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Pros and Cons of Invisalign® Braces

Invisalign Dentist in Wyoming, MI

Wish you had straighter teeth, but don’t want to wear traditional metal braces? Invisalign® may be the solution!

Invisalign are nearly invisible aligners that can straighten your teeth in as little as 12 to 18 months. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of using Invisalign to achieve a straighter, healthier smile.

Pros of Invisalign

  • Aligners are nearly invisible
  • No metal on your teeth
  • Removable
  • Straighten teeth in as little as 12 to 18 months
  • Eat an unrestricted diet

There are many advantages to choosing Invisalign over traditional metal braces. For example, many of our patients appreciate that Invisalign braces are subtle enough to go unnoticed by friends, family, and coworkers.

If you think you would feel self-conscious with metal on your teeth, ask our dentists if you’re a candidate for Invisalign treatment. It’s never too late to get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Another benefit to wearing Invisalign is that it’s removable. That way, you can continue eating your favorite foods during treatment. Unlike with metal braces, you’ll be able to eat foods that are sticky or otherwise hard to chew without the fear of ruining one of your brackets.

Cons of Invisalign

  • You must wear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day
  • Invisalign exerts pressure on teeth
  • You may need attachments

One of the drawbacks to Invisalign is that you must wear the nearly invisible aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that you’ll only be able to take out your clear aligners to eat and brush your teeth. After you eat, you’ll also need to brush your teeth so you don’t stain your Invisalign clear aligners. Since Invisalign only works when the aligners are worn consistently, it’s important that patients have the willpower to complete their treatment as directed by our dentists.

Depending on the complexity of your case, you may also need SmartForce® attachments on your teeth so the aligners have something to push against. In general, you won’t need these attachments if you only have to straighten a few front teeth. However, it’s important that you request a consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists so you have a better idea of what to expect.

Invisalign works by exerting pressure on your teeth to move. This means that you’ll feel slight discomfort during the first few days of wearing new aligners. However, many of our patients feel that the temporary discomfort is worth having a beautifully straight smile.

Learn More About Invisalign

Still have questions about Invisalign? Our Wyoming, MI, Invisalign dentists will be able to determine if you’re a candidate for clear aligners. We’re more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

We understand that Invisalign can be a big decision. Still, we believe that straightening teeth helps improve your oral health in addition to your self-esteem. Consulting with one of our dentists can help you determine if Invisalign is the right fit for you. Call Family Dentistry at (616) 534-5602, or contact us online to request an appointment.

This blog post has been updated.