I'm Embarrassed about my Crooked Teeth

Straighter teeth can bring a range of benefits, but are they worth the hassle of braces? Though braces are the preferred method of teeth straightening for some people, less invasive clear aligners have become increasingly popular and for a good reason. The clear aligners worn over your teeth can enhance your physical and emotional wellbeing without causing significant inconveniences as they straighten.

Nicole Thompson, DMD, at Lovely Smiles Orthodontics, in Richmond, TX, provides exceptional clear aligner treatments, including Invisalign, allowing you to achieve a beautifully straight smile and improved oral health. Read on to learn more about these benefits.

Improved dental health

Straighter teeth not only boost your physical appearance by creating a smile you can feel more confident about. But, also, improves the alignment of the teeth. This results in a  significant improvement of your dental health as flossing and brushing is a lot easier. In addition, because you take out the Invisalign aligners before eating, you won’t have to worry about food particles and bacteria getting trapped on your teeth the way they can with conventional braces. This results in a lower risk of plaque buildup and cavities on your teeth.

Having crowded or overlapping teeth can also pave the way for plaque buildup and decay. By straightening your teeth with Invisalign, and taking care of your teeth, you’ll end up with a lower risk for gum disease. A lower risk of gum disease results in a lower risk for other serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Eating your favorite foods

One challenge of having braces is the limitations of certain foods, including bagels, popcorn, and corn on the cob. During your Invisalign treatment, you’ll remove your aligners before eating. Therefore, you will have no food limitations. So, you can eat all foods, including chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods and even foods you can bite into.

Once your teeth are straighter thanks to the Invisalign, you may also have an easier time eating your favorite foods. This is because crowded and crooked teeth often reduce the effective chewing surfaces of your teeth, which can bring undue strain on your jaw and related discomfort and pain. 

Smiling with confidence along the way

Your Invisalign Aligners are virtually invisible. This means that you can talk and smile as usual, without worrying that someone will notice or become distracted by them like the metal of braces. 

Because Invisalign gradually straightens your teeth, you won’t have to wait until your treatment is completely finished to see and sport the aesthetic benefits. And because research shows that smiling can boost your mood, you may end up feeling brighter as you feel less inclined to hide your pearly whites.

Faster results, compared to braces

Depending on the specifics of your teeth before you start your clear aligner treatment, you can expect to wear your aligners on average 12-18 months. Plus, you get the bonus of a couple of hours off daily, for eating, brushing, and flossing. Braces, on the other hand, stay on your teeth 24/7 for on average 18 months to 24 months. This means on average with Invisalign, you can have straighter teeth a little faster. 

A simple start

Getting started with Invisalign  is a pretty simple and painless process. Your orthodontist will take 3D digital scans. Therefore, you won’t have to have your mouth filled with the gooey substance traditionally used for molds that many people find uncomfortable. Although your aligners will feel quite tight at the beginning, you’ll adjust quickly. Some discomfort is normal initially when moving your teeth for the first time. Usually Tylenol or Advil will help with the discomfort. If the edges of the aligners are rubbing against the gums, a clean nail file can be used to solve the problem. Or, just call your orthodontist to adjust it for you.

To learn more about Invisalign or get started on the path to straighter teeth, call Lovely Smiles Orthodontics or request an appointment through our website.