This is a question that almost every orthodontic patient asks themselves. Possibly the most pertinent question people ask is how it will look and, more importantly, how will people perceive them during their teeth straightening treatment.

Having a confident and attractive smile is becoming more and more desirable throughout the world. Most people want to leave a positive impression on the person(s) they’re talking to. The majority of people would feel self-conscious when wearing metal wires and brackets on their teeth. Some people may even be reluctant to smile and laugh properly for fear of looking unattractive.

Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible so hardly anybody notices that you’re straightening your teeth. This can allow you to continue your normal day-to-day activities with confidence. It is also very important to wear your Invisalign aligners for the recommended 20 – 22 hours per day. The only time you should remove your aligners is for eating, brushing and flossing.

As the Invisalign aligners are smooth, comfortable and nearly invisible, the major lifestyle change you will encounter is the requirement to wear your aligners for 20 – 22 hours per day. After a few days you will become used to wearing the aligners and it might actually feel unusual when you’re not wearing them!

You can continue to play sport, play a musical instrument or any of the other extra-curricular activities you’re involved with. Your speech may feel as though it’s affected within the first few days but your tongue will very quickly adjust and your speech shouldn’t be impacted.

As mentioned above, one of the major considerations is your own level of confidence throughout your treatment. How will you feel about smiling? How will others perceive you? Will you be comfortable with how you look? The difference between having nearly invisible aligners that hardly anybody notices versus having the traditional metal braces is significant. Invisalign is the clear alternative to braces.

Another major consideration is eating. With Invisalign you can continue to enjoy your favorite foods by simply removing your aligners. With traditional metal braces it is recommended that some foods are forbidden throughout your treatment (it’s best to speak with your orthodontist about this).

Daily oral hygiene won’t be impacted with Invisalign because you simply remove the aligners for brushing and flossing. It’s difficult to brush and floss properly with braces as it can be difficult to reach in between teeth and gums because the wires and brackets are in the way.

It is important to undertake some research and speak to your orthodontist about how your orthodontic treatment will impact your lifestyle.