Over the last decade, Invisalign braces have become more and more popular. But for parents who remember having traditional braces, they may have a lot of questions about Invisalign when thinking about what is best for their children. Here are a few factors to consider when talking to your dentist or orthodontist about Invisalign Braces.
What’s The Difference Between Invisalign & Traditional Braces?
Invisalign has many benefits compared to traditional braces. Both methods are commonly used to straighten teeth. Teeth straightening can be done for aesthetic reasons or to improve bite alignment to decrease symptoms like jaw strain and migraines. Traditional metal braces are not removable like Invisalign is. This makes brushing and flossing more difficult and also causes issues requiring teens and adults to follow strict dietary restrictions to prevent damaging the braces. Metal braces require frequent visits to an orthodontist for tightening and can also hurt the inside of the mouth if broken. Invisalign braces are removable allowing patients to eat whatever they please and brush & floss the way they did prior to getting braces.
Are Invisalign Braces More Expensive?
Costs for orthodontic treatments vary from patient to patient based on the complexity of treatment. The longer you need metal braces or Invisalign will affect how many visits you need to make with your dentist or orthodontist, and will affect pricing. Generally Invisalign braces are slightly more expensive than traditional metal braces, but many families opt for Invisalign because of the variety of benefits. In fact, Invisalign can decrease how often you need to visit your dentist or orthodontist. Plus, metal braces sometimes require patients to set up emergency visits to fix and repair broken braces which can add to their cost.
Do Invisalign Braces Take Longer to Straighten Teeth?
On average, Invisalign braces work faster than traditional metal braces. However, the time needed for the treatment is dependent on how drastic the change will need to be. Solving a simple cap between teeth can be completed in a few short months. But on average Invisalign braces take about a year. One interesting fact about both metal braces and Invisalign is how proper brushing and flossing habits actually improves how quickly teeth can move.
Does Invisalign Work For Teens?
Invisalign braces can be used for adults and teenagers. Generally it is recommended by most orthodontists and dentists to begin treatment after all of the adult teeth have erupted through the gums. The best way to find out if Invisalign is right for you or your teen is to ask your dentist. They can either perform an evaluation or refer you to another practice that can.
Will I Need a Retainer After Invisalign?
Yes just like with normal braces, a retainer is necessary for keeping your teeth in place after treatment is completed. Unlike Invisalign, retainers are just used for nightly use to keep teeth straightened.
Schedule An Invisalign Appointment in Lewiston
If you live in the Lewiston Maine area and want to talk to a dentist about Invisalign for yourself or someone in your family, we would be happy to set up an appointment with you. Simply give us a call or fill out our new patient contact form to get started.
