Traditional braces use a system of brackets and wires to gently straighten crooked teeth. To accomplish this, the brackets have to be bonded to each tooth and connected with an arch wire. This bonding process enables your dentist to apply pressure to your teeth by adjusting the wire that connects the brackets. With Invisalign® aligners, however, there are no brackets to bond to your teeth. In fact, the aligners are designed specifically to fit comfortably over your teeth, enabling you to switch them out for the next in the series after a couple of weeks.
In addition to the lack of brackets, the fact that Invisalign® doesn’t require the use of arch wires means they’re also significantly more comfortable than traditional braces. Every aligner is designed as a single appliance that fits over your teeth, with no additional apparatus (like wires) that could push against or scrape your sensitive, soft oral tissues.
Because they don’t have brackets or wires, progressing through your Invisalign® treatment is more convenient than it is with traditional braces. Instead of routine tightening appointments to maintain pressure on the arch wire, progressing through Invisalign’s aligners simply requires changing out your current pair for the next ones in the series. Regular visits to your dentist will still be necessary throughout your treatment, but they’ll be less frequent than they would need to be with metal braces.
Also, you don’t have to wait until it’s time to change your aligners before you can remove them. Every day, you can temporarily take them off, allowing you to eat your favorite foods, brush and floss your teeth, and more with much greater ease. This not only makes your treatment more convenient, but also helps you keep your smile healthy and lower your risks of developing issues like tooth decay or gum disease.
With Invisalign® clear aligners, you can enjoy several important advantages when straightening your teeth. For more information, schedule an appointment with us by calling Allen & Neumann Family Dentistry in Pella, IA, today at (641) 628-1121.
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