When you seek orthodontic treatment to improve your smile, you get two options: Metallic Braces and Clear or Invisible Aligners. Both have their pros and cons. One must choose the right option after studying these pros and cons and their applicability to your specific needs.
Though technological progress has made improvements in traditional braces, they are still overshadowed by the benefits of clear aligners like Invisalign. The latter doesn’t have many of the cons of metallic braces.

Invisible Aligners or Invisalign is a revolutionary treatment for the correction of dental problems. The main USP of these is their invisible quality by which teeth are guided to their proper place using nearly invisible guides made of plastic. As such, there is much demand for Invisalign alignment in Singapore.

Clear or invisible aligners are a popular tool for straightening or re-aligning your teeth. The original and most reputed brand of clear aligners is Invisalign, which was launched in 1998 by Align Technology. Ever since, there have emerged other brands like uLab, ClearCorrect and Spark.

What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand of clear or transparent aligners used for orthodontic treatment. They are made of flexible plastic material named Smart Track.
As per its name, Invisalign is designed to make orthodontic treatment ‘less conspicuous’ as described by the American Association of Orthodontics. Even if Invisalign is not really invisible, this clear item fits tightly around your teeth and is thus less visible than the wires and brackets of traditional braces. Such aligners work by shifting your teeth gently into place without the pain caused by conventional braces.

Benefits of Invisalign
This brand of clear aligners has the following major benefits:

Invisible and discreet
The main benefit of Invisalign is that it is nearly invisible, clear and transparent. Because of this quality, it is popular with teenagers and adults who tend to feel self-conscious about traditional braces.
Invisalign will ensure that you look your best at social events, official engagements, and photos, as they are almost invisible. You need not worry about ugly metallic braces.

Expedient and relaxing
Invisalign is made of smooth plastic. This makes them more expedient and relaxing to use compared to traditional braces. The latter usually feature painful metal brackets and wires.
Invisalign also does not have any metal wires or sharp edges that can hurt your mouth by causing gum irritation. Thus, your teeth will become straight in a more pleasant way.
Another great quality of Invisalign is that it is highly convenient to use. These aligners can be removed whenever required. Take them out while drinking, eating or cleaning your teeth. As such, maintaining good oral health is easier with these aligners.

Customised plan for treatment
In the first stage of fitting Invisalign aligners, your orthodontist will design a bespoke plan for your teeth. They will outline the route of motion of your teeth, making use of 3D technology.
Such a treatment plan will help ensure that the aligners fit perfectly in your mouth and serve your specific needs. This will also help in tracking the progress of the teeth correcting program and whether your smile has improved.

Less visits to the dentist
Those using traditional braces find that they need to visit their dentist frequently to make adjustments to these braces. However, with Invisalign, you usually need to see the dentist only every 6 to 8 weeks to monitor the state of your teeth.
This factor helps you save time and is highly convenient. You will usually have multiple sets of aligners that you can use and throw as per your needs and avoid many trips to the dentist.

Improves oral health
Besides straightening your teeth, Invisalign helps improve general oral health. This is because brushing and flossing are very painful in the case of traditional metal braces. Crooked teeth cannot be cleaned easily and can cause issues like plaque build-up. However, with Invisalign aligners, apart from straightening teeth, good oral health can be maintained by reducing risks of gum disease and cavities. They can be removed when you want, helping to keep the teeth clean.

Suits hectic lifestyle
Invisalign aligners fit perfectly into even the most hectic lifestyle of patients. Since it is possible to remove them, you need not worry about eating food items that are not possible with traditional braces. You can eat whatever you like, brush your teeth at intervals and lead a normal life with minimum restrictions.

Shorter time
Invisalign treatment typically lasts for 12 to 18 months, while traditional braces can take 2 to 3 years for proper impact. Invisalign is thus the most affordable aligner in the market.

The Downside
To know whether Invisalign is suitable for you, you must also weigh the cons, which are as follows:
• More expensive: These clear aligners are slightly more expensive than traditional braces.
• Needs constant use: Though you can remove these aligners at intervals, you must surely wear them for 20 to 22 hours.
• Limited efficacy: These aligners may be highly effective for mild dental problems but ineffective for complicated issues.

Factors for Effectiveness
Invisalign treatment is a popular dental treatment for straightening teeth. This treatment is ideally suited for teens and adults with mild or moderate dental issues. To gain the best results:
• Wear the aligners as directed by the dentist
• Visit the dentist periodically to monitor progress
• Maintain good hygiene in the mouth.

Care for Invisalign
One should take proper care of Invisalign to ensure its best utility. Do regular cleaning and keep it in safe storage when not in use. To counter plaque and Bacteria, clean with mild soap and a soft brush.
It is easier to clean Invisalign aligners than traditional braces. They can be removed and cleaned with ease. Avoid using harsh chemicals. You should not wear them when you are eating and drinking, except for water.

In sum, there is no common experience with Invisalign, and the impact varies from person to person. It is wise to consult an orthodontist to identify the right treatment for you after you make a study of its pros and cons.