Invisalign was introduced to American dental patients in 1999 with the promise of delivering a perfectly aligned smile. And since then, over 5 million people have opted to wear the nation’s leading clear aligner straightening treatment in lieu of traditional braces. If you still believe Invisalign is little more than a cosmetic fix, you’re not alone… but you’d be very wrong. The truth is, while Invisalign does deliver on its promises to provide an aesthetic smile solution, it works wonders on several moderate dental issues. But why is Invisalign more than a cosmetic cure?
Invisalign Corrects Bite Issues
There’s a difference between cosmetic misalignment and functional misalignment. Braces of all kind, whether traditional metal or clear aligners are meant to align teeth and provide a perfect appearance. But they also repair serious functional issues in the process. Invisalign is specifically designed to correct bite issues and spacing issues. These may include overbites, underbites, cross bites, open bites, diastema/gaps, and overly crowded teeth.
Invisalign Helps Eliminate TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the upper jaw (maxilla) to the lower jaw (mandible). When the joint is working correctly, the jaw acts as a hinge and slides effortlessly, allowing you to eat, talk, and breathe without difficulty. But like any other joint in the human body, the TMJ can be over-worn, swell, become sore, or even fracture. Sudden or consistent pain in or around the joint is often a sign of TMJ disorder. The causes can vary from genetics or injury to night grinding/bruxism. The latter is all-too-common and can’t be treated with over-the-counter pain medicine. But Invisalign can act as a shield, allowing your bite to be corrected while giving your jaw a much-needed break from the unintentional abuse.
Invisalign Helps Deter Gum Recession
Crooked teeth provide extra places for bacteria to hide in the mouth. This allows decay to form easier, especially when proper oral health care habits aren’t followed to a tee. Gum disease often follows and gum recession is a major sign and permanent symptom of that disease. Invisalign straightens the teeth which lower the risk of gum recession. It also helps encourage and re-train proper oral health care so worries of gum disease and its health-related consequences are kicked to the curb.
Invisalign Improves Confidence and Helps Expand Life Opportunities
Over 70% of Americans believe changing one physical aspect about themselves would significantly improve their confidence. And over 40% of adults insist feeling more confident leads to higher levels of intelligence or intellectual retention and professional success. Moreover, almost 80% of adults admit having their teeth straightened gave them the boost needed to reach a goal or personal achievement that they had never been able to achieve before. So straight teeth provide more than a pretty smile that you can be proud of displaying on social media.
As much as many of us wish this wasn’t true, appearance matters in life. And studies show that an attractive smile can open doors and raise success rates for social, romantic, and professional success. But it’s more than simply a pleasant appearance, it’s due to the confidence behind that smile. Give My Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist a call when you’re ready to experience the functional benefits of a perfectly aligned smile.
