When it comes to choosing how to straighten your teeth and get the best smile possible, you’ve most likely come across two solutions.
The first is the “traditional” approach - metal braces. These have been around for decades. Almost everyone knows someone who’s had braces at some point in time.
And while most don’t necessarily hate the experience, the majority of people do not look back on that time of their life with any great fondness.
Fortunately, there’s another solution - Invisalign is a relatively new technology that offers patients the end result of a straight set of teeth without many of the drawbacks of traditional braces.
Here are four advantages that Invisalign in Okotoks can provide that give them a serious edge over the old school option and the problems associated with it.
Less Pain And Discomfort
One of the big drawbacks of
braces (as anyone who’s had them will tell you) is the pain and
discomfort.
Not only do you have to deal with the fact that you have a wire in your mouth that’s gradually pulling your teeth in all sorts of directions, but you also have the metal factor. As you can imagine, metal brackets don’t exactly feel amazing, and they tend to do a lot of poking and prodding.
While Invisalign may not be entirely discomfort free (the aligners do still shift your teeth around after all), they tend to be far more comfortable than braces, and come without all the annoying poking and prodding.
Less Food Restrictions
As you’re no doubt aware if you’ve known anyone who’s had them, braces don’t just come with a lot of discomfort, but a lot of restrictions as well - carrots, apples, nuts, popcorn and a whole list of your other favorite foods go out the window.
This is all thanks to the fact that these foods can damage both the brackets and the wires that come with a set of braces.
With Invisalign, there are no food restrictions - you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, which makes the process much more bearable.
Less
Social Awkwardness
While more and more adults are now opting for teeth realignment procedures, the reality is that traditional braces are still commonly associated with teenagers. And while you will indeed see more adults wearing them than in the past, the fact of the matter is that most people over the age of 18 (as well as most teens themselves) would rather not spend 18 months walking around with a mouth full of metal.
This is one of the key benefits of Invisalign (and the reason for its name) - the aligners are completely invisible. No one will know that you have them on. You’ll be able to go through the process of straightening your teeth 100% incognito, and you won’t have to deal with the awkwardness of explaining why you have a mouth full of braces.
Safer And More Efficient
Last but not least, Invisalign is also safer than the alternative. While braces aren’t dangerous per se, there are some risks. A broken wire could end up stuck in your gums, for example.
With Invisalign, not only will you not have to deal with these potential safety hazards, you could also potentially get the whole process over with quicker.
While they are certainly reliable, braces tend to take a bit longer. It does depend on your specific situation and the extent of realignment that needs to be done (consult with a dentist in Okotoks for a more informed opinion), but many patients find that Invisalign tends to work faster than the traditional alternatives - definitely a plus if you want to get the smile of your dreams as quick as you can. Looking for Invisalign near you? Visit a dentist near you that offers this service.