The trouble with most corrective braces assigned by your dentist is that they aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. They get them job done, certainly, but all of that metal is also obvious so everyone around you is going to know immediately that you’re wearing braces. If you’d rather keep this information to yourself, there are solutions from your dentist that can get your teeth into the right alignment without announcing what you’re doing to the world every time you open your mouth.
An example of one of these solutions is called Invisalign. Here are a few frequently asked questions about the technology.
What Exactly Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a technology that’s made of a new material called thermoplastics. These teeth aligners are custom made specifically for your teeth in order to align them exactly where your dentist says they should be. They are completely see-through and virtually invisible when you put them on, so no one will even know about them unless you tell them.
What Are Some of the Advantages to Using Invisalign?
Besides being undetectable when you wear them, Invisalign also has a number of other benefits including the fact that you can actually remove them if you need to do so. This is something that is not true when your dentist gives you braces, since they have to be fixed to your teeth long-term until they are removed. It’s important to note that you’ll still need to wear them at least 20 hours per day in order for them to work, however. But, the benefit here is that you can take them out when you need to eat or brush your teeth.
What’s the Cost?
Many different factors govern how many this costs, including your insurance and how extensive an alignment you need. Generally speaking though, Invisalign will cost somewhere between a few thousand dollars and as high as 8 thousand.
Are There Any Downsides to Invisalign?
The whole philosophy behind this technology is to be as invisible and non-intrusive in your life as possible. The only main things you won’t be able to do anymore include chewing gum with the aligners in, or smoking. Your dentist will recommend that you remove the aligners any time you eat a meal or get a snack. It will be necessary to clean them whenever you do otherwise, because it’s important that sugar doesn’t get trapped between the aligners and your teeth.
Overall, it’s important to check with your dentist to learn more about whether this could help you personally. In many cases, it’s an effective way to get the alignment you need without getting in the way of your life.
