Posted on September 28, 2020
Braces are no longer out of the ordinary, nor are they seen as something that is overly involved or unnecessary. For many Americans, getting braces is almost expected, something of a rite of passage that we all go through. For example, about 4 million Americans are wearing braces today, as reported by the American Association of Orthodontists. For many people, the question is not so much if they’ll get braces, but when. While some have braces when they’re children, braces for adults are becoming increasingly common. This is because a lot of people chose to forego braces earlier in life, either because their parents decide against them or because they themselves protested braces. A lot of people regret being unable to wear braces as children, as the issues that they had early on are only exacerbated as adults.
While traditional braces can be noticeable on adults and children alike, they are not the only options available. Many Americans are choosing Invisalign aligners precisely because they are effective without being overly noticeable. These clear braces come with a number of benefits for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Invisalign aligners offer benefits even before you have to wear them. When a traditional braces treatment plan is created, it’s usually done with a traditional bite impression. This is uncomfortable, and it can take a few tries before a perfect mold is made due to the issues that discomfort can cause. Invisalign aligners are created through a digital scanning process, which is far less intrusive and can often be more accurate than traditional impression molds or x-rays.
Obviously, one of the reasons why Invisalign aligners became popular in the first place is that they are clear and fit over the teeth in a manner that is difficult for the naked eye to notice. Whereas children feel embarrassed about traditional braces because they call attention to them at a time when they’re already feeling vulnerable, adults often feel as if they’re taken less seriously when wearing traditional braces. Invisalign aligners accomplish the same task but without the obvious visual presence.
While Invisalign braces do need to be worn the vast majority of the day — usually at least 20 to 22 hours — in order to be effective, you don’t have to go to an orthodontist to have them taken off. In fact, people need to take off their own Invisalign aligners in order to eat. This ensures that the aligners will not become stained, thus rendering their translucent appearances pointless. In contrast, traditional braces must be worn at all times. Therefore, it’s easy for people to get food caught in their braces, which requires more attention to oral hygiene in order to keep them clean. So while people have to be responsible enough to take their aligners off in order to eat and clean them, they also can enjoy the foods that they like and can adjust when need be.
Invisalign aligners don’t force you to sacrifice results. Invisalign aligners can correct the same issues regarding overbite, crowded or misaligned teeth, and a number of other problems that if left untreated can cause serious complications in the long term. Invisalign aligners may make this treatment more feasible for a lot of people, without any sacrifices in quality. However, depending on your individual needs, your orthodontist may require a certain type of treatment based on what will be most effective for you.
Though every orthodontic insurance plan varies in terms of coverage, many assume that Invisalign aligners are too “new” to be covered. This is not the case; in fact, a lot of plans cover aligners just as they would traditional braces. Ultimately, this means that you can have your teeth problems corrected, and you can save the money that you would spend on corrective care in the future.
There are quite a few benefits to getting Invisalign aligners; hopefully, now that you know more about them, you’ll see if they’re right for you!
