Baseball season is upon us and even baseball players may need orthodontic treatment regardless of their age! Whether you are a middle school-aged baseball player or playing in an adult recreational baseball league, you may be wondering if Invisalign or braces are better suited for the sport. The answer is, it depends on a variety of factors, those of which being if you are able to be treated with Invisalign style braces.
As a general rule of thumb, not everyone is an ideal candidate for Invisalign. This is because Invisalign is intended for individuals that have cases that are not too complex. For individuals that have difficult tooth movements, Invisalign may not be compatible for this person. Since Invisalign is engineered differently than a traditional metal bracket, it can only do so much. Traditional metal braces are able to move teeth that are much more complex and usually are intended for cases that are more difficult. For example, the metal brackets have the ability to attach rubber bands to move the teeth in such a way that Invisalign simply cannot do.
If you are aware that you may need orthodontic treatment and are exploring your options, you should see if Invisalign is right for you as an active baseball player! While it isn’t entirely uncommon to get hit in the mouth, in the off chance that this were to happen and you are going through Invisalign treatment you wouldn’t have to worry about breaking a bracket or wire if you have Invisalign. However, because baseball isn’t a contact sport you shouldn’t let this one off scenario govern your choice of Invisalign or braces, even if it is something to think about!
Regardless, if you are exploring ideas of which treatment option may be right for you, talk with an orthodontist for some helpful guidance! At Richmond Virginia Orthodontics, we have excellent providers who offer an initial consultation.
