A straight smile isn’t just important for your selfies. It’s also important for your oral health. Straight teeth help you brush properly so you can remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria and have healthy teeth and gums. So if you have spacing, alignment, or bite issues, it’s important to have them addressed sooner rather than later. But what’s better: conventional metal braces or the less noticeable Invisalign® clear aligners? That depends!
The Conventional Route: Metal Braces
Younger patients and people with moderate to severe issues with crowding, gaps, and misalignment benefit most from metal braces. These braces are the ones you typically think of when you imagine orthodontia: metal bars, colored brackets if you want them, and rubber bands. They work by moving first the roots of teeth and then the crowns (the part of the tooth you see). Metal braces can correct even severe spacing and alignment problems. They can also correct problems with how your teeth line up, known as your bite. The materials we use in metal braces have come a long way, so they’re more comfortable than ever before. They’re also more customizable. Brackets can be brightly colored, tooth-colored, or even clear, so you can keep your style while straightening your smile.
The Modern Method: Invisalign
If you have mild to moderate spacing or alignment issues, you could be a great candidate for Invisalign, a clear orthodontic option that is fast and convenient. Invisalign offers wearers a number of benefits, including:
- Clear aligners that are barely noticeable
- Smooth plastic material that won’t irritate cheeks and gums
- Removable trays so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss like normal
- Shorter average treatment time compared to traditional braces – only about a year
Invisalign uses a series of straightening trays to gently move your teeth into more ideal positions. We work with you to design your goal smile and use that as a guide for your treatment. In the end, you’ll have a new smile you’ll love.
Which Is Right for You?
The only way for us to develop an orthodontic treatment plan for you is to have you come in for a consultation. Our team of dental professionals will meet with you, take a close look at your teeth and mouth, and talk with you about your smile goals and your lifestyle. That all informs our recommendation.
Ready to get started on the path to a new, straighter smile? Call Romeoville Dental Center to schedule an orthodontic consultation with our team.
