Do Invisible Braces Work? What Clear Aligners Can Fix
The short answer.
Yes, for many cases. Clear aligners such as Invisalign move teeth gradually, with a new set of custom trays every two weeks, and can treat overbites, underbites, crossbites and gaps. Your dentist checks whether they suit you.
If you are considering getting invisible braces, then you may know they are a great alternative to traditional metal braces. But the question is, do invisible braces work?
Traditional metal brackets have been around for decades. However, more patients are opting for removable invisible braces because of their transparency and comfort. Invisible braces use customised clear aligners to give you a straight and improved smile while allowing you to maintain your oral health.
What are invisible braces?
Invisible braces are clear aligners: a series of removable, custom-made plastic trays that gradually move your teeth into position, instead of brackets and wires.
Do Invisible Braces Work?
We provide Invisalign invisible braces at the Dental Spot, which involves wearing a new set of clear aligners every two weeks. First, your mouth and bite are scanned digitally to create a series of custom trays. Each set of trays is designed to target a specific tooth or area of the mouth, improving your smile over time. Gradually, your teeth are moved into alignment with gentle pressure.
Invisalign technology was founded in 1997 (another site), providing a digital-led system for straightening teeth more discreetly. The clear aligners are made of SmartTrack material that fits your teeth snugly, comfortably and applies gentle yet constant force. You may also receive Smart Force attachments (another site) that are small, invisible components fitted to your teeth to secure the trays.
Various cases that can be treated with Invisalign or invisible braces include:
- Overbite: The upper front teeth extend far beyond the bottom front teeth.
- Underbite: The lower teeth overlap or partially cover the upper teeth when biting down.
- Crossbite: The upper and lower teeth do not come together in the correct position in the mouth. The upper teeth may fit inside the lower teeth, affecting the alignment of your teeth.
- Gapped teeth: Extra spaces may exist between any two teeth.
- Open bite: The upper or lower teeth don’t touch.
- Crowded teeth: The teeth may overlap or be pushed to the front or back if they don’t fit properly in your jaw.
- Straighter Teeth: If you want straighter teeth to improve your smile, your dentist may recommend invisible braces.
If you have a severe overbite or crossbite, you may need more complex orthodontic treatments such as jaw realignment surgery. Invisalign has limits on how far it can move teeth, so a large overbite or wide gaps may need another form of treatment; your dentist will tell you if that applies to you.
Advantages of Invisible Braces
Invisible braces offer plenty of benefits that make them a great alternative to traditional orthodontic treatments.
- They’re discreet: For adults, particularly, the subtlety of Invisalign clear aligners is a crucial reason this treatment option is so appealing. Choosing invisible braces can help adults and adolescents avoid feelings of self-consciousness that are often experienced with traditional orthodontia.
- They are more comfortable than traditional braces: Clear aligners are more comfortable than conventional braces, providing all-around force on the teeth for gentle movement. The metal brackets and wires of traditional braces can create sores on the inside of your lips and cheeks, while the smooth plastic of custom aligners ensures this doesn’t happen.
- They allow you to see results more quickly: Invisible braces like Invisalign custom trays enable you to achieve your desired results more quickly, depending on the severity of the malocclusion. It typically takes less than two years to complete Invisalign treatment (another site), and for minor alignment adjustments, you may see results in just six months. In contrast, conventional braces must be worn for an average of 18 to 36 (another site) months, depending on the type of bite or alignment issue that needs treatment.
- They don’t require dietary or oral hygiene changes: Unlike traditional braces, using clear aligners to straighten teeth requires minimal adjustment to your lifestyle. Because you can remove the custom trays when eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth, there’s no need to alter your diet or hygiene habits.
However, it’s essential to clean the trays regularly using a specially designed cleaner like Steraligner or a homemade solution of white vinegar and water. Maintaining your custom trays protects your overall oral health throughout the alignment process.
Although they offer more convenience, you may wonder, do invisible braces work for everyone? The effectiveness of Invisalign treatment depends on the type of misalignment you are attempting to correct.
Invisible Braces and Your Oral Health
Many people think that the purpose of orthodontic treatment is to improve the look of teeth cosmetically, but investing in conventional or invisible braces can also better your oral health in the long term.
Correcting bite and alignment issues using Invisalign often makes it easier to floss and brush your teeth efficiently, reducing your chances of tooth decay due to trapped food particles and plaque buildup.
Invisalign: clear aligners used to straighten teeth. This product is not available for purchase by the general public.
This guide is general information, not advice about your own teeth. Your dentist can tell you what applies to you, including the risks of any treatment.
