You’ve always felt self-conscious of your teeth and how your smile looks. Maybe you’ve got a prominent gap or your teeth are crowded or crooked, and you are aware of it every time you smile, talk, or laugh, especially when you’re at work, a social gathering, or meeting someone new. You feel that as an adult, the opportunity to get straight teeth has passed by – after all, how many adults get braces?
Just because you’re 25, 45, or even 65, you don’t have to struggle with uneven or crooked teeth anymore, but that doesn’t mean your only option is uncomfortable, unattractive metal braces. In fact, over 8 million adults have chosen Invisalign® clear aligners to get the attractive, even smile they want. If you’re wanting to improve your smile but unsure if it’s right for you, our Cary dentist wanted to take the opportunity to break down why more adults choose Invisalign®.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Invisalign® are clear dental aligners that are made from a transparent, flexible, plastic that fit over your teeth and gradually shift them into the desired position over several months. Your dentist will take a series of 3d images of your teeth, and using the images of the current placement and position of your teeth, the design and manufacturing team at Invisalign® will create a series of custom made aligners. Each set is only worn for a short period of time, then a new set is used to gradually shift teeth into the desired shape and position.
Dental Issues Invisalign® Can and Can’t Fix
Clear aligners can fix several cosmetic issues including:
- Crooked teeth
- A mild overbite (the top teeth rest far ahead of the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed) or underbite (the bottom teeth are ahead of the top teeth)
- Gapped teeth;
- Overcrowding and overlapping;
Other issues may not respond to Invisalign® and will require a different type of treatment. This includes:
- Heavily tilted or rotated teeth when crowding is severe;
- Short, pegged teeth or teeth with sharper tips or points may not allow the aligner to grip the teeth properly;
- Intrusions or extrusions
- Large gaps over 6mm
Your cosmetic dentist will sit down with you to discuss whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign® during your consultation.
Benefits of Clear Dental Aligners for Adults
While traditional braces are uncomfortable, obvious, and unattractive, clear dental aligners aren’t any of those things. Much of their appeal lies in the fact that they are transparent and fit snugly over the teeth so they’re virtually invisible, but even better, they’re comfortable to wear. You may experience a bit of discomfort initially, but there’s no need to have them tightened like traditional braces, they don’t snag or rub like metal, and you can even take them on and off to eat and brush your teeth (though you do want to make sure you wear them for around 21 hours a day).
Additional benefits for adults who choose Invisalign® include:
- Able to effectively brush and floss your teeth;
- Can see results in as little as six months;
- Custom made to get reliable, predictable results;
- No worry about getting food stuck in them;
- Improved confidence;
- Straight teeth can improve your dental health;
Making Invisalign® Affordable
One of the biggest concerns for adults who are considering dental aligners is the cost, and fear of expense often stops people from even taking the first step to see what the options are. First, it’s important to check your insurance coverage, as some dental plans do pay for a portion of the treatment. Also, if your plan includes a tax-free FSA or HSA, you can use that money to pay for the treatment, and of course, you can always call our Holly Springs dental office or Cary location to discuss your options.
Schedule an Appointment With Our Cary Dentists to Discuss Invisalign®
Don’t let your dream of having a beautiful smile pass you by. To schedule an appointment, give our dentist office in Cary a call at (919) 467-2203 or reach out to our Holly Springs dentist office at (919) 600-6262 and you can also use a contact form to request an appointment.