For many adult patients with crooked teeth, appearance means a lot. The way crooked teeth make their smiles look can be a big motivator to straightening them. Yet, the appearance of conventional metal braces might also make some patients hesitate to undergo the treatment they need. At our Des Moines, IA, dental office, we can help many patients enjoy the straighter and more attractive smiles they deserve without having to wear metal braces to achieve it. With Invisalign® clear aligners, straightening crooked teeth can be a much more discreet and convenient process.

Clear aligners aren’t bonded to your teeth

The biggest difference between Invisalign® and traditional orthodontics is that Invisalign® doesn’t rely on brackets and wires to straighten crooked teeth. With traditional braces, brackets have to be semi-permanently bonded to teeth. This enables them to move your teeth into straighter positions over the course of your treatment. By contrast, Invisalign® moves your teeth through the use of a series of clear aligners. Each aligner is worn for a couple of weeks as it guides your teeth to a certain degree, then changed for the next aligner in the series.

You don’t need an arch wire to move your teeth

Because there are no brackets on clear aligners, there is also no need for an arch wire to straighten your teeth. Traditional braces involve the routine tightening of the arch wire, which is connected to the brackets that are bonded to your teeth. Without the need for this process, Invisalign® clear aligners often requires fewer routine maintenance visits throughout your treatment, as well as greater comfort for your teeth and oral tissues.

You can keep your teeth clean easier

It doesn’t usually take long to get used to feeling and appearance of orthodontic bracket-and-wire braces. However, their presence can also impact more than just your comfort and confidence. Orthodontic treatment often takes up to 18-24 months to complete, and maintaining excellent hygiene practices throughout that time is vital to keeping your smile healthy. With orthodontic braces, this involves cleaning around your brackets and wires using additional hygiene tools, such as an interdental cleaner. However, with Invisalign®, you can temporarily remove your aligners to more efficiently clean your teeth of food particles and oral bacterial every day.

Learn how you can benefit from Invisalign®

There are many different benefits to Invisalign®, and a lot of them deal with more than just the appearance of your orthodontic treatment. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Burds by calling Gateway Dental Group in downtown Des Moines, IA, at (515) 244-9565.