Invisalign Has Got Braces Beat – Hands Down

Invisalign Has Got Braces Beat – Hands Down

Thanks to breakthroughs over the last century, we’ve gotten better and better at manipulating the teeth in the mouth in order to improve the smiles of our population. And that’s very important to people, that they have a presentable smile; our culture puts an almost absurd amount of importance on the smile, and it’s something that we use everyday, in almost every situation. We use a smile to convey all sorts of emotions in every relationship that we have, whether it’s professional or personal, using it to, as the title of the classic book suggests, ‘win friends and influence people’.

Of late, we mostly use one method of treatment in order to fix malocclusions of the teeth (malocclusion, by the by, is a scientific term for ‘crooked teeth’, mostly used by people who have spent years in schools to learn about dentistry), meaning braces. Braces have only been around for about fifty years, or slightly less, but they’ve quickly become the ‘go to’ method of treating teeth. However, in the last decade and a half, we’ve seen the growth of a new method of aligning the teeth, one greatly improved over its more known predecessor. I’m talking about Invisalign, invisible braces.invisalign treatment san antonio

Invisalign has improved over its predecessor (and has improved the lives of cosmetic dentists with experience) in a number of ways, but what follows is a brief discussion of the three major advantages it has over the more standard metal braces in common use.

1. Discretion

One of the main drawbacks to the older braces, standard metal braces, is shown in their very name. ‘Metal’ braces. In general, metal is not, nor has it ever been, discreet; it’s bright and shiny, catches the light easily, glints with the slightest provocation, this list could go on and on. This makes it a poor choice for people who are trying to fix some cosmetic problem with their teeth that they may be more or less embarrassed by. People, in general, don’t like to draw a lot of attention to what they perceive to be the issues with their own body, and because of this, some people don’t get the corrective cosmetic dental work that they may want or need.
For more information about San Antonio Invisalign Treatment go here: Cochran Orthodontics in San Antonio

Thankfully, Invisalign offers an answer. It isn’t made of metal at all, in any way, in any portion. Rather, the whole system is made of a hard plastic that is also somewhat flexible. The most important point, however, is that, unlike its metal cousin, Invisalign aligners are absolutely invisible to the naked eye. Your friends could be seated across from you at a dinner table and not notice that they’re in. And speaking of dinner…

2. Ease and comfort of use

One of the worst things, for most people, about standard metal braces is their propensity for getting things caught in them. It almost seems like a result of the design (which is sensible, because it is, in a way), but anything you eat will, in some way, end up stuck in the braces that you’re wearing. To compound the situation and make matters even worse, having braces mounted on your teeth makes it far more difficult for you to brush and floss them, meaning there’s a chance that you won’t be able to get to all those hard to reach nooks and crannies, leaving you in need of more quality dental care, in the vein of a filling for a cavity or something similar. Not a desirable outcome at all.invisalign san antonio Cochran Orthodontics

On the other hand, this isn’t a worry for your Invisalign aligners, which you can, and are suggested to, remove during meal times and for brushing and flossing of your teeth. This makes it a lot easier to make sure that, as you’re straightening your teeth, you’re not damaging them by making them harder to clean and more likely to trap various debris from your meal.

3. Cost

A big worry for everyone these days is cost, and that’s understandable. Luckily, Invisalign is very affordable, being only slightly more than their competition, standard braces. It’s important to note that your prices will vary, as prices vary by locality, but, in general, Invisalign costs somewhere around five hundred dollars more than standard metal braces. That’s a steal for something that is such a step up in discretion and comfort and ease of use!

So, if you’re in the market for a treatment to straighten out your teeth and make your smile a little bit more perfect, consider Invisalign aligners. Be sure to ask your local experienced dentist if they’re the right choice for you and your particular malocclusion!

Our San Antonio Orthodontist Recommends a Screening At Age 7

Our San Antonio Orthodontist Recommends a Screening At Age 7

Along with the American Association of Orthodontist, we recommend that a child receive their first orthodontic screening by the age 7. By starting treatment early, we are able to recognize potential problems early and correct them before they become more serious. This not only saves you and your child time, but also money.

