Did you know that there are more than 4 million people in the United States alone who have braces? Having straight teeth is important for a variety of reasons. For example, if your teeth are very crooked, you might have trouble chewing food, cleaning your teeth, and even pronouncing certain words.
But when it comes to Invisalign vs braces, which is the better choice? Rochester Hills Orthodontics can provide you with both, but how can you be sure that either Invisalign aligners or traditional braces will be a good fit for your teeth? Keep reading and learn more about the difference between these two dental options.
Understanding Traditional Braces
Crooked teeth and misaligned teeth can both benefit from traditional braces as well as Invisalign aligners. Traditional braces have been around for a long time, and they have a good track record, but their main downside is their appearance. The problem with these braces is that they are very bulky and visible.
There is no way to hide them unless you keep your mouth closed all the time which, of course, is not feasible. This can be a serious downside if you are already embarrassed about your teeth and don’t want to draw any more attention to them. Traditional braces can also be quite uncomfortable, especially when you first get them.
When you first get metal braces, your orthodontist, Rochester Hills, MI, will attach the square metal brackets to the center of each of your teeth with glue. Then, he will attach wires to each of these brackets and tighten them. The wires are very important because they are responsible for pulling your teeth into place.
The Cons of Traditional Braces
At first, metal braces can be quite uncomfortable because of how tightly the wires are pulling on your teeth. The braces themselves can also be uncomfortable because they have some ridged edges that can scrape against the inside of your mouth.
When you get metal braces, you will need to take extra good care of your teeth; otherwise, you might suffer some dental health problems. In particular, if you don’t regularly brush your teeth, food particles can get stuck behind your braces. As a result, your tooth enamel could end up breaking down which could lead to cavities and tooth decay.
In some cases, the surface of your teeth could get stained. Of course, the last thing you want to see when you finally get your braces off is your teeth covered in stains. To prevent most of the problems associated with metal braces, all you need to do is take good care of your teeth.
Understanding Invisalign Aligners
When it comes to how to fix crooked teeth, Invisalign, Rochester Hills, is an easy and convenient solution. There are many differences between braces vs Invisalign aligners, and the first big difference that you will notice is that Invisalign aligners are completely invisible. This is quite unlike traditional metal braces, which you can’t hide at all.
Invisalign aligners are so clear that many people won’t even know that you’re wearing them to begin with. This is important if you are particularly self-conscious about your teeth and don’t want to bring any extra attention to them. Invisalign aligners are also unique because you can take them out of your mouth whenever you feel like it.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should keep taking them out throughout the day. For these aligners to work, you will need to keep them in your mouth for at least 23 hours a day. Otherwise, the aligners won’t have enough time to shift your teeth into position.
As a result, it will take much longer to get straight teeth.
Using the Aligners
You should even keep the aligners in your mouth while you’re asleep. This is important since teeth tend to shift while a person is asleep due to teeth grinding and clenching.
You should only take out your aligners to eat and brush your teeth. If you eat with your aligners in, you could end up bending and damaging them. This will make the aligners unusable, and you’ll have to get new ones which will cost you a lot of excess time and money.
Every few weeks, you will need to switch to a new aligner which will be tighter than the last. This will ensure that constant pressure is applied to your teeth. Over time, your teeth will start to shift, and your smile will become straight.
Invisalign vs Braces
Choosing between traditional braces and Invisalign aligners can be hard because they both come with their own unique benefits. For example, metal braces tend to be much more affordable than Invisalign aligners. For that reason, metal braces might be a much more feasible option for those on a tight budget.
On the other hand, if you want to make sure that your braces are invisible, you’ll have to opt for Invisalign aligners. While they are more expensive, you can hide them easily, and they are very comfortable to wear throughout the day. You also won’t have to worry about food getting stuck against your teeth since you can take out the aligners and brush your teeth whenever you need to.
Choosing between Invisalign vs Braces
When it comes to Invisalign vs braces, you’ll have to think about what you want for your teeth before you choose. You will also need to consider your budget and how much time you have available to take care of your teeth. Whatever the case, whether you get braces or aligners, you will end up with much healthier and straighter teeth.
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