For almost 30 years, orthodontists have been prescribing Invisalign clear plastic aligners to treat a variety of teeth problems, including tooth gaps and misalignments.
However, you may have heard some criticisms about Invisalign aligners or the Invisalign treatment process. Here, we discuss the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment, including its pros and cons, so you can decide whether they are the best option for you or your child.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable plastic aligners to gradually straighten teeth.
Using the same principle as braces, Invisalign treatment applies gradual pressure to misaligned teeth to reposition them over time. However, instead of brackets, wires, and rubber bands, Invisalign uses multiple sets of removable clear plastic aligners as prescribed by your orthodontist.
Although Invisalign is not the only brand of plastic aligners, they all use the same gentle pressure method to work.
What Dental Issues Can Invisalign Fix?
Invisalign can be used to treat the following dental issues.
Teeth Overcrowding
Overcrowding happens when there isn’t enough space in the jaw to fit all your child’s teeth. This can lead to teeth growing at odd angles or overlapping.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between teeth, also known as diastemas, can be caused by various factors, including family genetics, having small teeth compared to their jaw size, or behaviors like thumb-sucking.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is the medical term for teeth misalignment when your jaws are closed. Types of malocclusion include overbite (the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth), underbite (the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth), and crossbite (the upper and lower teeth don’t align correctly when the mouth is closed).
Bite Issues
Bite issues refer to the gaps in the spacing between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Common bite issues include open bite (the upper and lower front teeth don’t meet), deep bite (excessive overlap of the upper and lower front teeth), and edge-to-edge bite (the upper and lower front teeth meet edge-to-edge without the proper overlap).
Invisalign treatment begins with an initial free consultation appointment at our office in Scottsdale.
During this consultation, we will thoroughly scan your child’s mouth and teeth using the iTero Element® scanner.
Next, we use Invisalign’s ClinCheck® software to turn the electronic data from the scan into a three-dimensional model of your child’s mouth and jaws.
Based on this highly detailed model, we use software to prepare a customized treatment plan.
During treatment, your child will wear aligners to gradually shift the teeth to new positions. Each aligner should be worn for about 20 to 22 hours a day, only removing it when eating, brushing, and flossing.
We will also have you return to our offices regularly to check on your progress, give you your next set of aligner trays, ensure your aligners fit perfectly, and answer any questions.
What are the Advantages of Using Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign treatment is popular with patients as an alternative to braces for three main reasons:
Low Visibility
Although they are not entirely invisible, Invisalign aligners are inconspicuous when worn. Invisalign aligners are an attractive option for children who would otherwise feel self-conscious and socially awkward wearing regular braces.
Removability
Once applied, braces can only be safely removed by an orthodontist. This can make it harder to keep teeth clean by brushing and flossing and lead to teeth staining and uneven coloration.
Once braces are removed, a professional cleaning and tooth whitening procedure may be necessary to make teeth uniformly white again.
Because Invisalign aligners are easily removable by the patient, it is much easier for the patient to keep their teeth clean and use over-the-counter tooth whitening products. Also, unlike traditional braces, there are no “off-limits” foods or beverages. Teeth can remain clean as long as the aligners are removed before eating and teeth are brushed before putting them back in your mouth.
Comfort
Traditional braces can be uncomfortable even when their wires and brackets are working perfectly. When something goes wrong, like a broken archwire or bracket, they can even become painful until you go to the orthodontist to fix them.
What Affects How Well Invisalign Works?
Invisalign aligners require diligent and consistent use to be most effective. They also require proper care to avoid possible cosmetic or functional problems.
Wear Invisalign Aligners for the Recommended Time
Invisalign aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day.
The Invisalign treatment plan depends on your child’s teeth being ready for new aligners at each scheduled switch. If your child does not wear the aligners for the prescribed amount of time, progress may halter, leading to potential delays, adjustments to the treatment plan, and increased costs.
See The Dentist for Regular Check-Ups
Wearing orthodontics does not mean that your child can neglect your oral health in other ways. During treatment, it is important to maintain regular checkups with your dentist while wearing clear aligners.
Properly Care for Aligners
Another potential problem with using Invisalign aligners is that if teeth are not kept clean or aligners are not removed when eating or drinking a beverage other than water, they can become stained or even damaged.
- Staining can happen when drinking beverages like dark-colored fruit juices or coffee while wearing clear aligners.
- Because aligners are made of plastic, cleaning them with hot water can cause them to warp out of shape if the water is too hot.
- Aligners can rub food particles against your teeth and gums, which can contribute to tooth decay and periodontal health problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Invisalign Aligners May Not be the Best Choice for All Orthodontic Treatments
Invisalign custom-made aligners are most effective for mild to moderate orthodontic treatments, like closing gaps between teeth and straightening teeth. They may be less effective for major orthodontic treatment needs.
For example, if you have dental bridgework, the orthodontist may recommend against using Invisalign treatment in favor of teeth straightening options like traditional braces.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of treatment with Invisalign is similar to the cost of traditional braces. Your cost can range between $3,000 and $9,000, depending on treatment time and whether an additional Invisalign treatment option like Vivera retainers is included.
Not all dental insurance plans may pay for the full cost of Invisalign treatment.
So, Does Invisalign Treatment Really Work?
As long as aligners are worn as they are supposed to and properly cared for, Invisalign aligners are a proven, effective, and cost-competitive alternative treatment option to braces.
In addition to being a practical orthodontic treatment option, some inherent advantages to wearing braces, notably their comparative low visibility, removability, and better comfort, make Invisalign treatment safe and practical to use.
Where Can I Find an Invisalign Orthodontist Near Me in Phoenix or Scottsdale?
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, our orthodontists are authorized Invisalign dentists who are trained to use Invisalign diagnostic equipment to create customized teeth straightening and smile recovery plans.
Call us today at (480) 422-4544 or reach out to us online to set up your free initial consultation with a qualified dental professional.
If you have questions about the cost of Invisalign clear aligners, including dental insurance options or other payment options, including financing with no initial payment and a monthly payment plan, we can also help.
We will be happy to help you to make the best oral health decision for your needs or your child’s. The sooner you get started, the sooner your journey to a better smile and a better you can get underway.
