What You Need To Know
For years, many people assumed that the only real way to correct dental issues like crowded teeth or an overbite was via traditional braces. Despite the many advancements in the procedure that have taken place in recent years, they still look like exactly what you're picturing— a series of metal brackets that are affixed to the teeth and then connected together via wires. The strength of that wire is what gently moves the teeth into their desired position over time.
While traditional braces are still an absolutely viable treatment method for this type of dental work, Invisalign has emerged in recent years as one of the best options for teens in particular. This is true for a number of distinct reasons, all of which are certainly worth exploring.
How Many Hours a Day Do I Need to Wear the Invisalign Aligners?
Generally speaking, for the treatment to be as successful as possible, you'll need to wear the Invisalign aligners for as long as possible— at the very least, for 22 hours a day, every day, for the duration of the procedure. As a rule of thumb, you should really only take them off in limited situations, like when you're brushing your teeth, you're flossing your teeth or you're eating.
Just pop them back in your mouth again when you're finished eating (after you've brushed your teeth, of course) and you'll be ready to go.
Is Having an Active Lifestyle Possible With Invisalign?
Absolutely! Most teens don't have to contend with any significant lifestyle changes in any way, shape or form.
You can absolutely still play sports while wearing your aligners, for example, because they can easily be removed before a game. Just be sure to wear a mouth guard for the duration of play to protect your teeth.
Overall, Invisalign aligners can absolutely support and empower an active lifestyle and this is one of the major reasons why they've become so popular in the first place.
The Many Benefits of Invisalign
All told, Invisalign brings with it a wide range of different benefits that would be difficult— if not downright impossible— to replicate with traditional braces, regardless of how far that particular treatment method has come.
Because Invisalign aligners are very precisely crafted, they actually act as something of a "second skin" to your teeth. Because of this, they're far more comfortable than traditional braces.
The Invisalign aligners are also totally clear, meaning they're far less noticeable, too. Many people probably won't even realize that you're wearing them unless you go out of your way to make that fact known.
Invisalign aligners can also be removed for eating and special events like sports (as outlined above), prom, etc. This is great for teens who want to get an early start on their treatment but who don't necessarily want to immortalize the fact that they were ever wearing them in photos.
As a treatment option, Invisalign is also responsible for far fewer appointments to the orthodontist than traditional braces. Any adjustments are made to the aligners themselves, not to the positioning of a series of metal brackets or the strength of the wire. You'll get to enjoy far shorter trips to the orthodontist, too.
Finally, Invisalign aligners are a terrific option for athletes in particular because they're so versatile— creating something of a perfect storm of benefits that many people out there have come to appreciate and love.