The most popular way to straighten teeth today is Invisalign. If you’re a teen or adult searching for a discreet and comfortable way to achieve a beautiful smile, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign.
Invisalign involves wearing a clear set of aligners for at least 22 hours a day and replacing them every two weeks. These aligners will gradually shift your teeth into their proper positions. You can remove them to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
Many patients at Gladwell Orthodontics love Invisalign because it allows them to improve their smiles without any hassle or discomfort. It’s also virtually invisible to the naked eye so they don’t have to make their orthodontic treatment obvious. Also, most Invisalign treatment plans only take about a year to complete.
The other day, Dr. Gladwell had a patients who asked “Can Invisalign replace my braces halfway through treatment?” The answer to this question is no. Although Invisalign and traditional metal braces have the same end goal of leaving patients with straight, healthy teeth, they work differently.
A metal braces treatment plan is designed differently than an Invisalign treatment plan. Therefore, if you already have braces, it is in your best interest to continue wearing them until you have completed your treatment. Switching to Invisalign may prolong your treatment time so it’s better to just finish things off with your braces.
If your braces are bothering you for any reason, an orthodontist like Dr. Gladwell will be happy to evaluate your mouth and provide some good recommendations. There are many ways you can make your braces more comfortable.
Contact Gladwell Orthodontics
If you have questions about traditional metal braces or Invisalign we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Gladwell Orthodontics. Call us today at (919) 453-6325. We look forward to hearing from you!
