One of the most important features that humans have are their smiles. A smile can say so many things and is one of the most universally understood expressions. For some people, they may be embarrassed to smile because of crooked teeth or an obvious overbite.
Until recently, braces and alignment products were mostly used on teens and pre-teens to correct their dental problems.
What about adults that have the same problems? Today, we are going to look at a company that states that it manufactures the most advanced aligner system in the world.
Clear Choice With Invisalign
Braces and the bulky headgear that can accompany them have been around for years. Usually made of stainless steel or titanium and made of wires and brackets. During traditional treatment the orthodontist tightens the wire causing teeth to straighten and align.
The company that makes, Invisalign, states that it is the most advanced aligner system in the world. They are custom-made for each patient and are made out of a comfortable, clear plastic. They work by gently shifting the teeth into the proper alignment.
These types of aligners can be much more aesthetically pleasing than traditional metal braces. This is an important factor for both adults and teenagers.
The Invisalign Process
There is a process involved with Invisalign. The company website makes it easy to understand the steps in the treatment program. They are:
- Talk to an Invisalign provider – Not all dentists or orthodontists work with Invisalign. Because treatment time can be a year or longer, the choice of a doctor can be quite important. After consultation, the doctor will decide if the Invisalign treatment plan is appropriate and at that time discuss things like the cost and insurance.
- A customized treatment plan is created – Invisalign creates a 3D image teeth using x-rays, pictures and impressions. The doctor will explain an appropriate treatment after looking at the 3D imaging, including approximate length of treatment. Using Invisalign technology, the patient has the opportunity to virtually “see” how the alignment will look at each stage.
- Receive custom aligners based upon the treatment plan – Each set of aligners is custom made for each patient and is made from a BPA-free plastic that may be less irritating to cheeks and gums than metal braces.
- Wear a new aligner every two weeks – Patients will receive a new aligner approximately every two weeks. Aligners should be worn a minimum of 20 to 24 hours per day and should only be removed while eating or to brush and floss.
- Reveal a new smile and keep it looking great – At each stage, the patient will be able to visibly see improvements in the alignment of their teeth. After all stages are complete, the doctor will recommend whether or not a retainer might be needed to keep the teeth in their new locations.
Treatable Cases
Invisalign can treat cases ranging from crooked teeth to serious malocclusion. On their website, they point out the following treatable cases:
- Gapped Teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Open Bite
- Overly crowded
- Crossbite
Some of these conditions can have a serious impact on dental health. Invisalign points out that age doesn’t matter and that a clear aligner is a much better alternative for adults and teenagers than embarrassing, painful, metal braces.
The company does stress that without treatment, many of these treatable conditions can lead to much more serious dental problems like gum-disease and painful jaw and joint problems.
Advantages of Invisalign
On the Invisalign website, they have a section devoted to comments from patients currently undergoing treatment and some of the positive things that were mentioned were:
- Ability to brush and floss teeth
- Ability to remove Invisalign
- No food restrictions since Invisalign is removed while eating.
- No sharp brackets to cut cheek or lips
- May be removed while using a sports mouthguard
- No struggling to floss in and around brackets and wires of traditional braces
- Easy to clean
- Clear design makes them much less noticeable
- Smooth plastic design
- Less frequent visits with dentist
- Virtually pain-free straightening of teeth
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost for the Invisalign clear aligners is very comparable to traditional braces. Cost will depend on the dentist, the treatment plan and the length of treatment. Average cost will be anywhere between $3,000 to $8,000. Many insurance plans will pay as much as $3,500 towards the final cost.
Another option is to use a flexible spending account that uses pre-tax dollars to help pay for the cost of treatment. Many dentists and orthodontists will also set up a payment plan that might include monthly payments.
Is There A Downside With Invisalign?
Before undergoing any treatment or procedure, it is important to get a feel for what others had to say about the product. On the Invisalign website, there is an impressive group of photos that show before and after pictures. Normally, it’s hard to see any difference, or maybe just a slight difference.
The pictures that Invisalign posted are definitely positive testimonials that show dramatic results after the treatment.
In searching the internet, there are independent reviews galore for this product. Overall, Invisalign has positive customer satisfaction, though a lot of the reviewers had just recently started the treatment plan. One review that was helpful gave a list of things that she had not expected. These are some of the unexpected things that she experienced:
- In addition to the clear aligner trays, it is possible that some conditions will require additional attachments for greater help in repositioning teeth. When not wearing the aligners, the attachments are not very noticeable, but when wearing the aligners, the attachments may appear similar to clear braces.
- Recommended time to have the aligners in place is between 20 and 22 hours per day. The only time the aligners should not be in place is during meals.
- You may lose weight. You cannot eat with the aligners in place, so in reality, there is only about 2 hours per day to eat both meals and snacks.
- Kiss lipstick goodbye. The aligners while clear, stain very easily. A clear lip balm may be used, but care needs to be taken to keep the aligner clean and lip balm may leave a waxy residue.
- Kissing is awkward and some claim that this product can impact the love life.
- Brushing of teeth is essential. Each time you eat or drink, the teeth must be thoroughly brushed before reinserting the aligners.
