Invisalign and Clear Aligners Treatment facts, pros and cons.

Clear aligners Orthodontic treatment e.g. Invisalign is a method of orthodontic treatment which uses a series of custom made, clear, removable aligners to move teeth  sequentially into a more favorable position aesthetically and functionally speaking. It became very popular in the last decade and could be used as a viable alternative to traditional metal brackets and wires orthodontics

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Advantages

Cosmetics the aligners are completely transparent, therefore far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. This makes the method particularly popular among adults who want to straighten their teeth without the look of traditional metal brace.

More comfortable than braces, that is due to the fact in general there is lower force applied to the teeth with Invisalign/clear aligners than that with traditional braces.

Easier to eat during treatment, that is due to the removable nature of the device, food can be consumed without the encumbrance of metallic braces.

Better oral hygiene , since it’s a removable appliance , eating during treatment is normal (no food get stuck on the brackets and wires),in addition cleaning the teeth and gum tissue is much easier than traditional braces. Because of that, the overall incidence of decay and gum tissue inflammation is far less than that with the traditional braces.

Disadvantages

Unlike traditional fixed braces, they are largely dependent on a patient’s habits and their cooperation. The success of the Invisalign aligners is based on a patient’s commitment to wear the aligners for a minimum of 20–22 hours per day, only removing them when they are eating, drinking, or brushing their teeth.

Clear aligner therapy/Invisalign is usually much more expensive than traditional braces, due to the high lab bill paid to align technology.

Because the aligners are removed for eating, they could be lost. That is why it’s recommended that the patient keep the last set aligners in case this happens. Two protective plastic containers are provided at the beginning of treatment to keep the aligners in, so they are less subject to loss or damage. In case of an aligner loss or breakage of an aligner, treatment will be delayed and coast will increase.

Clinching and grinding teeth could cause damage and weakening of the aligners.

In my experience the improvement in the technology, the aligner’s material,  and the advancement of the software/ AI have made the treatment more predictable that what it was a decade a go.

Although the advancement has been noticeable for the the last few years, the system still has some limitations that only traditional braces can solve. Your dentist/orthodontist will decide the most the proper way to treat your teeth.

In our office we offer a complimentary free consultation to our patients to help them make the educated decision about their orthodontic treatment. So, if you or any of your family, and friends that are interested, please don’t hesitate to call us.