What Are The Pros And Cons Of Clear Aligners?

Pros of Invisalign

There are several advantages to getting Invisalign instead of opting for traditional metallic braces. Here are some pros of the clear set of aligners:

• Comfort: Invisalign is much more comfortable to wear, physically. Since there are no wires or braces in your mouth, you don’t have to worry about getting any unpleasant nicks or cuttings. They’re smooth and are not going to irritate your ears. Compared to a mouthguard, the aligners lack any sharp edges.

• More Attractive: Since Invisalign is transparent it does not leave you with a metal-filled mouth. You are more appealing to the eye, in other words, and most people will not even know you’re wearing them. Which means you should feel free to smile and need not feel too self-conscious.

• Convenience: Invisalign has become a norm for straightening the teeth, meaning you don’t have to deal with metal braces. That makes them very convenient, especially since they are widely available.

• Can be Removed: Invisalign aligners for feeding, brushing your teeth and flossing can be hidden. That’s something that braces can not do. It enables you to eat foods you want and practice better oral hygiene, which helps to reduce your risk of developing gum disease while you are going through the process of straightening your teeth. You won’t have to worry about getting stuck in food particles, which occurs with conventional braces.

• Minimal Maintenance: Invisalign aligners require minimal maintenance. When you wear them, they can get dingy with time but you can freshen them by using a dipped toothbrush in a small amount of bleach and water. Scrubbing them up for a minute will eliminate any stains. You just have to do that each other day.

Cons of Invisalign

Unfortunately, there are also some disadvantages to Invisalign. Here are the cons of the clear plastic aligners:

• Expensive: One of Invisalign’s greatest drawbacks is its being costly. They’re not protected by dental insurance, so you can expect to pay for them anywhere from $3,500 to $8,000. In other words, if you’re on a tight budget, are strapped for cash, or don’t want to make a withdrawal from the college savings plan for your child, you might want to reconsider getting Invisalign.

• Attachments: More and more accessories have become normal to go with Invisalign. Typically, the attachments are enamel ridges that adhere to your teeth in a manner similar to brackets which are included with regular braces. The adapters are used to press into the aligners so they fit better and can move the teeth more easily to the correct position. Attachments also make Invisalign much more visible, which can mean that you look more like you’re actually wearing braces.

• Required to Wear Them 22 Hours Per Day: A minimum of 22 hours a day must be worn at Invisalign. You should only remove them typically on eating and practicing daily oral hygiene. Which means you’ll have to wear them when you’re heading out for a date or going to a party.

• Tooth Discomfort: It can be frustrating and even painful to get fresh Invisalign aligner trays when you’re fitted to a new set. Although most likely the orthodontist refers to the feeling as “pressure,” it can be painful as your teeth adjust to a new set of aligners. To deal with this discomfort, you may want to use a pain reliever as your teeth adapt to your Invisalign.

• Inconvenience: Invisalign alignments are extremely cumbersome. You always have to remove them for eating, which means when you go out to eat you may be dealing with some embarrassment. After each meal, you are also expected to brush your teeth before putting them back in your mouth, which means you will be brushing your teeth multiple times a day, which may be inconvenient.