The Pros and Cons of Invisalign Treatment

Debating on whether or not to get Invisalign? Dr. Lints Orthodontics compiled a list of the pros and cons of Invisalign treatment to help you determine if it’s right for you. Keep reading ahead!

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a popular orthodontic technique that corrects some dental issues, such as teeth misalignment, in order to attain a better smile. Unlike braces, Invisalign does not require metal wires, and they are not obvious when worn. Unique aligners are customized for the current structure of your teeth, and you have to switch out your current aligners for a new set of trays every week. These trays are created to straighten the patient’s teeth eventually.

Invisalign fixes the alignment of the teeth to improve the appearance of one’s smile. Additionally, Invisalign can be used to treat the following:

• Underbite
• Overbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Diastema
• Crowded teeth

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Pros:

There’s a reason why Invisalign is a very popular orthodontic treatment among patients of different ages. Here are some of the pros of getting Invisalign:

It is discreet

The most well-known advantage of Invisalign is that the clear aligners are close to being invisible. Adults love the fact that their clients and coworkers can’t tell that they are going through orthodontic treatment. The same can be said for teens patient.

By getting Invisalign, you don’t have to experience a moment when people are constantly pointing out your new braces. Additionally, you won’t feel self-conscious about your smile when taking photos. In fact, you’re going to see the progress and evolution of your new smile.

It is removable

Another great thing about Invisalign is that the clear aligners are removable. To achieve the best results possible, orthodontists recommend patients wear their aligners for 20-22 hours every day, but it’s necessary to remove the trays before eating or brushing and flossing teeth. Because of this, there aren’t any drastic changes that patients make when it comes to their diet or dental hygiene routine. Patients with traditional braces have food restrictions; otherwise, food particles can get stuck in between the brackets, leading to bacteria buildup and possibly even damage to the braces.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is easier

As mentioned earlier, brushing and flossing your teeth if you’re undergoing Invisalign is much easier compared to someone wearing traditional braces. Since there isn’t anything obstructing your teeth, then you can brush and floss like how you did previously.

There are fewer consultations

When it comes to Invisalign in Traverse City, most of the orthodontist’s work occurs before you get to wear your aligners. A 3D scan of your teeth is utilized for creating all the customized retainers in a laboratory. Your orthodontist is going to give you directions on when exactly you need to switch out your clear aligner trays and move on to the next one. Furthermore, Invisalign patients aren’t required to have frequent appointments with the orthodontist for adjustments. This means that visits are at a minimum and more about checking the progress. Few trips to the orthodontist mean that there’s less time off work.

It’s comfortable

If you’re wondering whether braces or Invisalign are more painful, it’s safe to say that Invisalign is a lot more comfortable to wear. That’s not to say that there won’t be any discomfort at all with this treatment, but comparing it with traditional braces, Invisalign has less discomfort. Invisalign has fewer gum and mouth problems as well. Invisalign retainers are made of special plastic designed to fit every patient’s mouth, so compared to braces. There are usually no cuts on the inside of your cheeks, or salt rinses to deal with.

Cons:

While Invisalign has a lot of noteworthy advantages, it’s still not a perfect orthodontic treatment. There are some setbacks that you need to consider:

The patients need discipline

Invisalign’s removability feature can be considered both a pro and a con. If you aren’t disciplined about wearing your aligners after eating or brushing, then wearing them for 20-22 hours per day might be difficult. This will lead to your Invisalign treatment not producing the best results possible and maybe even delaying the treatment further. The most common reason for Invisalign treatment failure is mainly due to a lack of compliance from the patient.

The aligners can get misplaced or damaged easily 

When you are out in public and you have to remove them, you need to do it discreetly and not misplace them. Some patients have a bad habit of placing their trays wherever and forgetting where it was, this leads to losing their trays and possibly even damaging them. 

Additionally, food particles can stop your teeth from moving and can stain your aligners putting you at an increased risk of cavities and bad breath if you don’t remove your aligners before your meal. Eating with aligners on can most likely damage them. 

Treatment cost

A lot of patients ask whether Invisalign is cheap or not. Because of advances in 3D scanning technology and the material used in making the aligners. The cost of Invisalign can be higher than traditional braces. 

In certain instances, it can be difficult to treat some problems with just Invisalign alone. So your orthodontist may bring up the possibility of finalizing tooth positions with braces which could result in the treatment being more expensive. 

Dr. Lints Orthodontics offers flexible payment options for Invisalign and other procedures such as third-party financing and staggered payment plans. You can also use your flexible spending account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for Invisalign costs.

Conclusion: Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Invisalign treatment is a very popular orthodontic treatment due to its discreetness and effectiveness. That being said, it’s not for everyone because it has its limitations. After reading the pros and cons of Invisalign, you may be able to make a more sound decision as to whether or not this treatment is right for you.

Should you need more assistance, contact Dr. Lints and book a complimentary consultation to have an in-depth talk with the orthodontist to determine if it will be effective for your specific case.