Studies have shown that a straight, healthy looking smile ranks as one of the biggest contributing factors to making a good first impression.

One study – conducted by researchers at Leeds and Central Lancashire University – found that when shown 150 different images of men and women, participants selected the images of those with the most evenly spaced and whitest teeth as the most attractive. When delving into the results of their study, researchers concluded that teeth are the human equivalent of a peacock’s tail – a natural sign of health and attractiveness designed to help us select a mate

For patients dealing with crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, the state of their smile can often feel like a point of embarrassment. At Santa Fe Dental, we believe that no patient should feel self-conscious when smiling, laughing, eating or drinking. That’s why we offer Invisalign orthodontic treatment to help straighten and improve a patient’s smile.

For many adult patients, the idea of wearing braces often conjures memories of their childhood. The thought of having a “metal mouth” as an adult creates a negative stigma that many older patients wish to avoid. However, with Invisalign orthodontic treatment, patients can get the healthier, straighter looking smile they desire quickly and discreetly.

To see if Invisalign is right for you, let’s take a look at a few of the many advantages Invisalign has over traditional metal braces.

Discreet Treatment

Unlike traditional metal braces that use brackets and wires to straighten a patient’s teeth, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that blend naturally into your smile.

Invisalign aligners look like a mouthguard you place over the surface of your teeth. Made from a highly durable and clear plastic, Invisalign patients can undergo their orthodontic plan discreetly with most people never knowing they undergoing treatment.

If the idea of wearing metal braces keeps you from considering the orthodontic treatment you need to improve the long-term health of your smile, then Invisalign is the right option for you.

Improved Comfort

The metal brackets and wires that get affixed to the surface of a patient’s teeth can often cause some serious discomfort. Wires can break and bend, causing them to poke the delicate soft tissue of your cheeks and gums. Brackets can rub irritatingly against your lips and cheeks, causing frequent cuts and sores.

Additionally, for metal braces to work properly, patients need to regularly visit their orthodontist to have their braces tighten and readjusted. Readjustments often cause patients to experience headaches and tooth and jaw pain for several hours or days after each orthodontist visit.

Invisalign clear plastic aligners are custom-built to fit comfortably over your teeth. No wires, no bracket. No pitching, no irritation. That’s the Invisalign difference.

Fewer Office Visits

As we just mentioned, traditional braces require monthly trips to the orthodontist to ensure that treatment remains on the right course.

With Invisalign, patients simply replace their current aligner with a new one every one to two weeks. This helps free up time in a busy schedule as the number of trips you need to make to our Santa Fe Dental office is significantly less than what patients with metal braces need to make to their orthodontist.

Eat What You Want

Patient who wear metal braces have a number of food items they must avoid. Since Invisalign aligners are removed before eating, you don’t have to make any changes to your diet. All of your favorite foods and drinks remain on the menu when you undergo Invisalign treatment.

Improved Oral Health

Patients with metal braces must use special tools and brushes to properly clean their teeth. As with eating, patients simply remove their aligner before brushing and flossing.

Keeping your teeth clean through quality oral hygiene is incredibly important for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. With Invisalign, you can brush and floss like normal, and not worry about food and bacteria being trapped under or on your orthodontic appliance.

Your Santa Fe Invisalign Dentist

To find out more about whether Invisalign is right for you, contact our office to schedule your Invisalign consultation with the team at Santa Fe dental.