Four Things To Know Before Choosing Invisalign Braces

Maybe you’re hearing for the first time that you were supposed to have braces as a child, and your parents decided against them. Or maybe you pushed against braces yourself, despite the recommendation of your orthodontist. Chances are that if you were supposed to get braces as a child and skipped them, you still need them as an adult. Perhaps, you need them now more than ever. Either way, you aren’t alone. A lot of people need braces, and many find themselves getting the braces they’ve always needed in adulthood. As embarrassing as braces may seem for children, some adults may have the same feeling about metal braces. But for all of their issues, braces are necessary, not only for your physical health but also for your professional and emotional wellbeing. While it might be difficult to be taken seriously when wearing metal braces, a bad smile can have real negative effects on your personal and professional prospects. This is why Invisalign has taken off in recent years. These clear aligners allow people all the benefits of traditional braces, without the obvious appearance. But of course, it’s not enough to know the basics about Invisalign braces before deciding about whether or not to invest in them. That’s why we’re looking at what you should know about them ahead of time.

1. Invisalign Braces Work Just Like Traditional Braces

At first, it might seem impossible that Invisalign braces would have the same effects as traditional braces. After all, they look so different. But functionally, they have much of the same effect. You will not be missing out or receiving a lesser treatment for the sake of aesthetic appearances if you choose Invisalign braces. However, there may be a slight increase in price for Invisalign braces since it requires a certain type of technology to print the aligners as needed for your treatment plan. For many, that uptick in cost, which isn’t unreasonable, is very much worth it.

2. You’ll Have to Adjust Your Eating Habits

While using Invisalign braces means that you don’t have to worry about the same aesthetic issues that you do with traditional braces, you’ll still need to adjust your eating habits. With traditional braces, you often need to worry about sticky or chewy foods getting stuck in your braces. Even pasta can be a problem in this respect. With Invisalign braces, the issue is different. Invisalign braces can be removed, and they must be removed when you’re eating so that food doesn’t get stuck to them, or cause damage or staining. With that being said, as long as you wear the braces for about 22 to 23 hours a day, this shouldn’t be a problem. The bigger concern with Invisalign is staying compliant with your orthodontist’s directions on how to wear them. If they are not worn for a certain amount of time each day, your treatment plan could be slowed down.

3. You Must Maintain Your Invisalign Braces

While you’ll need to visit an orthodontic specialist regularly to have traditional braces adjusted, there are certain aspects to maintaining clear braces on your own. As these braces are clear and more encasing than traditional braces, staining is particularly noticeable on them. Therefore, you’ll want to brush your Invisalign braces every day, just as you would brush your own teeth. However, this brushing should be done with your Invisalign braces being taken off the teeth for the process; this also gives you time to properly brush your teeth.

4. Ask About Financing For Your Braces

If these types of braces seem perfect for you but less than perfect for your budget, there are often options available. First, you should see how much your insurance company will cover. After that, you should discuss financing options with our orthodontist. There may be options that will make your payments more feasible. Ultimately, the benefits of Invisalign braces are undeniable. The question is really whether or not you’ll take the jump and get them!