At our Arlington Heights dentist office, we help patients resolve many dental concerns including crooked or misaligned teeth. Often, patients with orthodontic concerns avoid pursuing their treatment options because they do not want to deal with the inconveniences associated with traditional orthodontic solutions. Our office offers clear braces as an alternative to traditional metal braces. Learn why many patients prefer clear braces to metal braces below:
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces require metallic brackets and wires to be firmly attached to a patient’s dental structures for the entire duration of their treatment plan. Orthodontic treatment of any kind can take several months or even years. With metal braces, patients must make certain lifestyle alterations to avoid damaging their orthodontic hardware. If the orthodontic hardware becomes damaged, this interferes with their treatment plan and can prolong the end results. To protect metal braces from becoming damaged, patients need to abide by certain dietary restrictions, avoiding excessively crunchy or chewy foods.
Metal braces can also complicate your at-home oral hygiene routine. Because the orthodontic hardware is firmly secured to your teeth, you will need to learn how to brush and floss around the metallic brackets and wires. Patients with metal braces much take extra care to ensure that no food particles are caught in the orthodontic hardware.
Clear Braces in Arlington Heights, IL
Our Arlington Heights dentist office offers clear braces through Invisalign as an alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign utilizes a system of clear, plastic aligners that apply pressure to your teeth and encourage them to shift into a straighter position over time. Worn like a retainer, the aligners are completely see-through while in use meaning no one has to know that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Perfect for working professionals or young adults, patients love Invisalign because it is a discreet alternative to metal braces.
Invisalign aligners are removable, which brings a ton of benefits to the patient experience. Simply remove the aligners to eat or drink anything other than water. Once you’ve finished eating, you should reapply your aligners. As long as you wear your aligners on average of 20-22 hours per day, your treatment plan will progress as intended. Patients may also remove their aligners to brush and floss their teeth as they usually would. The plastic aligners are easy to clean as well. Many patients prefer clear braces because they do not present similar oral hygiene hazards that metal braces present.
Schedule An Appointment
If you are hoping to avoid the need for traditional metal braces, schedule an appointment with our Arlington Heights dentist office. Invisalign is recommended for patients with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. Some orthodontic concerns may require more intensive treatment with metal braces. The best way to find out if this treatment is right for you is to meet with Dr. Engelberg and discuss your needs and goals.