Everything You Need To Know
For adults looking to correct small or even significant dental issues, many people assume that they essentially have one option available to them: traditional braces. Indeed, this perceived lack of options is one of the reasons why people wait so long to pursue treatment at all— if they ever even bother to begin in the first place.
While traditional braces are effective, there's also a certain stigma attached to them when it comes to adults— many people assume that braces are for kids and, as a result, that option was never really on the table in the first place.
Setting aside the fact that you can get braces at any age, there IS a viable alternative that is certainly worth exploring: Invisalign.
As opposed to a series of metal brackets that are connected together via wires in your mouth, Invisalign works by creating clear plastic aligners that act as something of a second skin for your teeth. Every few weeks you swap out one set of aligners for another, and the subtle changes from one set to the next are what move your teeth into the desired position over time.
If you're thinking about getting Invisalign for yourself, however, there are a few key things you'll want to keep in mind.
How Many Hours A Day Do I Need To Wear The Aligners?
Generally speaking, you'll want to wear the aligners for as long as you possibly can— so for at least 22 hours a day, but more is always good. Overall, you should only take them off to brush or floss your teeth or to eat.
After a meal, just brush your teeth and put the aligners back in your mouth and you'll be ready to go for the rest of the day.
The Benefits Of Invisalign For Adults
As stated, Invisalign for adults brings with it a wide range of different benefits that are far too important to ignore.
Because of the very precise way in which the aligners are created, they're far more comfortable than traditional braces. Rather than having a mouth filled with metal, you'll have a comfortable set of clear plastic aligners that really aren't too dissimilar to something like a retainer.
Thanks to the fact that the aligners themselves are clear, they're also far less noticeable than traditional braces. In fact, unless you specifically go out of your way to tell someone that you're wearing them, there's a good chance that they won't notice at all.
Invisalign aligners can be removed during eating so there are virtually no dietary restrictions to speak of, AND you'll get to enjoy fewer appointments to the orthodontist for corrections, too. That last fact alone is often what helps Invisalign fit into a busy adult's lifestyle.
Why Get Invisalign As An Adult?
Far too many people out there think that once you hit a certain age, it's too late to begin treatment of any type. This is false. Dental issues can happen at literally any age, meaning that treatment via Invisalign is ALWAYS an option that is available to you.
Invisalign can also improve several different aspects of your life, from your self-esteem to your quality of life (depending on the specific dental issues you're trying to correct). But more often than not, the improved confidence that comes with getting Invisalign alone is enough for most adults to finally enjoy the perfect smile they've always seen for themselves.