Did you know that your face is the first thing people notice about you when you walk into a room? It’s true. Before someone looks at what you’re wearing or other parts of your body, they notice your face, especially your smile. Whether it is on a first date or a job interview, you want to make a great first impression by flashing a dazzling smile. If you have flaws, such as crooked or malaligned teeth, you may be hesitant to really show your full smile. This can make you seem unsure or shy, or more importantly, uninterested, neither of which is the first impression that you want to give to someone! More and more adults are choosing to visit a cosmetic dentist for two reasons:  the obvious reason is to have a pretty smile but for most, it’s to feel more confident in their daily interactions. Cosmetic dental treatments from a dental lab can help those who want to achieve a brighter smile and even improve their overall dental health.

While we have seen an increase in adult orthodontics, there are still thousands of men and women over the age of 20 who feel like they are “too old” for braces! This is simply not true! In our last blog post, we posed this question to get adults thinking about the real reason they do not want to straighten their teeth.  “Is the fact that you do not want to look like a teenager with a mouth full of braces holding you back?” For some, this is the reason for the hesitancy. For others, it is more about being worried that they cannot afford the procedure, that the process will be too painful, or that they will not be able to eat or drink their favorite foods. We are going to take a look at these questions (or myths as we like to call them!), and give you the 411 on the top concerns of cosmetic dentistry.

Myth 1: Braces Will Be Too Noticeable!

If you are worried about colleagues, friends or family noticing your braces, Invisalign may be the perfect solution for you. While traditional braces have some options to make them less noticeable, the only virtually invisible option is Invisalign.  Invisalign is a new way to correct malaligned teeth. Instead of brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear, customizable trays that slowly shift your teeth until they are straight. The aligners are made to help your teeth correct their position by changing aligners every two weeks, which help to control your teeth so they move as they are supposed to.

Myth 2: The Cost Will Be Too Much!

The good news is most insurance plans will cover orthodontic care such as braces or Invisalign. With the average cost of traditional braces being between $5,000 and $7,500 and the cost of Invisalign ranging somewhere between $3,500 and $8,000, you can see that there is not that big of a difference between the two. We want to make sure that our patients are able to get the smile they desire, so we do accept some major credit cards and you can also make payment arrangements through Care Credit.

Myth 3: Wearing Braces or Aligners Will Be Too Painful!

Traditional braces are known to be somewhat painful as the wires are tightened to straighten the teeth. Invisalign, on the other hand, is less painful. There may be minimal discomfort as the teeth shift, but there is no significant pain. The aligners are comfortable and are tailored to your specific needs so that they fit snugly without shifting or unnecessary movement. They are also very easy to remove and replace when needed.

Myth 4: I Won’t Be Able to Eat and Drink What I Like.

You do have to watch what you eat with braces so that you avoid breaking a bracket, but with Invisalign, you may eat and drink whatever you like. You just have to remove the aligners while you eat and drink, and then replace them afterwards. You can enjoy all the foods you love that are on the “do not eat” list for braces, including foods like popcorn, apples, corn on the cob and pretzels.

If you have always wanted to change your smile, don’t let your fears hold you back. Consult with a dentist to learn about the options available to make sure that you get the smile you want without anyone noticing, and without breaking the bank. Invisalign gives you the opportunity to get an amazing new smile without the pain and trouble of traditional braces.