Invisalign Is Discreet Compared to Braces

Invisalign® dental aligners are an excellent option for patients who want to avoid the look and feel of traditional metal braces while straightening crooked teeth or closing gaps between teeth. Compared to braces, most observers do not realize when someone is wearing clear aligners.

Invisalign® works discreetly

For this treatment, dentists take impressions of patients' upper and lower teeth to facilitate making a series of trays that fit securely over the teeth and realign them with additional pressure every two weeks. There are a number of reasons why patients who want to correct their smiles discreetly might choose this approach.

Clear plastic over the teeth

Most braces involve cementing metal or plastic brackets onto teeth surfaces and running wires through them. Although plastic is not as apparent as metal, both materials stand out against the teeth, making them easily detectable. Clear aligner trays conform to each tooth's shape and fit snugly, eliminating the need for the protruding parts that make braces visible.

Removable trays

For many dental patients, the brackets that braces require can be inconvenient or embarrassing and require caution while:

• Brushing and flossing
• Eating and drinking
• Exercising or playing sports

Dental patients who wear Invisalign® aligners can remove the trays to clean the teeth, eat or drink, and engage in physical activities. Removable trays help dental patients avoid common inconveniences of braces, such as trapped food in the framework, accidental breakage, and odd staining patterns on teeth surfaces upon removal.

Smooth lines

Braces have multiple sharp or blunt parts that can rub against the inside of the mouth, leading to discomfort and abrasions. The sensation of something rubbing against delicate oral tissues can prompt someone to contort the mouth and tongue in ways that draw attention to braces. Clear aligners help prevent these habits because the smooth, light trays fit flush over the teeth to become almost undetectable to wearers as well as observers.

Efficient cleaning

The ability to remove and replace aligners means patients can easily clean and sanitize trays and teeth daily. Maintaining proper oral hygiene can be challenging while wearing braces; therefore, teeth may be susceptible to a buildup of bacteria that can cause noticeable stains and other defects. Invisalign® wearers seldom face this issue and are more likely to maintain a sparkling smile free from noticeable stains on the teeth that persist long after the braces come off.

Other options can discreetly align teeth

Patients seeking nearly invisible teeth straightening options may also consider lingual braces that attach to the backsides of the teeth. Although lingual braces are only visible from precise angles, patients who wear them tend to develop a subtle lisp because the tongue rubs against them while speaking. Aligner trays do not produce this telltale sign that someone is wearing them.