What are the Invisalign pros and cons you should be aware of?
Clear aligners have been the preferred teeth straightening treatment over traditional braces these days. They have become popular over the past decade as it has been proven to not only look better but also be effective when it comes to realigning your teeth.
When it comes to clear aligners, Invisalign has always been the dominant brand in the market. It is not only the most popular product but it is also the oldest and most highly reputed product.
Invisalign is a thin clear aligner and as the name suggests, it is almost invisible meaning it is less noticeable. People would not even be able to tell that you have them on.
Invisalign was first introduced back in 1998 by Align Technology. Since then, other brands started to come out in the market but none of them have been able to keep up with the quality and effectiveness of Invisalign.
For a product with a high reputation, you can expect it to come with a high price. Indeed, Invisalign does not come cheap. This is one of the reasons why people often have second thoughts about it. Is Invisalign really worth the price?
In this article, we will take a closer look at Invisalign pros and cons. This way, you will have everything you need to know to make an informed decision about the product.
Invisalign Pros
Nearly invisible
As the name says, Invisalign gives nearly invisible clear aligners. People barely notice you have them on unless they are probably standing so close to your mouth. It is practically their best selling point.
Getting braces as an adult can be complicated and embarrassing. With clear aligners, you no longer have to deal with the embarrassing metal-mouth look.
In fact, this is the preferred orthodontic treatment for celebrities like Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Zac Efron, Justin Bieber, and many more. It allows them to straighten their teeth without putting their high-profile jobs at risk.
No food and dietary restrictions
If you know anyone that had braces, you are probably aware that they are very conscious about what they eat. In fact, they have a long list of food to avoid. They can’t eat anything hard, anything too soft, anything sticky, and anything that can basically get stuck in the wires and brackets.
With Invisalign, you do not have to worry about such things because they are removable. All you have to do is take them off every time you want to eat. You can eat all your favorite food and drinks with no problem at all!
Easy maintenance of oral hygiene
Brushing and flossing become a complicated task when you get traditional braces because they are fixed on your teeth. You have to find a way to navigate through the braces to clean up your teeth. If you do not, you will be prone to swollen gums, cavities, and scars on your teeth.
Invisalign is removable so you can just take it off and brush and floss your teeth as you usually do. There will be no obstacles to worry about. There will be no brackets and wires that usually trap food and cause plaque so you do not have to worry about maintaining good oral hygiene.
Fewer and shorter appointments
When you have braces, you will have to visit the dentist’s office often. It is a treatment that needs constant monitoring by a dental professional.
Braces need a lot of work and maintenance such as changing the wires, connecting the springs, bonding the brackets, and placing rubber bands. These procedures can be time-consuming. Some appointments may cost hours of your time.
With Invisalign, you will still be required to see your Invisalign provider from time to time but the appointments will be shorter and fewer. This will mean less time off your schedule.
No pain
Another popular advantage is that there is no pain when wearing Invisalign – unlike braces treatment.
It takes time to get used to having braces on. There will be mouth soreness and your teeth will also feel sore for the first few days. Your cheeks will also have to toughen up to adapt to the presence of the wires.
Invisalign does not have wires and brackets so it takes out a lot of pain and suffering from the whole experience of teeth straightening.
The closest thing Invisalign patients get to pain is a slight discomfort during the first few days and this is just because you are still adjusting to having them on.
Invisalign Cons
It can only handle mild to moderate issues
As wonderful as Invisalign is, it has its limitations. Perhaps one of the biggest cons of Invisalign is that not everyone can be a candidate for it. Invisalign is made for mild to moderate dental issues. In fact, this is the case for all clear aligner brands.
This is because the aligners are made out of plastic. The material will not be tough and rigid enough to apply enough force to move teeth that are severely misaligned. The job will have to be done by metal braces in such cases.
It takes a lot of discipline
Invisalign will only work for you if you wear the aligners for at least 22 hours each day. Otherwise, there will be a delay in your treatment schedule and you may have to extend your treatment.
