At the age of six, the baby teeth fall out, and permanent teeth grow in their place. In an ideal world, they grow in straight and even. However, that is not the case for everyone, seeing as some people have tooth gaps or crooked teeth. The good news is that these problems can be remedied to create the conditions for a perfect set of teeth. Invisalign and braces are the most popular tooth alignment methods.

invisalign versus braces

Why is Tooth Alignment Important?

Straight teeth go beyond cosmetic dentistry because crowded teeth and widely spaced teeth can result in red or swollen gums. Teeth that have been properly aligned act as the first line of defense against gum disease because they are easier to clean, and the food does not get trapped and cause decay. In addition, straightened teeth take care of issues such as improper bite, difficulties chewing, speech and greater wear on tooth enamel.

Braces and What They Do

Initially, braces were metal tracks, but the braces of today are less noticeable. Also, they are more comfortable to wear. Braces consist of three main components:

  • Brackets
  • Bonding
  • Archwire

Brackets attach to each tooth, and there is a bonding which attaches the bracket to the teeth. The final part is called archwire. This thin metal wire reaches from one bracket to the next, and the wire is attached to the bracket, which gets attached to the tooth. In other words, the wire causes the teeth to move into place bit by bit until they have reached the right position.

Invisalign Clear Braces and What They Do

Created as an alternative to braces, Invisalign clear braces straighten the teeth without needing brackets or wires. These braces received their name from being almost invisible. Invisalign uses computers to generate images of flawlessly aligned teeth. The Monroe dentist takes a couple of pictures to understand your teeth patterns, and then he adjusts the aligners to gently coax uneven teeth. With Invisalign clear braces, the aligners will be worn for two weeks before a different set is given to keep moving the teeth toward a perfect alignment.

At Monroe Family Dentistry our dentist will choose whether Invisalign or braces is the better choice. However, Invisalign has become a more popular method because people can enjoy the foods they want without it getting trapped in the braces. While it might seem like cosmetic dentistry because it improves your smile, braces are a good choice because they make your teeth straighter and easier to protect.

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