In recent years the popularity of clear aligners offered by Invisalign has skyrocketed as more and more people realize how attractive it is compared to traditional metal braces. But while Invisalign does have many advantages it has disadvantages too – and before you decide whether or not to use it you should know a bit about both.

Advantages of Invisalign

The main advantages of Invisalign include:

• Looks good

Invisalign’s clear aligners are much less noticeable than any other type of braces. It is almost completely invisible and most people won’t even notice that you’re wearing them.

• No dietary restrictions

Unlike traditional braces, you don’t need to worry about what you eat and drink while Invisalign fixes the alignment of your teeth. All you need to do is remove the aligner while you’re eating or drinking and then pop it back in immediately afterwards.

• Easy to brush and floss

Because Invisalign can be removed, it is easy to brush and floss. That is especially the case compared to traditional metal braces that require you to work around the wires and brackets.

• Fewer and faster dental appointments

With Invisalign you only need to go in to the orthodontist every so often to have your teeth checked and get new aligners. There are no adjustments that need to be made, and most appointments should only last five to ten minutes.

• Much more comfortable

Generally speaking, Invisalign is a much more comfortable option. It won’t irritate your gums and teeth nor will you have to worry about loose wires that could cut into the inside of your cheeks.

Based on these advantages it should be easy to see why Invisalign is so popular. But as much as it does have a lot going for it – there are some drawbacks too.

Disadvantages of Invisalign

Although Invisalign has many advantages, it does have some disadvantages – namely:

• Not universally effective

While Invisalign can effectively treat many alignment issues – it may not be able to treat complex tooth alignment or bite problems. To find out whether or not Invisalign is a viable option for your teeth you should consult an Invisalign Birmingham orthodontist.

• Requires discipline

For Invisalign to be effective, you need to be disciplined and follow the rules. Simply put you need to strictly wear the aligners at least 22 hours a day, clean them, and replace them on schedule.

• Speaking may take practice

When you first put in your aligners you may need some time to get used to them – especially when it comes to speaking. It can be difficult to pronounce certain words at first, and it’ll take a bit of practice before you get used to it.

• Cost may vary

Nowadays Invisalign is a lot cheaper than it used to be, but it is still a little bit more expensive compared to traditional braces. Because the cost may vary it is best if you consult an orthodontist and find out how much it will cost. At the same time you may want to also look into whether or not your dental insurance will cover it.

As you can see none of these disadvantages are deal breakers – provided of course that Invisalign is a viable treatment option in the first place. Now that you know what the pros and cons of Invisalign are, you should be able to decide whether or not you’re interested in finding out more about it.