As a kid my teeth were jacked. I mean, that is the only way I can really say it. I had a giant gap in between my front two teeth, my bite was all off, and my eye teeth did that thing where they grew on top of the baby teeth – you know, way up above the gum line.
It was not pretty.
I didn’t think too much about my awful teeth. The only thing I thought about, or worried about, was the dreaded dentist visit when he would tell me and my mom it was time to see an orthodontist. At every visit, I prayed this visit would not be the one.
I knew braces were coming, and I was scared. I never thought about how having a nice smile would change my life, my attitude, or improve my self-confidence, I just worried about how those metal braces would make me look. There was no such thing as clear braces at the time, I worried about getting teased, or wearing some weird appliance that would make me look uncool.
Because these are the things a 13-year-old worries about.
Clear Braces Would Have Made Things Easier
I didn’t know it at my first consultation, but my journey with braces would be a tough one. I still cringe when I think about biting on that cement tool to get those spacers in between my molars. But that was just the beginning.
I had a bite plate, which was like a thick retainer that made me talk with a huge lisp.
I had HEAD GEAR that I had to wear 14 hours a day. I tried to wear it at night, but it was so uncomfortable, after a while, I just didn’t wear it at all.
And then I had rubber bands. Those weren’t as bad as the other appliances, but they were still annoying.
In fact, the whole experience was annoying. Every four weeks, I’d go to get my braces tightened. I’d be in pain for about 2 or 3 days, and then gradually get used to the new tightness in my mouth.
Also? I looked completely uncool. Clear braces were not an option at the time, but boy did I dream about them.
Invisalign Straightens Teeth Without Braces
I recently had the opportunity to learn more about Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. The Invisalign system uses a series of removable, clear aligners made of lightweight plastic that sit smoothly on the teeth allowing for a more comfortable fit and they work as effectively as traditional metal braces.
Because the aligners can be removed, kids and adults can eat, brush and floss as they would normally. Teens can smile with confidence while straightening their teeth since this treatment, unlike traditional metal braces, is virtually invisible.
Though my kids are small, if genetics tells us anything, they will most likely need their teeth straightened. And, as a mom who went through 2 1/2 years of those old-school metal braces, I feel confident knowing Invisalign is an option for my own kids.
When compared to metal (or even ceramic wire and bracket) braces, a clear aligner option like Invisalign has many advantages. Although the cost is roughly about the same as traditional braces, the Invisalign treatment usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments and no “emergency” visits for broken wires or brackets. Metal wires and brackets can cause irritation or even accident-related injuries, especially for teens involved in sports.
Invisalign Comparison to Braces
But could Invisalign have treated my totally jacked up teeth?
Well, it’s difficult to say now, 23 years after I’ve had my braces off, but probably.
There have been revolutionary breakthroughs in orthodontia with the use of digital imaging to take dental impressions for teeth straightening with Invisalign. No more goopy molds to gag on, now with digital scanners like iTero, patients are comfortable while taking dental impressions and the orthodontist is able to receive precise 3D imagery through the use of an iTero wand to create a teeth straightening treatment plan with Invisalign.
Invisalign’s treatment capabilities are not limited to mild cosmetic cases. My jacked up eye teeth that were way above my gum line? They probably could have fixed that.
Today, Invisalign can effectively correct a broad range of more complex cases such as: overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, open bite, crossbite, overbite and underbite.
Visit the Invisalign website to learn about all of the dental issues Invisalign can treat. And, if you have any questions, hit up the Invisalign team on Twitter or Facebook.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and words are my own.
