In the past, people had one choice of something to straighten out their teeth: braces. Then, Invisalign came on to the scene and it became very popular. How popular, you ask? According to Invisalign, 10 million people have used the clear aligners, with 1.4 million of them being teenagers. So, it’s clearly a very viable alternative. Here are some reasons why people like Invisalign over braces.

Get the Treatment Without the Look

One thing people dislike about braces is that they are blindingly obvious when one smiles for a picture. They don’t like people seeing a mouthful of metal with braces, whereas Invisalign is discreet. The mouthguards are clear and not obvious, and that gives the wearer a lot more confidence. While some may not mind the traditional route, this is a great alternative for others.

You Can Eat What You Want

When you have braces on, your diet is limited. Some food can get stuck or even damage the braces. You can take out the Invisalign mouthguards to eat, meaning you have no limits. That alone can make people want to get Invisalign. You do have to brush your teeth afterwards, but people see that as a minor inconvenience.

Things to Consider

Sometimes, if your teeth are severely crooked, Invisalign won’t be strong enough to get your them into the right position. Only braces can turn those teeth into place. Your orthodontist will tell you if that’s the case. As far as price goes, the two options are generally in the same ballpark. If you’re worried about paying, there’s often financing option available.

There are a couple of serious guidelines to consider. While you can take the aligners out to eat, you still have to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. You also have to be mindful about not leaving them someplace, like a crowded high school or college cafeteria. This can be especially stressful if it’s your absentminded teen or college student that’s wearing them. Then you could wind up having to wait for a replacement to come in.

A lot of people think the above is still a fair trade-off for being able to eat and drink what you like and having the more discreet mouthpieces, as opposed to the obvious metal braces in their mouths. You should talk with your orthodontist about whether Invisalign is the right choice for you. Contact us today!