If you have tooth alignment issues or an improper bite, then you might be looking into your orthodontic options.
Most patients aren’t exactly thrilled with a common solution to straighten their teeth, specifically metal braces.
They can be uncomfortable and require special maintenance, not to mention that during your treatment, your confidence in your appearance takes a toll.
Luckily, there is a popular alternative that has unique benefits: Invisalign.
Keep reading to discover the five perks of these clear aligners:
What Does Invisalign Treatment Involve?
Understanding the general flow of treatment can make the decision to move forward feel a lot less uncertain.
- Consultation. Dr. Atari evaluates your teeth, bite, and overall oral health to confirm you’re a good candidate.
- Digital scanning. A 3D scan of your mouth replaces the need for messy physical impressions and forms the basis of your treatment plan.
- Treatment plan and simulation. Using the scan, a projected treatment plan is created, showing the expected progression of your smile from start to finish.
- Receiving your aligners. You’ll receive a series of custom trays, typically changing to a new one every one to two weeks as your teeth gradually shift.
- Progress checkups. Periodic visits allow your dentist to confirm treatment is progressing as expected and make adjustments if needed.
- Retention. Once your teeth reach their final position, a retainer maintains your results long-term.
Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces at a Glance
Before getting into each benefit individually, here’s how the two options generally compare side by side.
| Feature | Invisalign | Traditional Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Nearly invisible | Clearly visible metal brackets and wires |
| Removable | Yes | No, fixed to the teeth |
| Dietary restrictions | None, removed before eating | Yes, hard and sticky foods should be avoided |
| Comfort | Generally less pressure, less irritation | Can cause soreness, especially after adjustments |
| Oral hygiene | Easy, brush and floss normally | More difficult, requires special tools around brackets |
| Typical treatment time | 6 to 18 months for mild to moderate cases | 18 to 36 months, varies by case severity |
| Best for | Mild to moderate alignment and bite issues | Mild to severe or complex alignment issues |
While Invisalign offers a lot of advantages, traditional braces still have their place, particularly for more complex orthodontic cases that need more forceful, continuous correction. Cost is often comparable between the two for similar levels of treatment complexity, though Invisalign can sometimes run slightly higher for cases requiring an extended number of aligner trays. Your specific quote will depend on the complexity of your case, which is best discussed during a consultation.
1. Easy Maintenance
Invisalign aligners are removable, and this seemingly small difference makes for a less fussy cosmetic dental treatment.
Patients can take out their aligners to eat and brush their teeth and not worry about wires and brackets getting in the way. The golden rule with clear aligners is to wear them for at least 22 hours a day and clean both your teeth and aligners every day.
Cleaning your aligners is simple. A soft toothbrush and lukewarm water are usually enough for daily upkeep, and many patients use a dedicated cleaning solution or crystals once a week to keep the trays clear and odor-free. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic, and never use colored or scented soaps that can leave residue or stain the trays.
2. Less Discomfort
Invisalign is much more comfortable than traditional metal braces. While they both work by applying pressure to the teeth, the amount of pressure Invisalign can offer is smaller and therefore less painful.
Patients can feel some tightness once they first put their aligners on, but this discomfort usually goes away rather quickly. After getting braces tightened, patients usually experience a few days of soreness and pain.
There’s also no risk of the mouth sores and cuts that metal brackets and wires sometimes cause, particularly along the inside of the cheeks and lips. This is one of the reasons many adult patients, especially those returning to orthodontic treatment after having braces as a teenager, find Invisalign a noticeably easier experience the second time around.
3. No Dietary Restrictions
With Invisalign, you can still enjoy your favorite treats both at home and when dining out. The only condition is to remove the aligners before eating and to clean your teeth and rinse the trays before putting them back on.
With braces, patients will need to avoid certain foods that can damage the wires or get caught in them. Moreover, since the braces can be painful at times, patients should also avoid hard foods that require a lot of chewing.
This also means fewer emergency visits for a broken bracket or a poking wire, which is a common reason braces patients end up needing an unplanned appointment. Since Invisalign trays come out entirely, there’s simply nothing rigid attached to your teeth that can snap or shift unexpectedly.
4. Practically Invisible
Invisalign aligners are clear, and as long as you keep them clean, they will not be noticeable on your teeth.
This makes the entire treatment a lot more discreet. Most people won’t be able to tell you have Invisalign on during a normal conversation unless you point it out.
This discretion is a big reason Invisalign has become especially popular among working professionals and adults who want to straighten their teeth without the more noticeable look of metal braces during meetings, presentations, or everyday interactions.
5. Precise Results
Invisalign trays are custom-made for you based on scans of your mouth. The movement of the teeth is established with a lot of precision to ensure they end up in their most optimal position.
Patients will go through multiple trays during their treatment to ensure the teeth respond correctly.
This process typically starts with a digital scan of your mouth, which is used to generate a full simulation of your treatment plan before you even receive your first tray. This lets you and Dr. Atari preview roughly how your smile will progress and what the final result should look like before committing to treatment.
What About Missing Teeth or Other Complicating Factors?
Invisalign candidacy isn’t always as simple as “yes” or “no.” If you’re missing one or more teeth, that gap can affect how the surrounding teeth are expected to move during treatment. Our article on can you get Invisalign with missing teeth walks through how this scenario is typically handled and why the order of treatment matters.
Bite issues connected to jaw alignment can also factor into your treatment plan. If TMJ discomfort is part of your situation, it’s worth mentioning during your consultation, and our TMJ treatment page covers how that’s addressed alongside orthodontic care when needed.
Life After Invisalign: Retainers Matter
Once active treatment wraps up, wearing a retainer is essential to keep your teeth from gradually shifting back toward their original position. Most patients wear a retainer full-time for a period after treatment, then transition to nighttime wear long-term. If you also grind your teeth, ask about whether a retainer can double as protection, similar to how our occlusal guards protect teeth from the effects of nighttime grinding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign
How long does Invisalign treatment typically take?
Most mild to moderate cases take 6 to 18 months, though this varies based on the complexity of your alignment or bite issue. Your dentist can give you a more specific estimate during your consultation.
Do I really need to wear my aligners 22 hours a day?
Yes, consistent wear time is one of the most important factors in Invisalign working as planned. Falling short of the recommended hours regularly can extend your treatment timeline or affect your results.
Can teenagers use Invisalign, or is it just for adults?
Both teens and adults can be good candidates for Invisalign, though compliance with wear time is especially important for younger patients, since inconsistent use is more likely to slow progress.
Will Invisalign work for a severe bite problem
Invisalign works well for mild to moderate alignment and bite issues. More severe or complex cases may still be better suited to traditional braces or a combination approach, which your dentist can help determine.
Does insurance cover Invisalign the same way it covers braces?
Many dental insurance plans that cover orthodontic treatment cover Invisalign similarly to traditional braces, though coverage varies by plan. Our team can help you review your specific benefits.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign is an effective orthodontic treatment that can address mild to moderate alignment and bite issues.
To learn if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign in Raleigh, you can see Dr. Daiana Atari for a short consultation.
Request a visit to Smileplicity Dentistry online and come discover if these clear aligners can help you get a straight and stunning smile!
For more information, call us at (919) 298-2308 today or book an appointment online.
