Less Emergency Orthodontic Visits With Invisalign Than Braces

Patients who choose Invisalign® are generally able to maintain a more normal lifestyle than patients wearing traditional braces. Patients with wire-and-bracket braces, or those who had such braces in the past, likely remember at least one instance in which they had to visit the emergency orthodontist to replace a part or fix a broken wire, which is not needed with an aligner straightening system.

Reasons to choose Invisalign® over braces

Though traditional braces are sometimes still required, patients with minor dental issues are often able to enjoy regular activities while straightening teeth at the same time with clear aligners. Invisalign® provides patients with more lifestyle freedom than traditional braces.

Patients may have fewer emergency orthodontic visits

Traditional braces are composed of many delicate parts, such as wires, brackets, and accessories, that can be easily lost or damaged. Sometimes this leads to orthodontic emergencies: For example, a teenaged patient may sustain an injury while playing sports without a mouthguard. Other cases, such as a bracket popping off, are not a true dental emergency, but the patient may be unable to eat, sleep, or concentrate due to the discomfort in the mouth. Invisalign® patients simply have to keep track of two solid and durable aligners.

Patients can have more control over the treatment plan

Adult patients, especially those with busy schedules, may feel stressed by the number of visits that must be completed to adjust braces. Cleaning a multifaceted wire apparatus can be difficult, and eating certain foods may be impossible. Invisalign® patients are able to enjoy any favorite foods, take the aligners out as desired, and replace the aligners with new sets as needed to advance the treatment instead of returning to the office for multiple adjustments.

Additional reasons to choose Invisalign®

Patients who are deciding between Invisalign® and traditional braces may be interested in learning more about how the clear aligner process can lead to better oral health as well as a higher quality of life. Though some patients need traditional braces to correct more advanced dental issues, clear aligners that can be removed are appropriate for many cases.

With Invisalign®, patients are able to maintain oral health with the same methods as before: Brushing, flossing, and checking for cavities are easy with aligners that can be removed whenever the patient desires. Additionally, patients may save time and money on oral hygiene because additional products do not need to be bought. Patients may also feel more comfortable eating a variety of foods instead of avoiding favorites that may stain traditional braces — such as tomato sauce or coffee — and as a result, healthy eating habits do not need to be altered.