How to Avoid the “Metal Mouth” Look When Getting Braces
By Chris Getman | Published on December 27, 2010 | 0 Comments
Call it “metal mouth” or “brace face,” but there’s no getting around the fact that the appearance of traditional braces makes some teens hesitant about having orthodontic work done. Thankfully, recent improvements in Invisalign technology have made it so that teenagers and adults can get the straighter teeth they desire without having to wear traditional braces at all.
According to Dr. Chris Getman of Getman Orthodontics in Cordova, TN, more teens are opting for Invisalign now than ever before. And why not? Dr. Getman says that Invisalign can be used to straighten out nearly anyone’s smile, whether the problem is spacing issues, crowding, overbites, or crossbites.
Since Invisalign was introduced within the orthodontic community, Dr. Getman has seen a slow but steady transition towards this type of treatment. In recent years especially, vast improvements have been made to the Invisalign trays that make it possible to treat an even wider array of dental issues.
As Dr. Getman explains, patients who choose Invisalign over traditional braces do not have to sacrifice anything in the process. However, that was not always true in the past. There was a time when Invisalign could only be used on a very small number of patients because the trays themselves did not have a very wide application. Among the patients who were willing to try Invisalign in those early years, a trade off had to be made – patients could get straighter smiles without all the discomfort associated with traditional braces, but it was unlikely their smiles would ever be “perfect.” Nowadays, however, patients who choose Invisalign no longer have to make that sacrifice.
These days, Dr. Getman says, there are almost zero drawbacks for adult and teen patients who choose Invisalign over traditional braces with brackets and wires. Orthodontists now have the ability to put what are known as “attachments” on the teeth of patients with Invisalign. These tooth-colored attachments – which are also called buttons – allow orthodontists to grab a hold of certain teeth that couldn’t otherwise be moved with the Invisalign trays.
Best of all, the results produced by Invisalign are comparable to – if not better than – those of traditional braces. And the fact that Invisalign is generally more comfortable for patients is another added plus.
Still, the main reason why most teens are drawn to Invisalign to begin with has to do with aesthetics. Dr. Getman says that the Invisalign trays that patients wear look much better than traditional braces, which tends to be a major consideration for teen patients.
For patients of all ages, Invisalign braces are an excellent option. Dr. Getman says that he is now able to tackle extremely difficult cases with Invisalign, giving his adult and teen patients the straight, healthy smiles they have always dreamed about.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.