Getting crooked teeth into their proper position is easier and more discreet than ever before!
At Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R in Boca Raton, FL, you have many options available to you without having to resort to standard metal braces.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at two of them!
How To Choose Between Invisalign & Lingual Braces
Here’s a clear comparison of the general pros and cons of both Invisalign and lingual braces. Once you have a better sense of what each option involves, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about which would suit you best!
*The Pros Of Invisalign*
They really changed the game with Invisalign therapy!
Until this option came along, you really didn’t have many choices when it came to correcting the cosmetic problem of crooked teeth outside of brackets and wires.
But now, thanks to Invisalign, you can avoid so many of the drawbacks often associated to traditional braces.
One of the reasons for that is because Invisalign uses clear mouth trays, or aligners, that you wear over your teeth, which is far less conspicuous! In fact, you can barely see them at all.
Another bonus is that the clear aligners are smooth and comfortable inside your mouth, so you don’t have to deal with sharp ends of wires scraping your cheeks, tongue, and lips.
You can also maintain the same oral care you always have because you can take the aligners out to brush and floss.
That also means you can take them out to eat so you don’t have to restrict your diet during treatment. In about 12 months or less, you’ll be down to your last set of aligners and you finish with beautiful, straight teeth!
*The Cons Of Invisalign*
Invisalign is so comfortable and convenient, it’s hard to think about things you might not like about the treatment process itself. But if we had to pick one, it’d be that it’s not a practical option for those patients who have really complicated bite problems.
For particularly complex jaw and bite issues, you may find success with a more traditional orthodontic treatment like braces, as well as surgical orthodontics, if necessary.
Invisalign is more suitable for mild to moderate cases where teeth are improperly positioned.
*The Pros Of Lingual Braces*
It’s remarkable how far orthodontics have come in recent years because of advanced technology. Until fairly recently, who would have thought there’d be a truly invisible way to wear braces?
Lingual braces aren’t something you can find in most dental offices, which is why we’re so glad our orthodontists have the extensive training and experience to offer them to our patients in the Boca Raton, FL region.
Traditional braces you’re used to seeing are bonded to the front of each tooth.
Lingual braces, on the other hand, are placed on the back side of your teeth so they’re completely hidden from view! Throughout the course of treatment, you’ll see more and more progress in the positioning of your teeth until all of them are straight and the gaps have completely closed. So in terms of results, you’re getting the same great-looking smile, just using a different method.
Another benefit to lingual braces at Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R is that we can use state-of-the-art robotics as part of your treatment preparation to get the most precise results possible. The best part about the accuracy of this design innovation is that it can actually cut your overall treatment time by as much as a third compared to traditional strategies.
Similar to the advantages of Invisalign, lingual braces allow you to get a stunning smile without sacrificing your appearance or risk compromising your professional image. This makes it another great option for adults who are finally ready to straighten their teeth!
*The Cons Of Lingual Braces
Like any dental treatment, there are things to consider before you decide on the orthodontic strategy that’s best for you, your tastes, and your lifestyle.
With lingual braces being used on the other side of your teeth, you may find the brackets and wires affect your speech in some way. It’s not something that affects everyone, but for those who do notice a difference in their speech, we find that this is only a temporary issue. Once you’ve had a week or two to adjust to the feeling of brackets and wires so close to your tongue, you’ll start to find it easier and easier to resume normal, comfortable speech.
Another issue you could run into, at least initially, is some soreness on your tongue as you adjust to wearing lingual braces. As you get used to it, we can provide special wax just like with standard braces to place anywhere on your brackets and wires that rub against your tongue. You may even find relief by rinsing your mouth out with salt water just like if you were healing from a common tooth extraction procedure.
Finally, just like with traditional braces, you’ll need to get used to practicing great oral hygiene every single day so that food particles don’t get too cozy in your lingual braces. And since they’re on the back of your teeth, you may want to invest in a small dental mirror so you can easily check to make sure you’ve cleaned your teeth thoroughly.
All of these are just part of that initial adjustment period common to any type of orthodontic treatment.
Schedule An Appointment
In Boca Raton, FL, your place for high-quality orthodontics is Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R.
Dr. Wohlgemuth and Dr. Rothstein are specifically trained to provide the best, most innovative orthodontic treatments that will result in the smile you want in the most efficient, comfortable, and affordable way possible for you and your family. We’ll make sure you’re well-informed about Invisalign, lingual braces, or any of our other smile strategies so you’re getting the right one for your needs.
We always begin the process with a complimentary consultation so you can feel free to explore our diverse options and understand the pros and cons of each. Together, we can come to a decision you’ll be comfortable with.
Let us help you decide on how to get your dream smile! Call Smiles by Dr. W & Dr. R at 561-327-6775 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule your complimentary consultation.