Early interceptive orthodontic treatment has proven to be beneficial for the overall desired result. Because a young child’s permanent teeth have not finished erupting, we are able to thoroughly evaluate the front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships and address any impending problems at its earliest stage.Children Orthodontics san antonio

During your child’s initial evaluation we will first determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed, such as potential crowding, open bite, overbite or gummy smiles. It is possible that immediate treatment is not necessary at the time or even at all. However, if treatment is indicated, we will create a personalized treatment plan for your child that will prove to be the most beneficial for his/her specific case.

Early orthodontic treatment varies between patients, but may include removable or fixed appliances that can provide more room for crowded, erupting teeth; preserve space for un-erupted teeth; create facial symmetry through manipulating jaw growth; reduce the possibility of tooth extraction; and reduce overall treatment time in braces.

To find out if your child is a candidate for early interceptive treatment, contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Types of Braces Offered

METAL BRACES
Metal braces are the most common type. They are made of high-grade stainless steel. Today’s metal braces are smaller, more comfortable and more attractive.

CERAMIC BRACES
Many patients enjoy the combination of ceramic and metal because it is simultaneously attractive and sturdy. In fact, these braces are so sturdy that many doctors will recommend them to their patients who play sports. Patients are allowed to engage in most everyday activities without fear of delaying or impeding their progress. Also, because they have a semi-transparent color that will not stain, patients can proceed with necessary orthodontic treatment without having to feel self-conscious. These features are designed for patients regardless of age.

Invisalign® Teen
Now teens don’t have to worry about embarrassing metal braces in their yearbook photos or Facebook profiles – introducing Invisalign® Teen! Invisalign® Teen is the clear way to straighten teeth without metal braces, using aligners. Aligners are removable and virtually invisible, which means you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing; and you can still eat and drink what you want. Also, you can brush and floss normally to maintain healthy gums and teeth; and there are no wires, metal or brackets to cause mouth abrasions.San Antonio Orthodontic treatment - invisalign braces

We went to leading orthodontists, parents, and teens themselves to custom-design an Invisalign® system just right for the dental needs of teenagers. With blue-to-clear color-changing aligners to show how long each aligner has been worn, six free replacement aligners in case some are lost or broken, and other changes designed to accommodate growing mouths, Invisalign® Teen is the perfect teeth-straightening system for today’s teens’ busy lifestyles!

What is Invisalign® Teen?

Invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
Series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners.
Uses no metal wires or brackets.
Custom-made for comfort.

How does Invisalign® Teen work?
Wear each set of aligners for about two weeks.
Remove only to eat, drink, brush and floss.
Your teeth will move gradually each week.
Visit us every 8-10 weeks.
Total treatment time averages 6-15 months.
Average number of aligners is between 18 and 30.

Are Invisalign Trays The Right Braces for You

invisalign san antonio Cochran Orthodontics

If you are extremely unhappy your misaligned teeth then you should visit an Invisalign dental specialist to get them straightened. Your smile will be much less frequent if your teeth are not straight. Furthermore, crooked or crowded teeth are more challenging to clean. Keeping your teeth clean will mean a healthier mouth and more apt to ward off cavities.San Antonio Orthodontic treatment - Invisalign braces

How does Invisalign work? Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist plans out for you.

There are definite advantages to Invisalign versus traditional braces.  Some of the advantages are:

– They are virtually invisible. The thing that individuals dislike most about wearing traditional braces is the way they look.  Metal wire on one’s teeth are very noticeable.  They look even worse when food gets stuck in them.

– They are much more comfortable.  Unlike traditional braces which irritate the lips and cheeks, Invisalign is completely comfortable. Additionally, the aligners don’t pull your teeth with as much force as standard braces do. 

– It is removable: You can take out your Invisalign to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly and easily. You can leave them out when you go on a date or social event and and no one will know you are having your teeth straightened.  Since you can clean your teeth well you won’t have bad breath or the likelihood of cavities.

The Invisalign treatment does take longer to straighten your teeth due to the fact that it doesn’t pull the teeth with as much force. This means you will not feel the soreness that comes with the adjustments of traditional braces.  You will need to visit your Invisalign dental practitioner every few weeks.

Do plan a consultation with the best Invisalign dental practitioner to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment.  This procedure is not meant for those individuals whose teeth are terribly misaligned. You will need to visit your dental specialist every few weeks to get another Invisalign to keep up progress of your straightening. You will be exceptionally happy that you picked this method. It is the most up to date, easy, and helpful method for straightening your teeth.

We provide complete orthodontic care in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Find more information on this website