It is known amongst dental professionals that very few patients have a perfectly aligned smile. However, many dentists face an issue when recommending aligners or braces to their patients, as most individuals flatly refuse to undergo the procedure. Of course, there is the aesthetic benefit of having straighter teeth. But there is a secondary reason dentists request that patients have a brace fitted; teeth that are better aligned are easier to clean, and so issues like gum disease are greatly reduced. Many patients don’t want to undertake orthodontic work when requested by a dental professional, as the image of the old fashioned, large metal braces appears in their mind and they decide that a minor issue looks better than having braces fitted. A once impossible impasse has now been resolved. The invention of clear or invisible braces (aligners) has revolutionised orthodontic work and has improved the appearance of over 10,000 smiles each year. 

Benefits of clear braces 

Clear or invisible braces are the perfect solution for minor to moderate dental misalignments. One of the main benefits of using clear braces (aligners) is their combination of being incredibly powerful as a brace while also being practically invisible to the naked eye. But what other benefits do they have? 

Improved hygiene 

One of the downsides of metal or ‘train track’ braces is that many wearers had to change their oral hygiene routine. Having an immovable set of braces can create difficulties with brushing and flossing, making it harder to maintain a high level of dental hygiene. Due to difficulty with plaque build-up and occurrence of cavities, many users of metal braces sometimes have to undergo more dental work than originally thought required. As most invisible braces (aligners) can be removed, the wearer does not have to adapt their dental routine at all, and they can simply put the braces (aligners) back in once they have finished brushing their teeth. 

Predictability 

We have all heard horror stories in the media about orthodontic treatments gone wrong. These are of course exaggerated for the most part but do highlight an issue with the older schools of orthodontics. When fitting and tightening braces, the goal is of course to straighten the teeth. But sometimes, the straighter smile is a bit trickier to attain, causing further dental work and a longer treatment period. Thanks to advancements in computer technology, dentists and orthodontists can scan the inside of your mouth before Invisalign treatment and predict how your teeth will move while you are wearing braces (clear aligners). They can show you how the position of your teeth will change throughout each stage of the realignment, and they will provide you with a set of changeable, clear, plastic aligners to use in succession in order to gently realign your teeth. The final result? A perfectly realigned smile usually with an average treatment time of less than 12 months. Fast and effective! 

If you would like to know more about the benefits of clear or invisible braces, contact your dentist today for more information.