10 Advantages of Invisalign

Learn the advantages of Invisalign

Give yourself the gift of a healthy, beautifully straight smile with Invisalign

When you think about self-care, what comes to mind? Do you think about relaxing at home with a book or art supplies or going out with your friends to relax and have fun, or maybe making time for exercise or doctor appointments to keep your body healthy? 

You might not think of orthodontic care, like Invisalign, as a kind of self-care, but it absolutely can be! After all, by straightening your teeth with Invisalign, you’ll receive a range of benefits that can help keep you healthier while building your self-confidence and helping you feel better about yourself.

But what sets Invisalign apart from traditional orthodontic treatments, like braces? Well, Invisalign’s unique design and use of cutting-edge technology allow it to provide benefits that braces simply can’t, all while treating almost every issue braces do! We’ve outlined 10 advantages of Invisalign to help you understand it better and learn what could make it ideal for you.

1. Invisalign aligners are discreet.

Just like their name suggests, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible on your teeth. Most people won’t even realize you’re wearing them, which allows you to undergo orthodontic treatment discreetly. It’s one of the most well-known advantages of Invisalign and serves as a major draw for many patients because it’s ideal for those of all ages and walks of life. 

Whether you’re a teenager who wants to skip the awkward braces phase or an adult who wants to continue to look professional at work, Invisalign’s discreet treatment strategy can work wonders for you by allowing you to maintain confidence in your smile while you straighten it. Since the clear aligners allow you to see the changes in your smile in real time, you’ll be able to fall in love with your smile more and more as your treatment progresses!

2. They’re easily removable.

You can do most things, like play an instrument or record a video, with your aligners on, but if you want to remove them for special occasions, one of the major advantages of Invisalign is that it’s absolutely an option! There are also times you should take your aligners out, such as to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush or floss your teeth. 

The only thing you need to be aware of when taking your aligners out is that you don’t lose them or keep them off for too long, as they need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day to do their best work and straighten your teeth on schedule. Popping your aligners out and back in again is quick and simple, and the flexibility it provides is invaluable for many people.

3. Invisalign aligners allow you to maintain normal oral health habits.

When it comes to oral hygiene, Invisalign makes things as simple as possible. Instead of navigating around brackets and wires to clean your teeth, all you need to do is pop your aligners out. Once they’re out, you can brush, floss, and use mouthwash just like you’ve always done! Plus, with the smooth surface of the aligners, you don’t have to worry about food getting stuck between metal parts, making the process just as simple as it has always been.

You will need to brush your teeth a little more often—after every meal—to avoid putting your aligners back on over dirty teeth because this could make them lose their clear nature. Still, it’s a simple habit to build! The only extra step you need to add is gently washing your aligners once a day using lukewarm water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and an Invisalign cleaner to keep them clean, clear, and smelling fresh. It’s as simple as that. 

4. They help you maintain a white smile.

If you don’t clean your teeth around the braces’ brackets well enough, your teeth can end up with stains where the brackets once sat. Thankfully, Invisalign completely avoids this issue by not having brackets at all. Even better, the removable aligners ensure that your oral hygiene routine is just as simple as it was before you got them. This ease of care ensures that they won’t have any negative impact on the color of your teeth. Brushing your teeth more often, especially if you’re using a whitening toothpaste, may even lead to a slight improvement in the shade of your teeth.

5. Invisalign doesn’t require food restrictions.

Since you also remove Invisalign aligners to eat, the treatment doesn’t come with any dietary restrictions. This means all your favorite foods—from crunchy popcorn and peanut brittle to chewy caramel or hard whole apples—are still on the menu! As long as you remove your aligners before you start eating, you can eat whatever you want. That’s a massive plus for many people!

6. They’re comfortable. 

Invisalign aligners are made from smooth plastic, and each aligner is designed specifically for you with both function and comfort in mind. Unlike the metal wires and brackets of braces, the smooth plastic of your aligners won’t cut or scrape the delicate skin on the inside of your mouth. 

This makes them more comfortable than braces, but you’ll still experience some discomfort from the straightening process. This means you’ll likely notice a little soreness for a couple of days after you switch to a new aligner, just like people with braces experience similar soreness after their orthodontist adjusts their wires. Thankfully, though, this discomfort is minor and short-lived, and it’s easy to knock it out with over-the-counter pain medication if necessary.

7. They shorten trips to the dentist and reduce the need for emergency appointments.

You’ll still need to visit the dentist regularly when you choose Invisalign to ensure the aligners are moving your teeth the way they’re supposed to, but since your dentist won’t have to adjust anything the way they would with braces, your appointments will take less time. Additionally, while braces can sometimes necessitate an emergency dental appointment to repair broken wires, the smooth surface of aligners eliminates this risk. This saves you time you’d otherwise spend at the dentist—time you can spend doing what you love instead!

8. Invisalign often works faster than traditional braces.

Invisalign aligners often correct your bite faster than traditional braces, with an average treatment time of 12 months. Some people even complete their treatment in as little as six months! In contrast, braces’ average treatment time is 24 months. This difference is partially because braces are often used to resolve more severe orthodontic issues. If you have mild to moderate issues, however, you’ll likely still experience a faster treatment time with Invisalign.

Your treatment length will depend upon the severity of your case no matter which method you choose. If you’d like an estimate for your treatment time, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Desai. She can perform an evaluation and give you an estimate so you know what to expect before you undergo treatment.

9. They improve your oral health.

Caring for your oral health during Invisalign treatment is so easy you’ll likely be able to keep it in good shape throughout the process. Plus, straightening your teeth and improving your bite have very real benefits for your oral health beyond improving the appearance of your teeth. It’s easier to brush and floss straight teeth thoroughly, which works with your regular oral hygiene routine to help decrease the likelihood that you’ll develop oral health issues, like cavities or gum disease, in the future.

Aligning your bite also helps reduce the likelihood that you’ll develop TMJ issues in your jaw. These benefits alone are enough to make Invisalign worth it for many people!

10. They’re covered by dental insurance.

Nowadays, Invisalign is often covered by dental insurance plans in the same way traditional braces are. This means Invisalign often costs about the same as traditional braces, which makes it as good for your wallet as it is for your confidence and oral health! It’s always best to check with your insurance provider first to find out exactly what is covered. 

With so many benefits to offer, it’s easy to see why Invisalign has quickly become a standard orthodontic treatment. Plus, if you get your orthodontic treatment at Luminous Smiles, you won’t have to endure any gooey impressions during the treatment planning process. Instead, extremely precise impressions of your teeth will be created using advanced imaging technology. If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign or the treatment process from a Newport Beach dentist, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Desai at any time.

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