Invisible braces or clear aligners like Invisalign are useful for a wide range of reasons. First, like traditional braces, invisible braces are also useful when it comes to teeth alignment. Second, invisible aligners are useful for those who want to straighten their teeth inconspicuously.
The most important reason to get invisible aligners relates to the straightening of misaligned, uneven, or crooked teeth — otherwise known as malocclusion. This is a condition in which your teeth are misaligned due to improper spacing or the improper development of your jaws.
In a healthy set of teeth, the upper and lower arch of your teeth should meet perfectly in the middle. However, if you suffer from malocclusion, your teeth may not meet in perfect alignment. The central line that should run through your upper and lower teeth may be misplaced, the upper teeth may stick out further than the lower teeth (overbite), the lower teeth may stick out further than the upper teeth (underbite), the overcrowding of teeth due to a narrow jaw may lead to crooked teeth, and a number of other issues may occur.
The lack of symmetry and alignment does affect the cosmetic appearance of your teeth. However, malocclusion can also harm other aspects of your body and health. The uneven distribution of bite force can lead to dental damage, you may suffer from teeth grinding, bruxism, sensitive teeth, migraines, and other issues as well.
You may wonder — aren’t there cheaper teeth correction methods that also achieve the same result?
The answer is yes, you also get the same results from other teeth correction methods like ceramic braces or metal braces. However, Invisalign braces are superior to them in the following ways:
- Invisalign braces are transparent braces that most people can’t notice unless they’re actively looking for them. This offers cosmetic benefits during the orthodontic procedure.
- Invisalign braces are removable so you can take them off when necessary, for example, while eating.
- The complete teeth correction procedure finishes within 6 to 18 months, which is far shorter than traditional braces.