Once your dentist tells you that you are going to need an orthodontic treatment, you might start to panic. Do you have to wear those ugly metal braces? Don’t jump to this conclusion. There are many different treatment options out there for orthodontics. One of them is Invisalign and we offer it to lots of our patients. Some patients prefer metal braces. Whichever you decided to choose, we can help you find the perfect orthodontic solution to suit your needs. Keep reading to find out if Invisalign or braces in Overland Park are right for you.
Is Comfort Important to You?
When decided if Invisalign or braces are right for you, one of the factors you should consider is comfort. When it comes to comfort, there is a large difference between Invisalign and metal braces. For example, with traditional braces, there is going to be sharp metal and wires glued to your teeth, leaving lots of room for your tongue, lips, and cheeks to be cut. With Invisalign treatment, patients should not feel any discomfort with the Invisalign aligners. Invisalign is made of a clear and thin plastic that fits over your teeth perfectly. The smooth plastic won’t dig into your cheeks or lips, therefore being a bit more comfortable than traditional braces alone.
Your Pain Level
When it comes to orthodontic treatment, it’s going to be painful regardless of which treatment option you choose. However, Invisalign tends to be less painful than traditional braces. This is because every 2 weeks you will switch out your aligners for different ones, gradually moving your teeth. While with braces, you visit the orthodontist every 6 weeks for a huge tightening all at once. Tightening your braces tends to be more painful and can leave your mouth sore for a few days. After switching Invisalign aligners, you might notice a slight discomfort for a day or so, but then the pain subsides. If you are looking for a less painful option, Invisalign in Overland Park might be your best bet.
Convenience
One of the top reasons our patients love Invisalign aligners if for their convenience. There are no food restrictions while you use Invisalign aligners because you remove them every time you eat. You may have seen the large list of food that people with braces must avoid and it can steer you away especially if some of your favorite foods are on there. With traditional braces, you must avoid certain foods during treatment; otherwise, you might break a bracket which would force you to visit your orthodontist to have it fixed.
Speaking of visits to the dentist, with Invisalign, you only need to visit your dentist every 6 weeks to check the progression of your treatment. It’s more common to visit the dentist more often with braces because the brackets are likely to break or have a wire poke you. If you like the convenience and saving time, Invisalign treatment from KC Smile might be your best option.
Aesthetics
If aesthetics are important to you, you most likely aren’t interested in wearing a mouth full of metal for one to two years. There is a stigma attached to braces that associate it with children or teens which can be a problem for an adult seeking orthodontic treatment. With Invisalign, your treatment is completely invisible and most people won’t even know you have aligners in. You can also remove them for special occasions or for photos you need to have taken.
Dental Hygiene
One factor many patients at KC Smile don’t consider is how orthodontic treatment can affect your dental hygiene. For example, with traditional braces, brushing and flossing effectively will become more difficult because brackets and wires are in your way. You will need to use a floss threader or special floss in order to go between the wires. You may find that the brackets trap food and that it’s hard to clean your teeth effectively. We recommend patients with metal braces use an electric toothbrush for best results. It’s also important to visit your hygienist every 6 months for a cleaning to make sure none of your teeth have been neglected during the treatment.
Invisalign however, allows you to brush and floss normally, giving you complete control over your dental hygiene. To visit your hygienist, you simply just need to remove your aligners while with Invisalign, you would need to have your wire removed beforehand and then return to have it put back on afterward.
Cost
One of the top reasons patients don’t consider Invisalign is because they think the cost will be too much. This is not true. The cost of Invisalign is actually similar to metal braces. We find that it may be a little bit more. Speak with us about your concerns and we will see how much your dental insurance is willing to cover for your Invisalign treatment and compare it to the cost of braces. When you think about it, all of the benefits associated with Invisalign might make the extra cost worth it.
Same Results
Many people are concerned that Invisalign can’t provide the same results as braces, but it actually can! Your dentist has an end goal for what your teeth should look like and uses the force of Invisalign aligners to accomplish it instead of brackets and wires. If your dental problems can be solved with braces, they can be solved with Invisalign.
Choosing Between Braces and Invisalign
After reading the above, you can now consider all of the factors that go into choosing Invisalign or braces. Do you care about your personal comfort, pain, and aesthetics? Do you enjoy eating whatever you want? If the above helped you decide that Invisalign is the right decision for you, pick up your phone and give us at a call at out Overland Park dental office. You can also reach us by filling out our online contact form. Schedule your Invisalign consultation today so we can begin your treatment to transform your smile.
