Did you know that people have been attempting to straighten their teeth for thousands of years? In fact, mummies from ancient Egypt have been found with a primitive form of braces on their teeth! In more recent history, the brackets and wires used for modern braces were developed in the 1700’s by a dentist in France. For centuries, this was the only way to straighten teeth – until Invisalign came along. By using completely different materials and technology, Invisalign in Lafayette can give patients the same results they would get with braces, without the inconvenience of traditional orthodontics. Keep reading to learn more about the technology behind Invisalign and the many advantages it offers!
What Kind of Technology Is Used For Invisalign?
Invisalign trays (also called aligners) look like teeth whitening trays and are made of a clear, medical-grade, thermoplastic material. They’re free from BPA, BPS, latex and gluten, and are FDA-approved.
The way Invisalign works is fundamentally similar to regular braces: The aligners apply controlled pressure to each tooth to create specific movement over time. But the materials used to move the positions of the teeth are the key difference that provides patients with fantastic results – invisibly. And that’s not the only advantage!
What Advantages Does Invisalign Offer?
Here are just some of the benefits patients can expect from straightening their teeth with Invisalign:
- Less time in treatment – While every case is unique, the average time spent in Invisalign is around 12 months. For braces, it’s about 24 months.
- Better oral hygiene – It’s not uncommon for people to have cavities or gum issues once their braces have been removed because brackets and wires are so difficult to clean around. With Invisalign, you can brush and floss just as well as you did before.
- No dietary restrictions – The aligner trays are removed prior to meals, so you won’t have to give up any of your favorite foods.
- Fewer progress visits – Oftentimes, patients in braces have progress visits about once every 4 weeks. But most Invisalign patients only need to go in about every 6 weeks.
- Comfort – Smooth plastic aligners are more much comfortable than traditional braces, so your gums and cheeks won’t be irritated or tender.
Orthodontics have come a long way since the days of the ancient Egyptians. With modern technology, you can get the straight, even smile you’ve always wanted – without the hassle of braces!
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Holecek is a general, cosmetic and restorative dentist in Lafayette who treats every patient like family. He’s thrilled to offer Invisalign as an alternative to braces and loves seeing the great results it provides. If you think Invisalign might be right for you and have additional questions, he can be contacted via his website or at (303) 604-6355.