Common Misconceptions About Invisalign Everyone Thinks Are True

St. Paul, MN – Invisalign is the modern and clear alternative to traditional metal braces. While the plastic aligner trays have been straightening over 4 million smiles since the year 2000, the public remains largely unaware of the facts surrounding the innovative orthodontic treatment.

Your St. Paul/Minneapolis orthodontist always makes a point to schedule a consultation with patients before advising orthodontic treatment. It’s during those consultations that she hears a number of misconceptions about the clear braces technology.

“It might be rumor or misaligned assumptions, but I hear a lot of things that just aren’t true about Invisalign. I’d like to set the story straight.”

Here are some of the most commonly mistaken Invisalign facts that your doctor hears in her St. Paul orthodontic office.

Misconception #1: The Invisalign Trays Are Uncomfortable

Wearers of traditional braces will usually complain about headaches and other discomforts as they get used to wearing the series of brackets and wires on their teeth. Invisalign also has a “getting used to” period, but it’s not nearly as severe.

“Patients who wear Invisalign may have trouble speaking clearly, and there can be some discomfort while the teeth are gradually moving into position, but the discomfort is slight and doesn’t last,” says your doctor.

“In fact,” she adds,” the aligner trays were designed to be comfortable.”

Misconception #2: Food Gets Caught Between the Trays

Braces wearers constantly get food stuck in their teeth. The wires and brackets act as a net, which can easily capture food particles and bacteria, exacerbating dental problems.

Invisalign wearers are advised to take their aligner trays out before eating. Patients are then advised to brush and floss before putting the trays back in.

“Proper oral care will keep food from being trapped between your teeth and Invisalign,” your doctor says. “That’s why I always recommend that my patients carry a toothbrush and floss everywhere they go. They never know when an impromptu meal may require a quick oral care session.”

Misconception #3: Invisalign Doesn’t Work as Well as Traditional Braces

Invisalign has been shown to effectively treat a variety of bite issues such as crowding, crossbites, overbites, and underbites. The system involves a series of the plastic trays that are each uniquely designed to move the teeth into a specific bite pattern. The trays are replaced every few weeks until treatment is finished, and by that time the patient’s smile will be straight and the bite problem repaired.

Your ORTHODONTIST says, “While Invisalign can’t help some patients with severe bite issues, the clear trays can be used to fix many common bite issues. That represents the majority of the patients that come into my office.”

Misconception #4: The Trays Start Looking Old After a While

The clear thermoplastic that Invisalign is made of can warp when exposed to extremely high temperatures and can appear darker when exposed to a variety of staining agents.

Your ORTHODONTIST says, “The plastic must be cared for properly if you want your Invisalign trays to remain nice throughout treatment.”

She advises her patients to rinse and brush the trays with lukewarm water and to avoid drinking dark colored liquids like red wine, coffee, and tea while the aligners are still in the mouth.

“The clear aligners are virtually invisible and will remain that way if you take care of them like you’re supposed to,” she says.

Misconception #5: You Have to be an Adult to Wear Invisalign

While your doctor does serve a large number of adults in her St. Paul orthodontic office, she does offer a service known as Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign Teen is designed for teenagers who may be self-conscious about wearing traditional braces at such a young age.

“A teenager is trying so hard to fit in,” says your ORTHODONTIST, “and traditional braces may make it harder to do so.

“With Invisalign, teens can play sports and hang out with friends without having to worry about braces getting in the way.”

These are just a few of the incorrect facts about Invisalign that your doctor hears in her practice on a daily basis. If you have misconceptions about Invisalign and would like to get the real story, contact a St. Paul Invisalign specialist at https://orthodonticsstpaul.com/contact-us/.

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