Life can be difficult as an adult with misaligned teeth. Whether you didn't get braces when you were younger, didn't wear your retainer, or a later life event has damaged your smile, it's often hard to face the need for dental correction as an adult. No one wants to look like an awkward teen at the office or in their dating life or go through years of difficult braces management.
But at some point, enough is enough. Whether you need to look perfect for an event, are tired of hiding your smile, or just want to bite through sandwiches without a hassle, it becomes time for orthodonture whether you want it or not.
The good news is that there are a number of subtle dental solutions for adults who need alignment. If you've been reading up on the topic, no doubt you've discovered that the top two approaches to adult orthodonture are Invisalign and Six Month Smiles.
These are two very different approaches to the same problem and at a comparable price, it can be challenging to know which procedure can offer the best results for your dental needs. Let's start by defining the differences between them.
Invisalign vs Six Month Smiles
The first thing to understand is how these two methods vary. This will give you the right perspective both on your preferences and what the treatments can do for you.
Invisalign
Invisalign is well known for their clear plastic trays. These are, essentially, clear retainers known as trays that push your teeth together. The trays can be removed for eating and tooth care but need to stay on the vast majority of the time. Every two weeks the trays will be replaced with tighter trays instead of the wire-tightening ritual of traditional braces.
Six Month Smiles
Six Month Smiles, on the other hand, are the strategic application of traditional braces. Their signature consists of clear brackets and tooth-colored wires. This means that from a distance, no one will be able to tell you're wearing braces. And the way the braces are applied can significantly shorten the time you spend correcting your misalignment.
Length of Treatment
Invisalign treatments tend to milder than traditional braces but last about the same amount of time. For full results, most adults will wear Invisalign trays for about two years before correction is complete.
Six Month Smiles includes the length of treatment right in the name. For most patients, Six Month Smiles offers the unique opportunity to make corrections with braces but without the two-year commitment.
You can do this by focusing only on the front teeth that show when you smile and talk. Many people choose Six Month Smiles when preparing for a big event like a wedding.
Severity of Correction
Invisalign has one notable weakness, which is how much correction they can offer. For small gaps and minor mis-angled teeth, Invisalign trays can be the ideal way to correct your teeth without braces of visible changes.
However, the trays cannot correct seriously angled teeth, large gaps, or guide a single wayward tooth to a new location. They can only press teeth in together and fix minor alignment problems. However, unlike Six Month Smiles, Invisalign will pull all your teeth together, not just the front set.
Six Month Smiles, as traditional braces, are far more capable of dealing with serious misalignment. If you have a sharply angled tooth, large gaps between your teeth, or other significant problems, Six Month Smiles may be the only answer. However, if you have problems with your back teeth, this treatment won't be focusing on correcting molars.
Capabilities During Treatment
The final consideration is how you live your life with one treatment or the other. Both have their challenges and the right choice may depend on your lifestyle.
Invisalign trays must be worn 22+ hours a day in order to stay on the schedule. They may also need to be waxed to prevent the plastic edges from clipping into gums and lips. Invisalign treatment requires dedication and discipline on the part of the patient. On the other hand, you can take them out to eat and brush, significantly reducing the hassles of traditional braces.
Six Month Smiles are very subtle traditional braces. You will need to avoid crunchy foods, have your wires tightened, and brush carefully each night. However, you don't have to worry about taking them in and out and cannot throw your alignment plan off schedule by accident.
Which adult orthodonture solution is right for you? If you're not sure or would like a consultation with a cosmetic dentistry expert, contact us today!
