Beyond Aesthetics: 7 Health Benefits of Wearing Invisalign, as shown in Research

When most people hear the word “Invisalign,” they think of a nearly invisible way to achieve straighter teeth. And that’s all well and good.

Most people associate using Invisalign with having beautiful teeth and being able to have great oral confidence when smiling for photos. However, there are other benefits from using Invisalign beyond just appearance; they positively affect one's overall health, both physically and mentally.

At Lakewood Smiles, we have many patients come into our office every day asking about Invisalign treatments in Houston,  for aesthetic purposes, but when they leave, they have a much better understanding about all the real health benefits of using Invisalign to reposition teeth. 

In this article, we’re going to discuss seven of those benefits that have been proven through scientific research.

1. Better Gum Health

The fact that the  Invisalign aligners can be removed for example, during meals, allows for more effective brushing and flossing than would be possible if you had braces with brackets or wires obstructing your access.

One prospective clinical study published on PMC (PubMed Central) found that Invisalign patients had significantly lower plaque index scores and less gingival bleeding than patients wearing fixed-based braces, which was associated with greater ease of maintaining oral hygiene while using the aligners. [1]  Healthier gums during orthodontic treatment provide a solid base for your teeth after you complete your treatment.

2. Less chance of Tooth Decay

When teeth are misaligned, they can create tight spaces to trap bacteria & plaque. Which are sometimes impossible to clean with only careful brushing. One of the most effective ways to eliminate many of these closed-in areas is by using an appliance like Invisalign; this shifts teeth into the correct position over a period of time.

Research in Progress in Orthodontics (2010) found that patients being treated with clear aligners had much better oral hygiene than patients receiving traditional braces during treatment [2] . Therefore, clear aligners can reduce your chances of developing cavities over your lifetime.

3. Relief from TMJ Discomfort and Jaw pain

TMJ or the Temporomandibular Joint can be affected by TMJ disorder. It can cause up to 10% of all adult tooth pain, headaches and a clicking sound in the jaw. Many of these cases arise from malocclusion, or the misalignment of upper teeth with lower teeth; which places excess strain on the jaw.

Invisalign can help to align your bite correctly and to restructure chewing forces so they are distributed more evenly to relieve chronic tension of your jaw muscle. Bite correction by dentists isentified as a major factor in managing TMJ by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). [3]

4. Improved Digestion

The mouth is where the process of digestion begins. When the teeth do not line up properly, it can lead to an uneven and inefficient method of chewing food that is subsequently swallowed in larger pieces than the body can process—leading to bloating and ultimately, a reduced ability to absorb nutrients.

Therefore, the alignment of the bite can be corrected with Invisalign to facilitate a greater amount of complete and thorough chewing. This particular benefit has not been well researched by itself; however, it is able to be associated with existing research relating to digestive physiology and clinical research showing that Invisalign helps to correct a malocclusion.

5. Prevention of Abnormal Tooth Wear

Uneven bites create unequal distribution of bite forces. Some surfaces endure far more biting pressure than designed for causing increased enamel wear (erosion) faster than they otherwise would. Using Invisalign treatments in Houston, allows your teeth to receive an even distribution of biting forces which will help to protect your enamel from excessive wear. As indicated by several clinical publications published by Invisalign, when teeth are aligned properly, they will minimize the chance of wear and cracking and save the cost of restorative treatment often required when misalignment is not corrected.

6. Clearer Speech

Incorrectly aligned teeth can negatively impact sound production by the tongue which is primarily responsible for the sounds 's,' 't,' and 'th.' The improper position of the teeth causes lisping and/or unclear articulation of these sounds. Through the use of Invisalign to appropriately align your teeth, your tongue will now have an appropriate area to be placed during speech; this new environment increases the support for your tongue while speaking out loud.

Many of our patients also report to have seen a significant improvement in how well they pronounce words throughout their treatment period. This is an unexpected addition of Invisalign treatment  in Houston but one that can carry great significance personally and professionally.

7. Stronger Mental Health and Self-Confidence

There is a large body of research that has established that the psychological effects of someone who is dissatisfied with their smile are significant. Individuals who are dissatisfied with their misaligned teeth frequently experience decreased self-esteem, social anxiety, and social avoidance.

Invisalign offers a unique way of allowing these individuals to build confidence in their smiles by providing a virtually invisible way of straightening their teeth and allowing them to act on their desire to improve their smile without the feelings of self-consciousness or embarrassment that can come when wearing metal braces.

Research shows that higher levels of smile satisfaction are associated with higher levels of confidence, as well as lower levels of social anxiety. [4]

Conclusion: The value of Invisalign - an Investment and More

There is mounting evidence that the Invisalign treatments in Houston,  provide numerous health gains, that exceed simply providing an aesthetically appealing smile. Improvements to your gum health, decreased incidence of cavities, reduction of TMJ pain and contributing toward your psychological health are just some of the benefits of the Invisalign system that has clinical backing and will last beyond simply making your teeth straight.

Every patient deserves to have an entire picture of what their treatment offers. Not only in terms of how the result will be, but in relation to how you may FEEL and FUNCTION for many years to come.

If you are considering using the Invisalign system and would like to see if this technique may work for you and/or your dental health; please contact our office to schedule a consultation with our team.

Together we will evaluate your individual needs and develop a treatment plan that serves to meet your oral health needs (smile) as well as your long-term health needs.

Ready to go beyond the aesthetics? Contact Lakewood Smiles today.

References:

[1] Papadimitriou A, et al.(2018) Clinical effectiveness of Invaslign® Orthodontic Treatment: systematic review.-Progress in Orthodontics. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6160377/

[2] Levrini L, et al.(2015) Periodontal health status in patients treated using the Invisalign® System and Fixed Orthodontic Appliances; 3 month clinical / microbiological evaluation-PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4569994/

[3] Lo Giudice A, et al.(2024) Evaluation of the Invisalign® Aligner Technique and consideration of the force system- systematic review, Systematic Reviews Journal. https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02437-5

[4] Lagravere MO, Flores-Mir C. (2005) Treatment effects of Invisalign® orthodontic aligners; systematic review. -PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16383056/

[5] Periodontal Health of Americans; American Academy of Periodontology: Better-aligned teeth can help reduce/displace the risk of gum disease infection. https://www.perio.org/

[6] tmj.org; National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research - NIDCR: tmj disorders page. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmj

[7] Invisalign.com - Straight Teeth - Healthy Smile: Benefits to You. https://www.invisalign.com/why-invisalign/oral-health