Adult Teeth Straightening: An Alternative to Braces

Traditional braces are used during childhood when a youngster’s teeth aren’t developing normally as their adult teeth begin to grow. Sometimes, a child’s mouth is too small to hold all the developing teeth. In some cases, braces are used to close gaps in teeth. A large percentage of children have braces to correct more than one issue, such as overcrowding, crooked teeth, and gaps – all in one mouth. However, those dental problems don’t disappear after adolescence. When individuals miss the chance to have their teeth corrected in their youth, they may choose an alternative, such as clear aligners. These days there are so many options, from in-office treatment options like Invisalign to home clear aligners like Byte (which offers daytime and nighttime treatments). Every option has its own pros and cons, but are all highly effective.

Tradition and Innovation Work Together

Clear aligners look a lot like the retainers that many children wear after they finish using braces. The aligners work in much the same way that traditional braces work, but without the obvious appearance of metal brackets and wires. Each set of aligners should generally be worn for about two weeks before a new aligner is made and worn. This is because the gentle pressure of the aligner moves your teeth closer and closer to your ideal smile. Each clear new tray will move your teeth a bit closer to their best position.

Simple Care and Maintenance

There are several benefits to using a braces alternative. For example, care and maintenance are very simple. When you remove the aligners to brush your teeth, you’ll rinse the clear plastic. It’s important during orthodontic care to brush and floss with every meal to make sure food and bacteria don’t build up between your teeth, so this gives you several chances throughout the day to give the aligner a good rinse. It’s best not to use toothpaste on the aligners because the paste can leave scratches on the plastic.

Mealtime Decisions Are Easier

Mealtime can be problematic for people with braces as many types of foods are liable to become trapped in the wiring so it’s better you research what can’t you eat with braces first before deciding to have one. Bits of food between the teeth is often very embarrassing and is one of the reasons that adults, in particular, don’t want to wear braces. Clear aligners are a great alternative in this situation because the aligner is kept in a tidy case during meals. If you have a fondness for pizza or you like to take a crunchy bite out of an apple, you should seriously consider Invisalign treatment, as the plastic aligner is a much better fit for this.

Enjoy Your Comfortable Smile

Aligners are a clear braces alternative that helps you reach the improvements you want without sacrificing your professional appearance. The aligners aren’t obvious, and some people may never recognize that you’re wearing one. However, your teeth will be improving constantly over the course of treatment. You can appreciate the benefits of straighter teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment and without waiting until the end of the treatment period. You can also choose to take the aligners out for special occasions if you prefer. Just remember, the key to success with the aligners is to wear them as regularly as possible.

The choice to wear traditional braces or an alternative, such as the aligners, is up to you. Your decision may be based on aesthetic preferences, your motivation to wear the aligners consistently, your concerns for comfort, the cost of treatment, and the condition of your mouth. However, aligners provide a dental care option that makes it possible for many people to achieve the smile they really want.