Misaligned teeth can lead to a host of oral and overall health issues like uneven enamel wear, hygiene difficulties, pain in the neck, head, jaw, or back, and difficulty being proud of your smile. Thankfully, Invisalign can be an excellent way to resolve many mild to moderate alignment issues. Here’s a quick look at how Invisalign works and how it is different from traditional orthodontic methods such as metal braces.
How Does Invisalign Straighten Teeth?
Invisalign straightens a patient’s smile using a customized sequence of clear aligners designed to gradually shift the teeth into healthier and more visually pleasing positions. The patient must wear their aligners for at least twenty hours each day while removing them when eating or drinking anything but water, and the appliances must be thoroughly rinsed each time before being placed back in the mouth. Every two weeks or so, the patient will have to switch to the next set of aligners in their sequence to keep the process on track.
How Is Invisalign Different from Traditional Braces?
A few key ways in which Invisalign differs from traditional braces include:
- What can be treated: While traditional braces can be used to address mild to severe misalignments, Invisalign is ideal for mild to moderate cases.
- Timeframe: Traditional braces can take one to three years to resolve a misalignment. Invisalign, on the other hand, takes six to eighteen months.
- Removability: Traditional braces are cemented to the teeth and should only be removed by a qualified orthodontist. Invisalign clear aligners are designed to be easily removed by the patient when necessary.
- Dietary requirements: Traditional braces preclude the patient from eating a wide range of foods that are tough, hard, sticky, sugary, acidic, or chewy. Since Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed for meals and snacks, patients will be able to eat whatever they like as long as they practice excellent oral hygiene.
- Oral hygiene requirements: Traditional braces require elaborate cleaning rituals involving specialized tools like interdental brushes and gum massagers. Invisalign allows patients to remove their aligners before oral hygiene sessions so they can brush and floss normally.
- Comfort: Traditional braces involve pointy parts that can irritate the oral tissues and periodic tightening appointments that can be uncomfortable. If Invisalign patients feel any discomfort, it is probably a mild sense of tightness that lasts for about a day after switching to a new set of aligners. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Don’t let dental misalignments lead to a host of health and quality-of-life issues. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to straighten out your grin.
About the Practice
Dentaworks Hawaii offers the finest oral health services in Honolulu. Led by Drs. Darren Wong and Kristi Koyanagi, the staff treats each patient with courtesy and respect while maintaining a friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign services. To schedule a consultation for Invisalign, contact the office on the web or dial (808) 528-1200.