Should You Choose Invisalign Or Braces? For An Athlete This Can Be An Important Choice
Posted on: 22 August 2016
The process of getting your teeth straightened certainly can bring about thoughts of dread, and of the years it will take. For an athlete, there is more to consider than simply the appearance of braces stretched across those pearly whites. However, with new technologies such as Invisalign on the market, there is more choice than ever. The question becomes, which should you choose – braces or Invisalign?
The Differences Between Invisalign and Braces
While both are capable of straightening your teeth effectively, they both have their own advantages and drawbacks. The primary differences between the two could help make the decision on which is the best choice for you.
Braces are made from silver and are glued to the teeth and then tied together using rubber bands and wires. The braces effectively re-align your teeth over the course of 24 months or so. Braces are worn 24 hours a day, every day for the duration of the process. They are much more visible but do come in a range of colors that can more closely match your own teeth color. They can be cleaned by brushing and rinsing. Braces are the only choice if you need to rotate or move your teeth either up or down in your mouth.
Invisalign is made from clear BPA-free plastic, and they fit over your teeth much like a mouth guard does. They can be taken out of your mouth at any time, and should be removed when eating or drinking anything except for water. You can clean them using a brush and then rinsing them in slightly warm water, or you might be able to purchase a special cleaning kit for them. They appear completely invisible when placed over your teeth, and many adults prefer them due to this fact. Invisalign must be worn for most of the day to be effective (22-24 hours) and only taken out when eating.
Protecting Your Mouth
Athletes playing any sort of contact sport are advised to wear Invisalign, as they can be removed in order to wear a mouth guard. Braces can do some damage to the inside of your mouth if you get hit while in play. It could be that you are allergic to nickel or silver, which would make wearing braces impossible. It may be possible, if you prefer to or must wear braces due to the type of alignment you need, to purchase a mouth guard specially fitted to protect your teeth and braces.
Check out websites about orthodontics for additional reading.
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