5 Reasons Why You Should Get Invisible Braces

Does the thought of metal brackets and poking wires make you cringe? Are you worried that a mouth full of metal will make it harder to get a job or that promotion you’ve been eyeing for months? Are you worried about how much you’ll have to spend?

If any of these have stopped you from getting braces, you are not alone. Thousands of adults opt out of getting braces because they’re worried about the cost, the pain, and appearing young and unprofessional.

For many years, metal braces seemed like the only viable option to fix crooked teeth, overbites, and crowded teeth. However, in the past few years, invisible braces have garnered quite a bit of attention and disrupted the orthodontic industry as a less invasive and less painful alternative to a perfect smile.
Here are five reasons to consider getting invisible braces:

1. Save time

One of the biggest appeals to invisible braces is the convenience and the time you will save. Metal braces require frequent face-to-tace appointments and hands-on treatment, which can be a pain, especially if you're busy and don't have a lot of free time. With invisible braces, it is convenient from start to finish.

Once you order your invisible braces impression kit, you will have everything you need to take a mold of your teeth, and most often it will come in a pre-paid package you will send back to the company when you're ready. Once the invisible braces provider receives your teeth impressions, they will determine if you're eligible for their services and if so, they will make you a custom treatment plan, most often including a 3D look at your future smile.

Within a few weeks, you'll have the aligners shipped straight to your home and then all you'll need to do is follow your treatment plan and change aligners when necessary. This means no waiting rooms or costly office visits. Invisible braces will save your time, not waste it.

Invisible braces are also convenient to maintain. You don't need to work around metal braces when brushing your teeth or watch what you eat; invisible braces are removable at any time, so whenever you want to brush your teeth, eat, or drink, you can simply remove the aligners and put them back on when you're finished. 

2. Eat what you want

Perhaps one of the most inconvenient things with metal braces is being told you can’t eat certain foods. Many people complain that the first week with braces is especially tough as their mouth was extremely tender. Dentists and orthodontists recommend you stay away from the following foods if you have conventional braces:

• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — candy, caramel, gum
• Chewy foods — bagels, thick pizza crust, licorice
• Hard foods — almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios
• Foods you have to bite into — apples, carrots, corn on the cob

Invisible braces allow you to eat what you want, whenever you want it. You want to eat popcorn while you’re at the movies, go for it. You want to eat an apple before your doctor’s visit, you can.

It might take some getting used to having to take your aligners out before every meal, it doesn’t take long to get into the habit (just be sure to carry a retainer case with you to restaurants).

Yes, you’ll have to remove the aligners before eating and brush your teeth after eating, but at least it doesn’t limit your diet.

3. Spend less

One of the biggest reasons people decide against braces is the cost. Metal braces generally cost between $3,000 and $8,000 — and that’s not including any office visit fees or additional dental work (cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, etc.)

An online invisible aligner company is actually going to be one of the cheapest options when it comes to fixing your smile. You can expect to pay around $2,000 (maybe even less).

Online aligner companies will send you an at-home impression kit, you’ll take an impression of your teeth, send it back to the company, and a dentist or orthodontist will review your mold and come up with a treatment plan. It's a simple process, and you never have to set foot in a dentist’s office.

 While some patients worry about not meeting their dental professional in person, many of these companies assign one dentist or orthodontist to work with you throughout the entire process. So you can rest assured that you’ll be able to contact the company and your assigned dentists/orthodontists if you have any questions or concerns.

4. Achieve a healthier smile

You might be wondering how straightening your teeth will help keep them healthier. If your teeth are misaligned, it can be challenging to give them a proper cleaning. Crowded teeth can make it hard to floss, allowing plaque build-up, tartar, and cavities — putting you at greater risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Misaligned teeth put unnecessary pressure on your jaw and cause TMJ or migraines. Having an overbite increases the chance of a dental fracture.

While a straighter smile is great for aesthetic purposes, it also can make going to the dentist’s office a little less painful.

5. Increase your confidence

A study conducted by the American Dental Association found that 33 percent of young adults are reluctant to smile because of anxiety about the way their teeth look and 28 percent say their teeth have affected their ability to interview for a job.

A few years ago, Invisalign and Harris Poll conducted a study to find out why people wanted to straighten their teeth. Here are the results:

• 92% felt more confident after having their teeth straightened
• 80% felt that straightening their teeth was one of the most valuable treatments they’ve received
• 80% said they did something they would have never done if their teeth had not been straightened
• 75% said they had at least one positive experience related to their teeth straightening

While a straighter smile doesn’t change who you are, it can give you the confidence to do more of what you want to do. Whether you want to interview for a new job or ask that special someone on a date, you don’t have to worry about hiding your smile.

Bonus: Enjoy the subtle look of invisible braces

Invisible braces are just that when you wear them — invisible. You don't need to worry about clunky metal braces taking over your smile and drawing attention. Invisible braces are clear aligners that are so inconspicuous that hardly anyone will notice you’re wearing them. If you prefer it, no one even has to know you're undergoing the invisible braces process.