Braces Then, Invisalign Now

Is everyone ready to take a trip back to 1992?  No, I’m not going to break out the Zubaz pants, Pump shoes or sit down to watch an episode of Saved By the Bell.  I’m talking about braces.  That was the year I started 7th grade and also the year I got braces.  Back in those days, options were few and far between.  It was either the traditional metal braces or the clear ones.  The clear were much more expensive at the time, so I’m sure you can all imagine which ones I ended up with.

The regular appointments consisted of cleaning, tightening and the optional creativity of the colors of the bands around the braces.  It should come as no surprise that I didn’t partake in the alternating colors, seasonal patterns or anything of the sort.  Just a standard, black, yellow, orange, etc. would suffice.

One of the lasting things I can remember about the braces is the first couple days after getting them tightened.  It’d make your mouth sore just to do much of anything. Good news is that I didn’t talk much then, so I could get away with being quiet and nobody noticing. But it still hurt. And I still dreaded it every single time.

Thankfully, braces today have come a long way! No more “wrap around” metal brackets or bonded brackets. Say goodbye to big clunky head gear! There have been some huge advances made in orthodontia. Removable aligners, like Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are quickly becoming the popular choice when it comes to braces. The Invisalign system uses a series of clear aligners made of lightweight plastic that sit smoothly on your teeth allowing for a comfortable fit and they work as effectively as traditional metal braces.

Other benefits of removable aligners? No food restrictions, ability to easily maintain healthy dental brushing habits, minimal interference with sports or other activities {this would have been a huge plus when I used to play baseball}, and teeth are strengthened without people knowing you are in treatment. They are barely noticeable so you can smile with confidence. They are virtually invisible!

Worried about the cost of braces?

Every patient is different but, in most cases, the cost for Invisalign is roughly the same as the cost for traditional braces. The Invisalign system also usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments, and no “emergency” visits for broken wires or brackets. Also, the system is covered by most dental insurance plans and there are affordable financing options available.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.