Straight teeth don’t just look nice. They are also better for you in multiple ways. This is why our dentists offer Invisalign® at our offices in Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and Cary. Invisalign is effective on a number of alignment issues like crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and overbite. But unlike more traditional orthodontic treatments, you don’t have to have brackets and wire affixed to your teeth for years at a time. Instead, you can wear removable aligners to accomplish the same results in a more comfortable and convenient way. Every year, millions of people begin orthodontic treatment with the aim of making them teeth looking nicer. We hope you will consider the other benefits as well. We also hope you will contact the nearest Sunrise Dental to find out if “clear braces” can help you improve your smile. Oral Health Before we get into the advantages of using Invisalign when compared to traditional braces, we want to make sure you understand why dentists see orthodontic care as worthwhile. A person with misaligned teeth can be more likely to develop cavities or gum disease. This depends on the specific alignment issues that you may be dealing with, but it is true. Let’s say your teeth are crowded together. You can’t really clean the space between your teeth with a toothbrush. Yet bacteria and food particles can still get in there. If your teeth are too tight, you may not be able to remove the food piece with dental floss either. This is perfect for the bacteria that create tooth decay and gum disease. They grow in those spaces unaffected by your daily oral hygiene routine. A similar situation can occur if your teeth overlap one another. If one tooth blocks part of another, you may have spaces that never get brushed adequately. Bite issues can create their own problems. You may experience greater wear and tear on some teeth based on how your teeth fit together. If you teeth rub together in uncommon ways, you may wear down the protective enamel on the outside of your teeth. This too can leave those more vulnerable to decay. By making your teeth straight, you will be able to scrub more of their surface area when you brush. Likewise, you will be able to fit dental floss or another interdental cleaner in the space between your teeth to remove food particles that have become stuck. Mental Health Admittedly, this is related to the primary reason most people seek orthodontic care. Making your teeth look straight also makes your smile look nicer. For some patients, this is a bigger deal than it is for others. A teenager or an adult who has been self-conscious about his or her teeth may avoid situations when other people may see their teeth. Likewise, they may be hesitant to speak up when they have a good idea to share with their friends or coworkers. When these patients straighten their teeth, they are doing more than transforming their smiles. They are boosting their self-confidence. This can give them the courage to apply for college, apply for a job, or just to speak up for themselves. We aren’t saying that Invisalign or other orthodontic treatments will affect everyone in the same way emotionally. Yet, we have seen in our own office how much of a difference it can make for some individuals. Why You Should Try Invisalign First and foremost, many patients can achieve the same results with Invisalign that they can with braces. We will only recommend Invisalign if we believe it can make the changes that you want to make. With that said, we want to consider the advantages of using Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth: ★ You can remove the aligners up to two hours per day. ★ You won’t have to give up any of your favorite foods with Invisalign. ★ The aligners are made of smooth plastic, so you won’t scratch your mouth on brackets or wires. ★ The aligners are clear, which makes them virtually invisible when you are wearing them. Schedule A Consultation The best way to get answers to your questions about Invisalign is to set up a consultation at any Sunrise Dental location. We can evaluate your teeth and let you know if Invisalign will work for you. When you are ready, we can help you get your aligners so you can begin your journey to your new smile. To make your appointment, contact any of our four dentist offices. We have locations in Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and Cary.