Invisalign® vs. Traditional Braces

Those who have had braces in the past may cringe at the idea of wearing them again. The thought of metal wires and near-constant adjustments often keep people from re-straightening their teeth. And that doesn't begin to account for the change in diet and lifestyle.

The Invisalign® system is a series of clear aligners that sit over the top of your teeth. They're worn very discreetly and don't require regular adjustments from an orthodontist. There are no wires to poke you and no need to refrain from eating your favorite foods either. That makes them a great choice for anyone who wants the advantages of straighter teeth without any of the hassles associated with braces.

 Invisalign works by applying slow continuous pressure on the teeth. What I mean by that is sometimes with wire braces if you tighten that wire that force is dissipated among all the teeth in roughly the same direction so there is a little bit of wasted movement. With Invisalign, each tooth is in its own well. So each tooth moves independently from the other teeth -- even in opposite directions -- so there's no wasted movement.

Benefits of Invisalign®

Invisalign® offers some distinct advantages, including:

• Allowing for a more customized treatment plan. If your teeth have only shifted slightly, you may not need a full set of aligners.
• Making it easier to keep the teeth clean
• Fewer in-person visits to an orthodontist, which means less time out of your busy schedule
• Being gentle on existing dental work such as crowns and bridges

Let Invisalign® Help You Get Your Smile Back

At Westlake Dental Care, we want to help you get your old smile back. We've been very successful at helping other Sterling, VA residents do so without having to go through the pain of wearing braces again. If you'd like to see if you are a good candidate for Invisalign®, please contact us to schedule an appointment.