A straight, balanced set of teeth makes your smile look aesthetically pleasing and facilitates optimum oral health. According to dental experts, the alignment of the teeth should be in a way that safeguards the gums and offers appropriate cleaning access for the patient to care for their teeth. Thus, having a straight smile with a good-looking tooth can keep people’s mouths clean and inhibit gum diseases, dental decay, tooth loss, and more.
Put, straight teeth alignment has both elective and restorative benefits. Since time immemorial, traditional or metal braces have been the sole trajectory for people to correct their dental alignment. However, everything changed in 1998 when Invisalign – the clear aligner product – hit the market. If you have been contemplating aligners or other orthodontic treatments, contacting a West Columbia dental expert might help.
What Is Invisalign?
The American Association of Orthodontists defines ‘dental aligners’ as devices of transparent plastic-like material which can snugly fit all the upper and lower teeth of a person. Invisalign is the brand name of a thin clear dental aligner ideal for orthodontic treatments. It is the oldest and the most renowned clear aligner product, introduced in 1998 by Align Technology. However, since then, more clear aligners from other brands have propped up, such as Spark and ClearCorrect.
The Invisalign dental aligner has a flexible patent thermoplastic which is SmartTrack. The distinguishing feature of Invisalign is its ‘inconspicuous’ nature. Unlike traditional metal braces with a stark appearance, Invisalign is relatively ‘invisible.’ In addition, traditional braces move the person’s teeth all at once, but clear aligners like Invisalign shift individual sections of the teeth. Thus, changing the aligners frequently becomes essential.
Why Choose Invisalign?
A West Columbia dental expert can recommend Invisalign for various reasons, such as crowded teeth, mild to moderate bite issues, and more. According to the official website of Invisalign, the device can deal with the following dental problems –
- Specific types of overbite, underbite, and crossbite problems
- Teeth with gaps
- Open bite
- Crowded teeth
However, Invisalign may be more beneficial for some dental issues than others. For instance, a 2017 study reveals that clear aligners like Invisalign can help align a person’s arches, but they may not be as advantageous for severe bite problems. Thus, the key is to be an expert in Invisalign Columbia SC.
How Does Invisalign Help Deal With Dental Problems: Three Aspects To Consider
For Invisalign to work and mend a dental problem, you must wear the device for 22 hours a day for 1 to 3 weeks. Thereafter, your orthodontist would provide a new set of aligners that better fit the slightly altered dimensions of your teeth. Your teeth will move slowly with each set of new aligners. Since its inception in 1997 to present times, Invisalign has treated over 2.4 million patients, and 80000 dentists and orthodontists have received expert training for treating patients with the device. However, to understand the efficacy of Invisalign, it is vital to transcend beyond anecdotal evidence.
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High Level of Patient compliance
Invisalign does work for many mild to moderate orthodontic issues, such as crowding, overbites, cross bites, underbites, and open bites. Moreover, we all know the benefits of Invisalign for periodontal diseases. However, its efficiency depends on a high level of patient compliance. IOne must wear Invisalign diligently and rigorously for 20 to 22 hours daily. Prospective Invisalign candidates can expect a positive outcome only if they take their trays out for a few hours. If you do not wear Invisalign earnestly, the teeth will move out of place, disrupting progress.
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Shorter Treatment Stints
Currently, there is minimal research regarding the effectiveness of Invisalign. For instance, a 2015 review of 11 studies encompassing Invisalign illustrates a restriction in proving its proficiency. Moreover, the research regarding the benefits of clear aligners, like Invisalign, vis-à-vis traditional metal braces has limitations. In fact, a 2019 study found no statistical difference in outcomes. Having provided the disclaimer, it is noteworthy that Invisalign has more benefits than other clear aligners. For example, one edge that clear aligners have is that their treatment time is shorter on average than traditional braces.
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Potential age-related Benefits
As per studies, the wearer’s age may influence tooth movement vis-à-vis clear aligner usage. According to a 2013 peer-reviewed research comprising 30 volunteers, the rate of teeth movement slightly increases from the ages 35 to 50. Thus, implying that Invisalign may be more effective in dealing with the oral problems of this age cohort.
Wrapping It Up
In a nutshell, Invisalign comes with multiple benefits, such as better aesthetics, convenient removal, easy cleaning, and fewer hazards. However, it may not be suitable for all types of orthodontic problems. Remember that professional consultation is the sole solution when it comes to health. A West Columbia dental expert can help determine whether Invisalign is right for you.