If you need to have your teeth straightened, then you have a couple of options: mainly braces and Invisalign. To help you make a more informed decision, here is an overview of everything you need to know about Invisalign.

How does Invisalign work?

Basically, Invisalign works by incrementally adjusting the position of your teeth and gums slowly over time. In order to get started on Invisalign, your dentist will need to take quite a few measurements of your mouth. From these measurements, they will create a plan for adjusting your teeth to their desired position over a series of months. The amount of adjustment that is needed is generally proportional to the length of the process.

The production of your Invisalign will then begin, and a series of aligners will be created. You will start by wearing the first aligner, then a few weeks later, you will move on to the next aligner. Once you have worn every aligner for two or so weeks (depending on your dentist's orders), your teeth should ideally be in their final position.

Of course, you will also need to visit the dentist fairly frequently during the process in order to make sure that everything is going as planned.

What are the differences between Invisalign and traditional braces?

Cost - The cost of Invisalign is somewhere around $5,000, while braces will cost between $2,000 and $5,000. These prices can fluctuate pretty drastically depending on how much adjustment your teeth need, how close you are to an Invisalign provider, and how much your insurance is willing to cover. 

Foods Allowed: With braces, there are quite a few kinds of food that you will be unable to eat. Sticky and hard foods have a tendency to get stuck in braces and can be incredibly uncomfortable and damaging to the alignment process. With Invisalign, there are no such restrictions. Since you can actually take off your Invisalign whenever you want, you can remove them to eat any foods you desire.

Daily Required Usage: For braces, you have to wear them at all times. You cannot take them off if they are uncomfortable. With Invisalign, you only have to wear your aligners for around 90% of your day. You can take them off as long as you want, as long as you are wearing them over 22 hours a day.

Total Duration: Braces need to be worn for a couple of years in most situations. Invisalign treatment plans usually only last around a year for adults, but can last two years for teenagers.

For more information, talk to a professional like Port Orchard Dental Care Center.

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