Some people are born lucky with a natural set of a picture-perfect smile, but most have to deal with problems regarding overbite, underbite, overcrowding, gaps, crooked teeth, and even jaw misalignment. Beyond cosmetic damage, some severe cases can cause speech problems along with a gap in your confidence, which is why many will go through lengths to have their teeth fixed. Braces are typically the go-to solution for the improper alignment of teeth, however, a modern trend called Invisalign has emerged and has been dominating the orthodontic scene since its release. 

Invisalign is a contemporary method of straightening teeth and is highly-regarded in the industry for its nearly invisible material. In essence, it is generally an aesthetic improvement as well as flexible compared to traditional braces due to its incremental transparent aligners and ability to be snapped back on or off any time of the day. The material itself is custom moulded to the shape of your teeth, though it will need to be adjusted every two weeks as your teeth will shift throughout the treatment plan. While it is a fool-proof way of enhancing a person’s smile, we’re here to help straighten out a few more things about Invisalign to ensure you’re choosing the method that would best suit your needs. Here are 4 facts about Invisalign you need to know:
 

The perks of Invisalign is that it can be removed any given time of the day, however, dentists recommend patients to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours to achieve optimal results. Forgetting to put them back on will delay the progress and only serve to add more weight to the costs of the treatment. In that regard, it still offers more flexibility compared to traditional braces as you can remove them during meals, not to mention, it also allows for maximum oral hygiene as you can remove the aligners to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. In that regard, if you’re aiming to fulfil the recommended 22 hours, you may need to cut off on snacking in between meals. This can pose a challenge for some, though others may be excited at the prospect of getting the chance to trim up their waistline along with improving their smile. To that end, a typical treatment plan takes approximately one to two years to achieve the perfect smile, though smaller tweaks may only require six months.
 

Invisalign is known for its transparent aligners, which makes it nearly invisible compared to the colourful rubber and metal wires of traditional braces. However, this also means that the aligners can be easily stained, especially when drinking coffee, soft drinks, or wine. Having a travel toothbrush will come in handy as you may need to keep your aligners spick-and-span to keep it as invisible as it promises.
 

Invisalign is an excellent choice for treating misaligned teeth, gaps, crookedness, and minor underbite or overbite. However, severe malocclusions may garner better results from traditional braces as it is generally faster and more cost-effective compared to Invisalign. That isn’t to say that Invisalign won’t be effective, though some rubber attachments similar to metal braces may be required to speed up the process.
 

Invisalign offers a whitening treatment to go along with the aligners, which allows you to put together straight and white teeth like peanut butter and jelly. It's a huge plus for those who are aiming for the Hollywood-like smile, though keep in mind that the costs may ramp up with this addition. 

Progressive Dentistry is rated as one of the best dentists in London - get in touch today to see how we can help.