pre-determined intervals based on your transformation’s status.
The last step of the Invisalign process is enjoying your smile — not only the end result but also throughout the entire transformation. Thanks to the invisible design of Invisalign aligners you’ll be able to watch your mouth slowly transform without wires or brackets impeding the picture.
Invisalign Vs. Standard Braces
Invisalign aligners and standard braces have very little in common. Mostly because the team behind Invisalign have made it their goal to improve on the standard braces process in every aspect possible. The only thing that the two options do share is the fact that many Orthodontic insurance plans cover both.
Pros of Choosing Invisalign Aligners
- Easily removable — No need to worry about what you can and can’t eat. Simply enjoy the foods and drinks that you crave most worry-free. It also means you can play and compete in your favourite sports and activities without the fear of damaging a wire or bracket and requiring an emergency dental visit.
- Revolutionary design — Thanks to its invisible appearance, your smile will never be impeded by wires or brackets. You can have your smile transformation and that natural look all at the same time. Invisalign aligners are also made from SmartTrack material making it easier to control the movement of each tooth.
- Uninterrupted Oral Hygiene – Standard braces make brushing and flossing a chore, but not Invisalign aligners. Simply remove your invisible tray, brush and floss like normal and then reinstall your tray.
- Ultimate Comfort — Because every Invisalign tray is custom-made for you, you’ll experience nothing but the utmost comfort every step of your transformation.
Pros of Choosing Standard Braces
- Covered by many Orthodontic insurance plans
We hope you now have a better understanding of one of the alternative options to standard braces. As a Guelph dental office, we are all for healthy, beautiful smiles, but our main priority is making sure you, the patient, are comfortable and happy with any process, service or treatment you choose. If you have any questions regarding Invisalign aligners, conventional braces or anything else dental related, we encourage you to get in touch with us by phone, email or on social media. We’d be more than happy to schedule a consultation appointment with you and answer any questions you might have.
