Invisalign
About Invisalign
Invisalign braces are great for people who do not have severe problems. The “braces” consist of strong plastic trays that are fabricated especially for you. They are indeed invisible. If your bite is not severely off and your teeth are not severely crooked, then Invisalign would be a good choice. You would be able to get your teeth straightened without anyone seeing that you are wearing “braces”! This appeals to many adults, especially people who wore traditional braces as children and then need more treatment later in life. However, if your bite is very bad, if you need extractions or require headgear or other appliances, then Invisalign will not work for you; you will need to wear traditional braces.
Advantages of Invisalign
- They are virtually invisible, and nobody knows you’re wearing them but you.
- They are easier to clean than traditional braces.
- They don’t irritate your gums as much as traditional braces, so there is little (if any) need for dental wax.
- They do not stain at all.
- The aligners are numbered and worn for two weeks each, so your time in treatment is well established.
- You’ll get a computer simulation showing how your teeth will move during treatment, and see the projected final outcome.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
- They cost as much as traditional braces, and sometimes even more.
- Treatment can take as long as traditional braces.
- In some cases, you may still need traditional braces for a few months after your Invisalign treatment, to correct certain problems.
- You will still have tooth pain, because your teeth will be moved by the Invisalign trays. Invisalign is not a pain-free treatment.
- The plastic trays are computer-fabricated by Align Technologies. Your orthodontist only has some control over your treatment.
- It takes 6 weeks for the aligners to arrive from the factory — a long time to wait. You may need more aligners (i.e., enhancements) after the original set of aligners.
- If you have severe problems, your orthodontist will tell you that you are not a candidate for Invisalign.
