Health

Invisalign: Purpose, Effectiveness, Advantages and Disadvantages

Would you rather have braces on your teeth or transparent aligners?

You’re not alone if your response is clear aligners. Clear aligners have risen in popularity as a method of straightening or realigning your teeth over the last few decades.

Invisalign, which was brought to the market by Align Technology in 1998, is perhaps the oldest and most well-known clear aligner device. More transparent aligners from different companies have since entered the market.

Invisalign refers to a thin transparent aligner used in orthodontic treatment. The aligner is built of SmartTrack, a flexible thermoplastic polymer.

As the name implies, it is intended to make orthodontic treatment less visible. Although Invisalign aligners are not entirely invisible, these transparent covers fit securely over your teeth and are significantly less apparent than conventional braces’ brackets and wires.

This post will look at what Invisalign can accomplish, how successful it is, and the product’s advantages and downsides.

What kinds of dental problems can Invisalign address?

You can use Invisalign to treat a range of issues, including crowding and spacing concerns, as well as mild to moderate biting abnormalities.

According to the Invisalign website, it can be used to address the following dental issues:

  • overbite, underbite, and crossbite problems
  • teeth with an open bite gap
  • crowded teeth

While research is relatively limited, it appears that Invisalign may be more successful for some conditions than others.

What is the effectiveness of these aligners?

You may have friends who have had positive results with Invisalign, but it’s crucial to look beyond that.

Some studies show that Invisalign is more successful than other transparent aligners. And the latest versions, which the company began creating in 2010, appear to have improved Invisalign’s efficacy by enhancing the distribution of force to the wearer’s teeth.

For Invisalign to operate properly, the aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily. You should only take your aligners out when you’re drinking or eating, brushing or flossing your teeth, or cleaning your aligners.

When cleaning your aligners, you must be cautious. If you use excessively hot water, the plastic may deform. This can impair your progress and the efficacy of the aligners by changing the fit.

Other orthodontic complications may also influence how effectively Invisalign works for you. For example, if you have more complex spacing or biting concerns, this treatment may take longer to work.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Let’s look at the pros and disadvantages of Invisalign to help you decide whether this treatment option is best for you.

The advantages of Invisalign:

  • Aesthetics. This is a frequently touted reason for using Invisalign. These clear aligners are far less apparent than brace wires and brackets.
  • Easily removable. If necessary, you can manually remove the aligner from your mouth.
  • Cleaning your teeth is made easier. You may brush and floss your teeth without needing to work around wires and brackets if you remove the aligner.
  • Lesser risks. Many people who have conventional braces have tales of a bracket falling off or a wire breaking, necessitating an emergency visit to the orthodontist. With transparent aligners, you won’t have to worry about it.

The disadvantage of Invisalign:

  • Requires dedication. To get the most out of Invisalign, you should wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. If you are easily tempted to remove them frequently, this may not be your ideal option.
  • Needs to be removed when eating or drinking. Otherwise, food or drink can get into them if you don’t. Bacteria develop around your teeth or gumline, which leads to cavities. Also, fluids can soak down into them and discolour the aligners as well as your teeth.
  • Food restrictions. When the aligner is removed, you may have tooth discomfort, restricting your eating options. Hard meals, in particular, should be avoided.