Conventional braces are very noticeable and most people feel self-conscious with them. Kids often get teased with taunts like “brace face” and “metal mouth which can severely damage their self-esteem and affect their social life.
Even if you’re an adult with braces, it’s no picnic. Braces are associated with childhood so having braces as an adult can affect how others view you in professional settings. What’s worse is that metal braces can affect your speech and make it difficult to pronounce certain words or you may develop a temporary lisp.
Invisible braces or aligners are made of clear plastic that fit on top of your teeth, and since they are custom made for your teeth, they are pretty much invisible!
5 Reasons Why Invisible Braces Are Trending
Lower Cost
Aesthetic appeal is a huge part of why people prefer invisible braces but so is the cost. Traditional metal braces typically cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500 but you can get invisible braces for a fraction of the cost – some options cost less than $1,000!
Many brands also offer financing options with monthly payments so that you don’t need to spend months saving up for them. A comparison of the best brands of affordable invisible braces will help you weigh the pros and cons of each brand so that you can pick one that suits your needs.
Little to No Pain
Metal braces can be uncomfortable and even painful, especially after each adjustment. They also scrape against the inside of your cheeks which can cause soreness or even cuts in multiple areas. Invisible braces are smooth and fit over your teeth so there is no chance of it scraping your cheeks.
The way that invisible braces work is that you will wear a set of custom-made braces for a week or more before moving on to the next set. Each set will slowly move your teeth into the right position with steady pressure but it’s so gentle that many people doubt that it’s working until they move to their next set.
No Headaches
Although not everyone with metal braces experiences headaches, it remains a common side effect. Metal braces apply a lot of pressure on the teeth to realign them which can strain the muscles and tissues of the jaw which then results in a headache. Sometimes these headaches can last for several days until the jaw pain decreases.
You are more likely to suffer from a headache when the braces are first applied and when they are adjusted. The pressure from invisible braces is much less than metal braces which is they do not cause jaw pain or headaches.
No Food Restrictions
Metal braces come with a lot of food restrictions. For the first few days after your braces have been applied and each time that they are adjusted, your teeth will be so sensitive that you will find it difficult to chew even soft foods.
You will be advised to stick with foods like mashed potato, yogurt, soups, and soft steamed vegetables until the pain subsides. Even after the pain subsides, you will need to avoid a lot of foods including ice cream, popcorn, candy, bagels, pretzels, chips and other hard foods.
This wouldn’t be too bad if you only had to stick with it for a few months but treatment with metal braces lasts anywhere from 18 months to 3 years, depending on your teeth. On the other hand, if you have invisible braces, all you need to do is pop them out before each meal and then put them back on when you’re done – it’s that simple!
Less Effort but Better Results
Anyone who has had metal braces will tell you how difficult it was for them to maintain good oral hygiene while they had them. It’s easy for food particles to get stuck in the braces and it’s also tough to manage brushing and flossing when you have braces.
This often leads to plaque build-up and cavities. Invisible braces are not attached to your teeth which means that you can easily pop them in and out of your mouth whenever you need to brush your teeth or floss. Studies show that people with clear braces have less plaque and significantly less gingival inflammation compared to those who have metal braces.
