What does a perfect smile look like? How could you get that perfect smile? Braces will certainly do the trick, but if you are an adult, you may not feel braces fit in with your work. What if we told you that your could fix your teeth with “invisible braces” instead? Invisalign doesn’t work quite the same as braces do, but it does offer a more discreet alternative to orthodontic treatment. It could be just what you need to give yourself the smile you have dreamed of seeing in the mirror. Residents in and near the Triangle can get Invisalign at any Sunrise Dental location. The staff at any of our dentist offices — in Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh — would be happy to discuss if Invisalign could work for you. Don’t keep living with at smile that you don’t like. Get the smile you want with Invisalign. Getting Your Teeth In Line We all know that teeth that are straight look nicer, but you may not have considered that those straight teeth are usually healthier, too. Straight teeth are easier to keep clean with brushing and flossing. People with misaligned teeth may have places where bacteria and plaque can remain hidden from their toothbrushes and dental floss. People have been trying to fix their teeth for centuries, and that includes various kinds of braces. Without question, modern braces are an effective way to straighten teeth. Brackets and wires (and sometimes tiny rubber bands) work together to push and pull teeth into a different position. Invisalign may be a newer technology, but it too have proven to be effective for patients with a variety of alignment problems. Instead of wires and brackets, Invisalign uses clear, plastic aligners to gently push your teeth where they need to go. Here are some of the things you can correct with Invisalign: ◼︎ Crooked teeth ◼︎ Crossbites ◼︎ Crowded teeth ◼︎ Gapped teeth ◼︎ Open bites ◼︎ Overbites ◼︎ Underbites Comfort And Convenience We know that braces and Invisalign will both correct a number of alignment issues, so why might you prefer plastic over metal? Let’s consider the differences. With braces, you will have brackets attached to your teeth, and you will have wires running between those brackets. For some people, the brackets can be irritating or scratchy. Some patients have metal allergies, which can complicate orthodontic treatment. And unfortunately, sometimes the wires on braces come loose. We don’t think we have to explain why a wire poking into your cheeks, gums, or lips might be uncomfortable. With Invisalign, you wear a series of clear, plastic aligners. Each aligner is a made of a single, smooth piece of plastic. They don’t have any metal. They don’t have scratchy edges, and they don’t have pieces that can come loose and poke you inside your mouth. As far as convenience, you can’t take off your braces. You need to visit your dentist or orthodontist each time you need an adjustment to your braces. When you have braces, you have to give up eating certain foods for the duration of your treatment. Plus, you may need special tools to maintain your oral hygiene. With Invisalign, “adjustments” are as simple as taking out one aligner and putting in a new one. While you do need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours each day for best results, that also means you can remove them for up two hours. What can you do during those two hours? You can eat anything that your want, and you can brush and floss your teeth just like you would normally. ‘Clear’ Benefits One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign compared to braces is how they look. When you have metal brackets and wires in your mouth, you can’t hide them. They are there for the two years or so that you will need to wear them to complete your treatment. In contrast, Invisalign treatments typically take 12 months, which is about half the time you may need to wear braces. Plus, Invisalign uses clear aligners which are practically invisible when they are on your teeth. You can wear them at work and in social situations, and most people won’t even notice. This makes Invisalign a great option for working professionals who want straighter teeth but don’t want their orthodontic treatment to become a distraction. Find Out If Invisalign Could Work For You Invisalign won’t work for everyone, but it will work for many alignment issues. If you want to know if Invisalign could improve your smile, contact any Sunrise Dental office in Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, or Raleigh. You can reach us by calling or by using the online form for the office closest to you.