A crooked smile can make you feel shy. Crowded teeth can cause you to hide your smile in pictures and in person. An overbite can make you feel self-conscious, and some people feel the same way about gaps in their smiles.

Braces are a great way to fix all of those issues, but we’ve also learned that some people are not interested in any treatment that involves brackets and wires. This is common among many adult patients who are in careers that involve a lot of face-to-face meetings with clients and customers.

It’s also one of the reasons we offer Invisalign® at all of our Orthodontic Alliances locations. We have three offices serving patients throughout northwest Indiana. Call 219-809-6584 (Michigan City) 219-841-7795 (Portage) 219-440-6512 (St. John) or contact us online if you’d like to schedule a consultation at the office closest to you.

In today’s post, we’ll focus what Invisalign can do, why it is different than traditional braces, and why it might be a good option for you or someone you love.

You Can Make Changes

Braces have a long history of success in orthodontics. The combination of brackets and wires have proven to be incredibly effective at fixing a lot of problems:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Crossbites
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Open bites
  • Overbites
  • Underbites

With braces, your teeth are moved by the pressure created by the brackets, wires, and (sometimes) small rubber bands.

Invisalign can correct these same problems for many patients, but not all. If your alignment issues are more severe, braces or one another treatment option may be better for you.

For patients with mild or moderate issues, however, Invisalign is worth considering.

If you are good candidates for this service, we’ll explain the treatment in greater detail. We will also answer any questions you have about all the treatment options that could work for you. We want to make sure you have the information you need to make the right decision for you.

A Push Toward A Better Smile

Where braces push and pull teeth, Invisalign aligners give your teeth a gentle push.

When someone uses Invisalign, a custom-designed series of aligners is created just for that person’s teeth.

These aligners are clear, which makes them blend in with your teeth when they are being worn. This is more discreet than traditional braces, which is a big reason why many working adults and some teens prefer this option.

Each aligner is meant to be worn for 22 hours for a few weeks. When you change aligners, you will feel some gentle pressure for a day or two. That is the aligner pushing your teeth a little closer to your goal of a straight smile.

Another benefit of Invisalign is that you can remove them during meals. That means you can keep eating all your favorite foods throughout your treatment. You just need to remember to clean your teeth and your aligner before putting it back in your mouth.

Regardless of what orthodontic treatment you receive, you will need to wear a retainer at the end of the process. For some people this is temporary. For other people, wearing a retainer for at least a few hours daily will be necessary to keep their smiles looking great.

Talk To Us If You’re Interested in Invisalign

Many general dentists will offer Invisalign, but they can’t compare to the knowledge and experience that our orthodontic specialists have. There’s a reason we have been named the top orthodontic practice in the area twice by readers of the Post-Tribune.

To find out more, contact us online or call 219-809-6584 (Michigan City) 219-841-7795 (Portage) 219-440-6512 (St. John) to get started with an appointment at the Orthodontic Alliances office nearest you.