It may sound like an easy thing to do at first but it actually takes a lot of self-motivation and discipline to wear them that long – especially during the first few weeks. When aligners come on and off easily, some people often forget to put them back on.
If you are not disciplined enough to wear them as prescribed, your orthodontist might tell you that you are better off wearing braces to make sure that your teeth moves to the desired position. This is precisely why Invisalign is best for adult patients.
So, before you take Invisalign, make sure that you are disciplined enough to handle the rules. Otherwise, you will just end up wasting your money and spending more than you were supposed to.
It may be a hassle for frequent snackers or sippers
The clear plastic trays should be removed whenever you eat or drink anything aside from water. This is because the particles in foods and drinks can stain their clear aligners and would affect their “invisibility.” The food stains will make the aligners obvious.
If you are the type who drinks coffee or tea several times a day or snacks between meals, you may find it an irritating habit to have to take the plastic trays off every time you eat something, then clean your teeth and the aligners after you eat or drink before putting them back on again.
But this should not be a big deal-breaker for you – it just means that you have to get used to a new routine. Once you get used to it, everything will feel natural for you. Who knows, maybe it will help you snack less and lose weight too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What dental issues can Invisalign work on?
Invisalign can be used for a wide variety of issues. According to the website, it can handle crooked teeth, gap teeth, crowded teeth, and bite issues like overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. But take note that Invisalign can only handle mild to moderate cases.
If you have severe dental issues, your orthodontist will advise you to use traditional braces instead. That’s because metal braces will be able to exert more force to move your teeth into the desired position.
How do I start my Invisalign treatment?
The first step would be to set an appointment with an Invisalign provider. He will create a 3D image of your jaw and mouth. That image will be used as a basis to create your treatment plan to move your teeth into the proper place.
Your customized plan will be presented to you and once you approved it, it will be used to create a series of customized Invisalign trays. So, you will be receiving a set of aligners in the package.
You will be wearing those trays one at a time for a week or two. Once you are done using all the aligners on your set, you will be having a better and more beautiful smile.
How long should I wear the Invisalign aligners?
The key to making sure that the clear aligner treatment will work for you is to wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. That means you have time to take them off for eating or drinking and brushing or cleaning your teeth.
The general treatment length will take between 3 and 18 months. The more work you need, the longer the treatment time will be.
Is Invisalign an expensive orthodontic treatment?
Many people shy away from getting Invisalign because they think it is more expensive to wear braces. But the truth is, the cost of Invisalign is similar to the cost of traditional braces.
Basically, the more work your teeth needs, the more expensive the treatment will be. So, if your teeth only needs minor adjustments, Invisalign will not be that expensive at all because you will be using less Invisalign trays.
According to the Consumer Guide for Dentistry, the general cost for Invisalign can be anywhere between $3000 and $5000. You can go below or above that range, depending on the severity of your case.
The good news is that Invisalign is covered by insurance for plans that have orthodontic coverage. You can also use your FSA and HSA accounts to help cover the cost. There is also a chance that your Insurance provider has his own payment plans that will allow you to pay in installments.
Invisalign vs. braces – which is better?
Invisalign vs. braces is a common debate. This will actually depend on the type of dental issue you have and the level of discipline you possess.
If you only have a mild to moderate orthodontic issues to address, you are better off with Invisalign. You will get a shorter treatment time and you do not have to deal with a metal mouth look.
But if you have a severe orthodontic problem, you will benefit more from braces. Even if you wanted to get Invisalign instead, you will be rejected as a candidate for the treatment.
Conclusion
Now that you know the Invisalign pros and cons and the verdict when it comes to Invisalign vs braces, you should have a clear idea whether clear braces and choosing Invisalign are right for you.
So, if you are still wondering if it is the treatment for you, just ask yourself the following questions:
Will you feel self-conscious about wearing braces?
Can you afford Invisalign?
Are you disciplined enough to handle all the responsibilities of wearing clear braces?
If your answers above are a “yes,” then Invisalign is a treatment that you should take advantage of. It is a great orthodontic treatment that covers a wide variety of dental issues.
Get a free consultation from an Invisalign provider near you and be assessed for an Invisalign treatment.