Braces have come along way from those embarrassing 'metal mouth' contraptions you might remember your school friends sporting, decades ago. Although traditional metal braces are still the most common solution when it comes to correcting severe dental problems, contemporary orthodontic treatments like Invisalign braces are now available - and make the prospect of having braces far less daunting.

In the past few years, there's no wondering why Invisalign has become increasingly popular as an alternative to old-fashioned braces. Often dubbed 'invisible braces', Invisalign is a system or removable, clear plastic aligners which gradually shift the teeth into their correct position over time.

Let's look at why Invisalign be the right treatment option for you...

Why Invisalign could be the solution...

It is suitable for patients of any age (although typically we do not explore braces as an orthodontic treatment until children reach the age of 7, as their adult teeth have not yet emerged). Invisalign braces are particularly suited to people who suffer mild to moderate concerns with the alignment of their teeth, but feel hesitant about getting braces. In fact, due to the low profile of clear braces in comparison to the more obvious metal alternative, they’re an ideal solution for teenagers and adults who have been put off by the aesthetic look of traditional braces in the past. Even better — with Invisalign, patients have the opportunity to temporarily remove their braces for special occasions — meaning you don’t need to be immortalised forever with your braces on in those embarrassing family Christmas photos…).

For people who struggle with mouth irritation due to food stuck between their teeth and gums, Invisalign is a sensible way to remove the risk of obstruction and minimise any potential discomfort in the process. With standard braces, irritation often worsens as materials become wedged within the metal wires, resulting in plaque buildup, damage to the braces and pain along the gum line. It also necessitates a stringent regime of brushing immediately after meals, and avoiding some food groups altogether — which, for most people, is not always convenient.

With Invisalign braces, on the other hand, eating no longer presents an issue because you can remove your braces first ― meaning there will be minimal impact on your lifestyle or social commitments. Due to the soft plastic materials used in the aligners, you’ll also avoid the discomfort often caused by metal braces or sharp snags due to damaged wires and brace brackets.

Financially there is no reason why Invisalign treatment isn't a viable option; if you're covered for orthodontic treatment under your private health insurance policy, you will be covered for it. Like with any orthodontic treatment, an ongoing payment plan can also make the cost of your treatment more affordable (for instance, at Inner West Orthodontics we can build personalised payment plans to help patients manage any out-of-pocket expenses, in the instance where they do not have private health cover).

The exact cost of your braces will depend on the nature of the problem you're looking to correct, but generally speaking, there is little difference between the overall cost of Invisalign and that of standard braces.

When might another treatment be more suitable?

Invisalign treatment requires self-discipline. Because the aligners are removable, some people forget to put them back in after eating or when they go to bed — which can significantly prolong your period of treatment. If you think that this might become an issue for you, fixed braces may be a more appropriate treatment.

You'll also need to be extremely diligent about cleaning your Invisalign tray — regularly and thoroughly. While you'll find it's much easier to brush and care for your own teeth and gums using this system (compared to fixed braces), failing to remove bacteria from the tray itself will cause it to spread onto your teeth and lead to potential cavities. If you're particularly susceptible to plaque, know you can be a bit forgetful or think that you'll find the extra cleaning inconvenient to your lifestyle, Invisalign braces may not be for you.

That said, even traditional braces will require a high level of care in brushing and flossing, so you may decide that choosing to look after Invisalign braces is no more time consuming than other options.

All in all, Invisalign is frequently the preferred option for our patients, unfortunately it's not always the best remedy for your orthodontic concerns. If you suffer from extreme tooth misalignment, overcrowding or other complexities involving the mouth and jaw, it may not be powerful enough to remedy the problem alone. In these instances, we will recommend more traditional braces in order to minimise treatment time and get the best possible results.

Examples of situations in which we would not typically use Invisalign ^® braces involve:

• Severely rotated or angled teeth
• Serious overbites
• Large gaps in tooth spacing
• Issues associated with the development of wisdom teeth.

It can still be used in some more complicated cases in conjunction with other treatments, or with the use of attachments to the basic system. However, previous dental work (such as the installation of crowns and porcelain veneers) can make it difficult to bond these attachments to your teeth ― or is sometimes not possible at all.

If you’re experiencing minor problems with your teeth, and are unsure whether or not to seek treatment, Invisalign might be for you. Remember that if left untreated, most dental concerns will worsen over time. So avoid letting things get to the point where simple, affordable treatments are no longer an option.

To discuss the suitability of Invisalign for you and to explore alternative orthodontic solutions, come and visit Dr Anthony Pistolese for a consultation and assessment. If you're looking to explore a little more, before taking the plunge, check out our free guide to invisalign! It's got all the pros and cons to help you make the right decision for your smile.