Is Invisalign Worth It? (What to Know Before Choosing Orthodontic Treatment)

Orthodontic issues such as crooked or crowded teeth or malocclusion (irregular bite) can be quite serious. They not only affect the appearance of your smile, but they can also harm your oral health. Orthodontic issues can make it more difficult to keep your teeth and gums adequately clean, increasing your risk of tooth decay, cavities, and periodontal disease. Orthodontic problems that cause an irregular bite can also put excessive wear and tear on the teeth in addition to contributing to or causing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).  

While orthodontic treatment is commonly recommended for patients while they are still growing and developing, it's not too late for adults to straighten their smiles and correct their occlusion. If you're all grown up and considering your treatment options, we're here to answer your questions and help you determine whether or not treatment with Invisalign is worth it.  

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system touted as an alternative to traditional metal braces. Invisalign consists of a series of sets of clear, plastic aligner trays. These trays fit snuggly over the teeth and gradually shift them into the desired alignment.  

What's the Difference Between Braces and Aligners? (How Does Invisalign Work?)

Invisalign and metal braces have the same ultimate goal (correcting teeth spacing, orientation, and jaw alignment). However, they use different tools to achieve that objective.  

Traditional, metal braces use a system of rubber bands in addition to metal wires and brackets that are bonded to the teeth. These implements can be tightened and adjusted in order to exert pressure on the teeth that gradually moves them into proper alignment.  

Invisalign uses a system of graduated clear aligner trays that are worn over the teeth. The trays exert gentle pressure on the teeth to turn them, shift them, move them, and eventually arrange them in the proper orientation and alignment. In some treatment plans, patients will also receive small dots of tooth-colored composite bonding to assist with the movement of the teeth. As a patient moves through their treatment plan, wearing each set of aligner trays for the specified amount of time, their teeth will gradually move closer to the desired positions.  

The Pros and Cons of Invisalign: Is Invisalign Worth It for Adults?

When deciding on a type of orthodontic treatment, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of your treatment options. Invisalign offers several advantages and only a few drawbacks that patients should consider.  

What Are the Advantages of Invisalign?

  • Virtually Invisible - Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible when they're in, which means you can undergo orthodontic treatment without the whole world knowing.  
  • Comfortable - Made of smooth plastic, Invisalign doesn't rub uncomfortably against the lips, tongue, or cheeks. As a result, Invisalign treatment won't cause soft tissue sores like metal braces can.
  • Low-Maintenance - You don't need any special dental hygiene tools to maintain your oral health while undergoing treatment with Invisalign.
  • Keep Your Lifestyle - It's perfectly safe to participate in any of your favorite sports and physical activities while wearing Invisalign aligner trays - and you won't need a special, custom-designed athletic mouthguard to protect your orthodontic appliances, soft tissues, and teeth.  
  • Eat Anything You Want - Invisalign aligner trays should be removed for meals, so you can continue eating all of your favorite foods - even the hard and sticky treats that you would need to avoid while wearing metal braces.  
  • Fewer Checkups - While our dentist will want to monitor your progress throughout treatment, you won't need to come into the dental office for as many checkups as would be required with traditional metal braces.  

Does Invisalign Have Any Drawbacks?

  • Period of Adjustment - As with any new orthodontic appliance, it takes a little while to get used to having Invisalign aligner trays in your mouth. This can cause some speech issues that typically resolve within about a week.  
  • Requires Self-Motivation - Invisalign aligner trays are removable. This is one of the reasons they are preferable to braces, but it does mean that you need to hold yourself accountable and be sure that you're wearing them for the required amount of time every day.  
  • Can Require Frequent Removal - While the ability to take out your aligner trays is a benefit of this treatment option, it can also be viewed as an inconvenience for some patients. Invisalign aligners need to be removed before consuming anything other than water. When you remove your trays, they will need to be rinsed, and you must always brush and floss after meals before putting them back in.  
  • No Tobacco Use - Tobacco use of any kind is not permitted while wearing your aligner trays. If you've been looking for another good reason to quit, Invisalign treatment could be it. (Maybe this should be listed as an advantage!)
  • Not Appropriate for All Treatment Cases - Some orthodontic issues are too complex or severe to be successfully resolved with Invisalign alone. In some of these more extreme cases, our dentist might recommend treatment with traditional braces or a multifaceted treatment plan that begins treatment with traditional braces or a palate expander before transitioning to treatment with Invisalign.

Answering Common Invisalign Questions: Invisalign FAQs

What Does the Invisalign Procedure Entail?

Treatment with Invisalign is a fairly simple process. It begins with a consultation and diagnostic images, including three-dimensional digital dental impressions. The impressions are uploaded into powerful design software where your entire treatment regimen is planned out and designed. These specifications are then sent to Invisalign so that they can manufacture your custom-designed clear aligner trays.  

Once your trays are ready, our dentist teaches you how to use and maintain your aligner system. You will wear each set of aligner trays for 22 hours each day for about two weeks before moving on to the next set of trays in your treatment plan. We will schedule you for a few checkups to check in and monitor your treatment progress. Once you've worn all of your trays, you can begin enjoying your new smile.  

How Much Is Invisalign Without Insurance?

Treatment costs associated with Invisalign can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the individual patient's case, the complexity and duration of treatment, and the number of aligner trays needed to achieve the treatment goals. Without insurance, the cost of Invisalign can range from about $3,000 to $8,000 on average, with some treatment plans falling above or below this range.

Since Invisalign offers more than simply cosmetic benefits to oral health, most dental insurance plans offer some type of coverage. Whether or not you have dental insurance coverage, our office staff will be happy to provide you with a complete cost estimate for treatment with Invisalign to help with your decision and oral health budgeting.  

Can Invisalign Fix an Overbite and Can Invisalign Fix an Underbite?

While Invisalign's capabilities vary from case to case, it can successfully address mild to moderate cases of malocclusion including:

  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Crossbite
  • Open bite

What Other Kinds of Orthodontic Issues Does Invisalign Treat?

Invisalign also addresses mild to moderate cases of:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Crowded teeth
  • Gapped teeth
  • Dental alignment issues

How Long Does It Take for Invisalign to Work?

Invisalign begins working right away. Patients must wear their aligner trays for at least 22 hours each day for treatment to be effective and on schedule. The total duration of treatment with Invisalign depends on the complexity and severity of the case. The more complex and extensive the orthodontic correction, the longer it will take to achieve your desired treatment results. While mild orthodontic issues can be effectively addressed in as little as three to six months, more complex cases might require 12 to 18 months of treatment.  

Invisalign vs. ClearCorrect: What's the Difference?

Invisalign and ClearCorrect are simply different companies or brands that offer orthodontic treatment with clear, plastic aligner trays. Both companies offer slightly different and effective options.

Is Invisalign Right for Me? Request a Consultation for Invisalign in Bellbrook, OH

If you're an adult dealing with orthodontic issues, we strongly encourage you to seek treatment. During a consultation at Seva Dental, our dentist will examine your teeth, gums, bite, and jawbone structure to help you determine whether or not Invisalign is the right treatment option for you. Additionally, we can answer your questions and talk with you about what you can anticipate regarding your specific Invisalign treatment needs (schedule, aftercare, results, and costs).  

To learn more about treatment with Invisalign or to request a consultation and find out if Invisalign is worth it for you, we welcome you to contact Seva Dental in Bellbrook, Ohio today.  

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