You remember that feeling. The way your brace would irritate the inside of your mouth when you were a teenager.

You also remember the soreness you used to feel each time your braces were adjusted. And you missed eating many foods that you loved. You might have even learned that lesson the hard way (no pun intended) when you did eat something crunchy and it broke one of your archwires.

Today, you are looking at another round of orthodontic care. Maybe it’s for your own teenage child. Maybe it’s because you didn’t wear your retainers, and now your teeth are shifting back to their original crooked positions.

You could help your child avoid those issues or avoid them for yourself by using Invisalign clear aligners instead. This is just one of the many cosmetic services we offer at Smiles by Dr. Chai in The Woodlands, TX.

Call 281-367-5900 to schedule a consultation.

Choose A More Comfortable Option

Braces can be a very effective way to change your smile. People have successfully used some form of brackets and wires to move their teeth for centuries.

At the same time, many people find braces uncomfortable. As we noted above, metal braces can be irritating to the soft tissues of your mouth.

Another risk with braces is that the wires can break. This can cause them to poke into the inside your mouth, your lips, or your gums. Any of these is uncomfortable and it requires a special dental visit to repair.

With Invisalign, you skip the brackets and wires. Instead, you receive a custom-designed set of plastic aligners. This have smooth edges, so they don’t rub you the wrong way like braces can. Plus, each aligner is one piece, so you don’t have smaller parts that can break.

Be Clear About Your Goals

If many adult patients are being honest, a big reason they don’t want to wear braces is because, well, braces are pretty noticeable. This can make many people hesitant to wear them even if they do want straighter teeth.

Invisalign provides a discreet alternative that can work on a number of issues including crooked and crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, and bite problems (such as overbites and underbites).

Since the aligners are custom-made for each patient, they are designed to fit your teeth at each stage of your treatment. Because they are transparent, they are much less noticeable than braces.

Eat What You Want

As we alluded to at the beginning of today’s post, you should avoid certain foods when you are wearing braces. Foods that are hard and crunchy can cause wires to break. Sticky foods can get stuck and removing the food can lead to brackets coming off. As a result, you may need to give up some of your favorite snacks during your treatment.

With Invisalign, you can simply remove your aligners during meals. That means you can eat what you would like. Just remember to brush your teeth and clean your aligner before you put it back in your mouth.

Is Invisalign right for you or someone you care about? To find out, schedule a consultation at Smiles by Dr. Chai. Call 281-367-5900 or contact us online.