Removable Braces: Why They Are Attractive To Adult Patients
Factors such as improved technology, more aesthetic brace designs and less invasive treatment periods are all reasons why more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. Removable braces have been a significant part of the surge in adults wanting to treat widely spaced, misaligned, crooked teeth and bite issues. One such removable brace is Invisalign clear aligners, the transparent and custom made appliance that promote flexibility and freedom for the patient. We explore some of the principal reasons why they are a global phenomenon.
No need for uncomfortable alginate impressions
One of the most dreaded aspects of having traditional braces created is having to have alginate impressions, or moulds of your teeth, which are used as a basis for the design of the brace. The Invisalign system works in conjunction with an iTero, a digital scanner that takes the impressions needed to design the aligners, with a simple scan as opposed to using the uncomfortable and gag-reflex inducing impression material associated with traditional impressions. This means less time spent in the dentist’s chair and a much less invasive experience.
Removable braces don’t limit your diet
Fixed braces include brackets as part of their design, acting as handles and holding the arch wires that move the teeth into a desired position. The intricacies of the wires and brackets mean that certain foods are off limits as they have the potential to become stuck in the brace hardware or indeed damage the brace, especially hard foods. In the case of removable braces such as Invisalign, patients have the freedom to remove the appliance for 2 hours each day and use this time to eat meals without jeopardising their treatment or needing to find alternatives to their diet. Today, an increasing amount of us here in the UK are embracing diets such as vegetarian and keto with veganism being predicted to see a 327% increase by 2020.
Easy to care for your teeth during treatment
As discussed in the paragraph above, Invisalign allows for 2 hours each day where the patient can remove the brace, which makes brushing and flossing much easier than where fixed brace models are concerned. As you can brush and floss as normal, there is no need to invest additional time into your dental hygiene routine which patient wearing fixed braces commit to due to it being challenging to reach food particles that become stuck in their brace, exposing them to a higher chance of developing plaque and tartar throughout treatment.
A discreet design modelled for your smile
As discussed above, impressions are taken in order to create aligners that are a perfect fit for your tooth structure. Invisalign are transparent and therefore barely visible to others and since they effectively ‘hug’ your teeth, they blend in with your smile, fitting perfectly around each individual tooth.
With treatments such as Invisalign putting the patient’s needs at the forefront, it’s no wonder why the British Orthodontic Society saw an 80% increase in adult treatment in 2018. Contact our friendly and welcoming team here in Lewisham to book your appointment today.
