As an adult, the idea of the traditional metal brace can be rather off putting and deter you from treatment. Luckily there are alternative options to the traditional brace and whilst the cosmetic appearance of treatment may have put you off previously, clear aligners such as Invisalign Chelsea have become a real game changer for most adults and may be able to help.
Are They All They’re Cracked Up To Be?
Whilst a straight set of teeth may seem like a dream, the process to get to that dream may be off putting. After all, as an adult it is hard to put aside the fear of standing out from the crowd if following a traditional method of metal braces. So why aligners?
Aligners are tailor-made to fit your specific dentition and to fit in easily with your daily life. Simple to clean with removal during your oral hygiene process and when you eat, minimal check-ups allowing your daily life to continue as normal with little interruption and an effective treatment which does the job without the world knowing about it. If you are looking into having your teeth straightened then transparent aligners are well worth looking into.
Minimal Discomfort
Some dental appliances used in the past to straighten teeth came with some side effects, of blisters around the gums, considerable aching due to the pulling in of the teeth and a dose of insecurity due to the appearance of the chunky, visible braces. Whilst the methods were highly effective, the process to get from A to B was not always the most pleasant and therefore going for aligners which are made from a thin plastic is definitely beneficial. The snug fit of the aligners, which are tailor-made to your own teeth, allow a comfortable fit with minimal discomfort both physically and emotionally.
A Long Term Treatment?
As with the traditional brace method, the length of time that the invisible aligners take depends entirely on the individual’s alignment problem, as well as their commitment to the treatment. Should a more complex tooth misalignment problem be apparent, the aligners may need to be worn for a longer period of time, but this is not always the case and therefore your dental team will always consult with you to ensure you have the correct information.
How To Preserve Treatment
Once you have successfully completed your treatment and your teeth are aligned into their new positioning there will need to be a final retainer created and worn. Whilst this will not be forever, this final transparent retainer will help protect your smile and prevent the teeth from shifting back into their original positions. The idea is therefore not to have multiple treatments throughout your life, but to have one and to preserve the hard work put in.
A Costly Treatment
Due to the cosmetic aspects of the aligners these are considered to be more expensive than the traditional brace method which can be obtained via the NHS. That being said, many dental practices offer a variety of payment options allowing patients to spread the cost. If it is a treatment that will not only get you the results you are after but also have less impact on your life, then it is well worth the extra cost.
