It's well known that Invisalign is a faster, more effective, more hygienic and more comfortable alternative to metal braces. The relatively small additional cost of Invisalign treatments is well worth the many benefits and faster results obtained. However, were you aware that crooked teeth are more than a cosmetic issue? While it's true that straighter teeth are certainly more attractive, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign retainers can have several overall health benefits as well.

Problems Associated With Misaligned Teeth

The fact is that virtually nobody is born with perfect teeth or an ideal bite. However, for most people these are not serious issues (though for some, they may become serious later in life).

A fair number of people have teeth that are misaligned. Overbite is common; less common is "underbite", or "lantern jaw". In some patients, an extra set of teeth start to erupt, pushing existing teeth into an odd position. Occasionally, such misalignment can be the result of an injury. People can also do it to themselves by grinding or clenching their teeth frequently. There are numerous reasons why someone's bite can get out of proper alignment.

The Results of Invisalign

While the results can vary, there is always some measure of pain and discomfort. For one thing, people with cooked teeth have a tendency to bite the inner surfaces of their mouths while chewing more frequently. This is extremely painful; even worse, the area around the bite can swell, making more likely that the person will accidentally injure themselves again in the same place.

Misaligned teeth can also cause premature tooth wear on the surfaces of the teeth as these surfaces grind against each other.

One of the lesser known, but more serious complications associated with misaligned teeth is Temporo-Mandibular Jaw (TMJ) pain. This pain and discomfort not only affects the jaw, but also the neck and even the shoulders, and can cause frequent headaches ranging from mild and occasional to severe and chronic.

Why Not Just Get Braces?

You may or may not have noticed, but very few people wear metal braces anymore. The fact is that when it came to metal braces, the cure was almost as bad as the disease. Not only were these extremely uncomfortable and placed severe restrictions on what you could and could not eat, they required regular adjustments – a mildly painful procedure at best that had to be endured at least once, if not twice a month. In addition, the treatment could last for years.

Metal braces also made it difficult to keep one's teeth clean. Tooth decay was a frequent problem, which may have gone undetected since a dentist is unable to use X-ray equipment where metal is present.

The Invisalign method of orthodontic treatment has made old-fashioned braces virtually obsolete. These retainers require no adjustment – you simply return to your dentist or orthodontist twice a month to get a new retainer as your teeth settle into a proper position. In addition, Invisalign retainers can be removed for eating and cleaning (though these are the only times they should be removed). The best part for many patients however is the fact that results can be seen in as little as 12 months.