What are Invisible Aligners, Are they worth it? And what are the alternatives?

Not too long ago, removable aligners – also known as clear braces or invisible teeth straightening – were introduced to the market for correcting crooked and misaligned teeth. And if you search for “invisible aligners” on Google, you will find that lots of companies are trying to convince you that their product is the best alternative to standard metal braces. But how can it be? Aligners bend your teeth in an attempt to align them. Would it not look weird if they did not extend outside your mouth? Well, let’s take a closer look at this often misunderstood concept so we can answer these questions!

Let us assume for argument purposes only that Invisible Aligners work just like traditional braces do. Now there are two types of Invisible Aligners: removable and bonded. The removable type are the ones that are often advertised on TV and the internet. They consist of a series of clear aligners that you wear for about two weeks before switching to the next one in the sequence. The idea behind them is that they gently move your teeth over time – usually six months to a year – until they are perfectly aligned.

The second type, the bonded invisible aligners, are slightly different. They work similarly to traditional braces in that they are cemented onto your teeth and cannot be removed. However, they are much less noticeable than metal braces because they are made from clear plastic.

Both types of Invisible Aligners have their pros and cons, which we will discuss in more detail below.

First, let’s take a look at the pros of removable Invisible Aligners.

PROS:

– They are discreet and almost invisible when worn.

– They are comfortable to wear and do not cause any irritation or pain.

– They are easy to remove for eating and brushing your teeth.

– You can still drink water and eat most foods while wearing them.

– They are relatively affordable, costing between $1,000 and $2,500 depending on the brand.

Now let’s take a look at the cons of removable Invisible Aligners:

CONS:

– You have to wear them for 22 hours per day to get the best results.

– They can often be misplaced or lost.

– You have to visit your dentist every 4-6 weeks to get new aligners.

– They do not work for everyone and are not suitable for severe cases of misaligned teeth.

So, are Invisible Aligners worth it? The answer depends on a number of factors, including how severely misaligned your teeth are and whether you are willing to wear them for 22 hours per day. If you are only mildly misaligned, then removable Invisible Aligners may be the best option for you. However, if you have more severe alignment problems, then traditional metal braces may be a better choice And finally, if you don’t want to worry about wearing your aligners for 22 hours per day, then bonded invisible aligners are definitely the way to go.

Now that you know more about Invisible Aligners and how they work, you can make a decision as to whether or not they are right for you! As always, feel free to comment below or call the office with any questions you may have.

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