Irvine patients who use Invisalign to straighten their teeth, rather than traditional metal braces, are not just getting prettier smiles. They also receive benefits not often associated with braces, such as better comfort and improved oral health. For many people in Irvine who want straighter teeth, the comfort factor is huge. Fixed appliances must be adjusted approximately every six weeks, at which time they are tightened in order to apply the force necessary to shift a tooth in a certain direction. This can cause headaches, jaw tension, sensitivity, and other problems. Invisalign patients, however, do not usually see these side effects. As they transition from one aligner to the next every two to three weeks, the pressure exerted on individual teeth is much less. That means your teeth can be shifted into place gradually and without much force.
People in Irvine who have had traditional braces know just how much of a hassle it is to brush and floss around all those wires and brackets. Sometimes special tools are required to get in and around hard to reach places. This can be frustrating, and often leads to lower quality dental hygiene on the part of the patient. With Invisalign, Irvine patients can simply remove their clear plastic aligner to brush and floss like they normally would. No drastic changes to your dental hygiene routine are required. In fact, people who use Invisalign may even see some improvement in their dental hygiene. Every time you remove your aligner, such as when you are eating, you are encouraged to clean both your teeth and the aligner before putting it back in. This often leads to more frequent brushing, which in turn leads to stronger, healthier teeth.
If you want straighter teeth, schedule an appointment today at Rice Dentistry in Irvine to learn how Invisalign can benefit you.