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What are the Pros and Cons With Invisalign?

If you have crooked teeth or simply don’t think they’re straight enough, your dentist might suggest braces. Traditional braces might not be appealing to most people, but they’re not going to be your only option. Invisalign continues to grow in popularity as an effective way to straighten teeth -- without everyone noticing.

Before jumping to a decision, you’ll want to research your options and consult with your dentist on the best solution. When you make an informed decision, you’ll put yourself in the best position to receive the smile you’ve been dreaming of.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign works similarly to metal braces, but they will relieve many of the issues people have with traditional braces. They are clear plastic aligners that put pressure on certain areas of your teeth. As a result, they will gradually move your teeth into the correct position over time.

These aligners will resemble an invisible mouthguard that is made unique to your teeth. They are custom made by Invisalign and allow you the benefits of braces without completely changing your teeth’s appearance.

You’ll go through a treatment plan set by your dentist and will still have several follow-ups to ensure your aligner is working properly. You’ll change aligners every two weeks, each one working differently to move your teeth.

Pros vs. Cons

Much like any treatment your dentist will suggest, there will be several pros and cons that you will need to consider. Taking everything into account will allow you to make the best decision for you and your overall health.

Here are some of the pros involved when choosing Invisalign as your solution:

• More comfortable than traditional braces
• Fewer dentist visits are needed
• Since they’re invisible, they’re tough to notice
• They are removable
• Backed by proven results
• Faster results and easier to maintain

Let’s also take a look at some of the cons involved with Invisalign:

• Can be more expensive than traditional braces
• Normally need to wear them 20-22 hours of the day
• Overall treatment time will vary depending on the dentist’s plan
• Not always the best solution for those with severely crooked teeth
• Possibility of losing the aligner
• Still will require a retainer to maintain results

While there will be cons when selecting Invisalign, the pros will normally outweigh them for most people. If your dentist approves them for you and they’re in your budget, you should definitely consider them for your treatment.

What are the Alternatives?

If Invisalign doesn’t seem like the best option for you and you want to consider other options outside of traditional braces, you can always look at lingual braces. These are essentially traditional braces that are placed on the back of your teeth. They won’t be seen when you smile, but will contain the metal wires.

You can also check out Smile Direct Club, but this is only if recommended by a dentist. It’ll be the cheapest option, but is more of an at-home solution. Most people that choose this will be neglecting a professional’s opinion.

If you’re struggling to figure out which option is best for your teeth -- both in the short term and long term -- you can give us a call at Great Neck Family Dentistry.