You’d be surprised how many patients are looking to improve their smiles over the age of 40. Your smile is something you should feel confident flashing. However, many people live with less than perfect smiles because they don’t realize affordable, manageable treatments are available. If you’ve lived a life longing for a perfect smile, it’s never too late to explore the possibilities. In fact, if straightening your teeth has always been a dream, but you felt braces were just for kids, Invisalign could be the answer. These handy aligners help you get the smile you desire with a practically invisible treatment. It’s never too late to enjoy a perfect smile with Invisalign to help you get there. Here are the most common objections to adult orthodontic treatments and why Invisalign provides the best solution.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a tooth straightening treatment that uses a series of “aligners” to ease your teeth into the ideal position. While they achieve the same results as traditional wire braces, the similarities end there. Invisalign uses clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth. A series of images are created of your current teeth and the desired position you would like to target. You are fitted for your trays and then take them home. You switch them up every few weeks to help your teeth reach the perfect position. They are invisible and removable, allowing you to eat, brush and floss easily. The number of trays required, and how long treatment takes depends on the current condition of your teeth.
Why a trained orthodontist would do a better job with Invisalign?
These days we notice that all dentists are doing Invisalign. Then should you wonder why you need an orthodontist or a specialist to handle your Invisalign? Sure, you do. Invisalign uses advanced technology combining orthodontic principles and digital technology to move your teeth. The first aligner represents the position of your teeth before you start the treatment. A full comprehensive treatment would use about 60 to 70 aligners, each representing a shape that is slightly closer to the final desired position of your teeth. So every aligner does that small amount of teeth movement. The Invisalign technology does help general dentists with limited orthodontic knowledge with certain recommended movements. So generally, a general dentist would only take up orthodontic cases with mild to less moderate severity. More moderate to complex cases are better handled by a trained specialist or an orthodontist who would refine the recommended movement suggested by Invisalign technology using their knowledge and skill. Aligner movements are not designed properly or optimally, based on the individual requirements, it could result in root resorption or undesired final outcome. We always recommend moderate to severe orthodontic cases be treated by an orthodontist, even when using Invisalign.
I’ll Look Silly with Braces
As mentioned, many people over 40 or even 30 feel the ship has sailed when it comes to getting orthodontic treatments. While braces might feel a little embarrassing as you age, the truth is even traditional braces can help you achieve the straight teeth you’ve always wanted. However, the beauty of Invisalign is that they provide a practically invisible teeth straightening treatment that allows you to achieve your smile goals.
Treatment is Too Long
Many patients feel teeth straightening treatments take years. However, Invisalign can help you achieve a perfect smile in as little as 10 weeks. While this is a little quicker than what most will see, you can expect results in under 18 months to a year.
I Don’t Think Invisalign Can Fix My Issue
You’d be surprised how many issues Invisalign can treat, including:
- Crooked Teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Gaps Between the Teeth
- Open Bite
- Crowded Teeth
The cases where Invisalign is not recommended include:
- Existing dental work such as bridges
- Misshapen teeth
- Rotated teeth
- Gaps over 6mm
However, we can recommend other cosmetic treatments to help correct these issues.
I’m Too Old For It To Work
Another common myth is that at a certain age, orthodontic treatments no longer work. However, people of all ages enjoy the benefits of braces and Invisalign. Because braces and Invisalign use pressure to make changes, it works for any age. Slowly your teeth will be directed to the ideal position to create a winning smile.
My Granddaughter Didn’t See Great Results with Invisalign
Well, this may not because Invisalign doesn’t work. It’s could be because your granddaughter probably didn’t comply or adhere to treatment recommendations. In order for the trays to do their job, they must be worn at least 22 hours a day. A problem for younger people using Invisalign is that they tend to be less committed to treatment. They tend to lose their trays and are far too tempted to take them out and leave them out for longer. However, adults are far more compliant and tend to see far better results, sooner.
I Hear Invisalign is Expensive
At Bristol Dental Clinic, we do not charge a premium for Invisalign. Traditionally, Invisalign is more expensive than traditional braces. However, it is easy to develop a plan that will work for you. Perhaps more importantly, when you straighten your teeth, you reduce the risk for dental issues. Because you create a straighter smile, issues with decay due to overlaps and overcrowding, as well as gaps where food can get caught, can be avoided. So, Invisalign can be looked at as an investment that will reduce dental treatments’ costs down the road.
I Hear Orthodontic Treatments are Painful
While this is true, Invisalign is not as painful as braces. In fact, it is easier to get used to Invisalign as you can switch to new trays at night, take an over the counter pain killer and sleep while your teeth adjust to the new fit.
I’m Still Not Convinced
If you still have doubts, here are some more considerations:
- You will feel empowered with the confidence of a new smile
- You will look younger with perfectly aligned teeth
- Your oral health will improve because it becomes easier to brush and floss with straight teeth
- You can reduce pain caused by a misaligned bite or jaw
- You can avoid more complicated dental issues caused from decay due to overlaps, crowding and gaps
If you know deep down that a perfect smile would make you happy, it is worth looking into Invisalign treatment. Our team can assess your situation and make recommendations to help create the smile you’ve always wanted.
If you would like more information on Invisalign treatment in Mississauga, please speak to the Bristol Dental team by calling 905-712-3409.
[…] position. While both improve alignment and oral health, more and more people are discovering the benefits of using Invisalign instead of traditional braces […]