What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone new? (Okay, “eyes” people, we get it, you’re a romantic.) The answer is almost always someone’s smile.
A stunning set of pearly whites can help you make a great first impression, sell an important pitch, impress old friends—the list goes on. But most importantly, confidence in your smile can help put you at ease: It’s a pretty incredible feeling knowing your oral health is in tip-top shape and loving what you see when you look in the mirror, even when you have a bad hair day.
But let’s be real: Braces are just not the move these days. For several reasons.
It’s 2023, and that calls for a modern orthodontic solution: Invisalign aligners, a.k.a. the #1 doctor-recommended clear aligner brand.1
Invisalign treatment improves your smile’s look and health
Most people want to straighten their teeth for cosmetic reasons (totally valid), but what many people don’t know is that having straight teeth also comes with a lot of health benefits.
Without hard-to-reach nooks and crannies between crowded teeth, straight teeth are easier to clean. Regularly removing food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth and gums lowers the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease, and it leaves you with fresher breath and less gum and tooth pain.
Straight, aligned teeth also lower the risk of jaw pain. Misaligned teeth affect your bite, which can strain your jaw joints, and jaw pain can radiate out to your ears, eyes, and head. In short, straight teeth = happy jaw.
Invisalign aligners let you eat and drink anything you want
Unlike braces, Invisalign aligners are clear aligners that go over your teeth, which means you can remove them whenever you need to. Just stash your aligners in a sleek, portable Invisalign aligner case (there are a ton of colors and designs to choose from), and you’re good to go.
So no need to search, “Can I eat [insert favorite don’t-eat-with-braces food here] with Invisalign?” The answer is almost always a resounding yes!
Invisalign aligners are faster than braces2
In many cases, Invisalign treatment works faster (and are less painful3) than braces. Additionally, Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible appliances, so you can see your new smile develop as you go, and you won’t feel even more insecure about your smile during treatment.
Invisalign aligners can treat simple to complex cases
Want to fix a tiny bit of crowding? Done. Looking to close a gap between two teeth? Totally doable. Need to treat a complex bite misalignment? Also treatable.
Invisalign aligners are made from high-quality SmartTrack™ material and designed using advanced technology like 3D mapping, creating aligners that are bespoke for each individual patient’s needs. That should be music to your ears, because your smile certainly deserves more than a one-size-fits-all kind of treatment.
The only standardized element on Invisalign aligners is the little Invisalign logo toward the back of the aligner, reminding you that your smile is in great hands.
How to get Invisalign treatment
Okay, so you want to kick off 2023 by transforming your smile with the #1 doctor-recommended aligner brand on the market. Great! Now what?
1. Meet with your Invisalign doctor to get scanned and map out a custom treatment plan.
2. Pick up your aligners from your doctor’s office.
3. Wear your brand new aligners, track your progress, graduate to your next set of aligners when your doctor gives you the OK, and watch your smile transform!
How much does Invisalign treatment cost?
The cost depends on how complex your case is and how many aligners you’ll need. Talk to an Invisalign provider to get a quote, and keep in mind that Invisalign treatment is FSA/HSA-eligible (so use those dollars before the end of the year!), can be paid for in part by insurance and/or using a to pay-over-time financing option spread out the expense.
Why should I get Invisalign in 2023?
Honestly, it’s been a tough few years for pretty much everyone, but starting a new year with an investment in your health and your confidence can do a whole lot of good. When you invest in yourself with Invisalign treatment, you’re making a commitment to focus on self-care this year, and over time, that can make a huge difference in your self-esteem. Essentially, every day when you put in your aligners, you’re saying, “I am worth the effort.” And you are.
Ready to make 2023 a happy YOU year? Let’s get started.
Since 1997, Align Technology has been a pioneer in orthodontic med-tech, providing more than 14 million people with beautiful, healthy smiles. This article was paid for and written by Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign clear aligners.
1 Based on a global survey of 1,786 doctors (dentists and orthodontists who use clear aligners) by IQVIA in NA, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC. Data on File at Align Technology, as of June 30, 2022.
2Gu, J et al. Evaluation of Invisalign treatment effectiveness and efficiency compared with conventional fixed appliances using the Peer Assessment Rating index. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop February 2017;151:259-66
3In a pain score of 1-9, 1 being extremely painful and 9 not at all painful, Invisalign U.S. teenager patients (Qty:73) rated pain score of 6.1 vs U.S. traditional metal braces teenager patients (Qty: 76) rated pain score of 5.1. In a study by Miller et al, with adults measuring pain in the first week of treatment. Kevin Miller et al. “A comparison of treatment impacts between Invisalign aligner and fixed appliance therapy during the first week of treatment.” American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Volume 131, Issue 3, pp. 302. e1-302.e9, March 2007.