Orthodontic treatments that use either braces or Invisalign are just a few of the many techniques used by dental professionals in straightening the teeth of their patients. They straighten teeth to give them an ideal position, improve their look, and promote proper function. Invisalign utilizes a set of clear plastic trays as a means of achieving the position. Traditional braces, on the other hand, usually make use of metal wires with the aim of getting the most ideal movement or position for the teeth.
Benefits of Invisalign
The use of Invisalign is an efficient method for tooth movements that are not too complicated. A set of clear, computer-generated trays is ideally worn 24 hours a day with change-outs every two weeks. There are certain trays that can last for six months to one year. However, these require some form of retention to prevent the teeth from shifting back. One of its best advantages is that the trays are relatively invisible. Hence the name Invisalign. Some people simply don’t want anyone to know they are wearing braces. They also provide help for people who wish to obtain straight teeth while still feeling comfortable in social situations. Wearing Invisalign offers comfort because it does not affect your speech.
Invisalign treatment can be expected to work more efficiently for aesthetic purposes rather than for the purpose of improving the functionality of the teeth. This is why many people, especially those who have complex dental problems, still prefer dental braces.
Can Anyone Get Invisalign Braces?
One of the biggest reasons patients decide against Invisalign is not because it is more expensive than metal braces and certainly not because it seems like more of a hassle than metal brace. It is because they do not think they are a good candidate for the treatment.
1. Invisalign is much more versatile than it used to be.
In the past, Invisalign was only really for very minor cases. If a few teeth needed to be shifted in order to give a patient a perfect smile, Invisalign was a good alternative, but it could never replace metal braces when it came to very severe cases. Invisalign was only for acute problems. Unlike metal braces that were designed to treat both cosmetic and structural issues, Invisalign braces could only treat cosmetic problems. Now, Invisalign is much more advanced and can actually treat more severe issues. There are some areas where metal braces will still be better than Invisalign. The Invisalign system likely will not be as effective at widening your arch or fixing an overbite as metal braces are. That said, many of the tooth alignment issues that used to be out of the question when it came to Invisalign treatment, can now be treated by this system. This makes it possible for a much wider number of people to be able to get Invisalign than could have in the past.
2. Invisalign does require a great deal of patient commitment.
While braces also require the patient to be engaged in his own treatment, Invisalign is required even more of its patients. If the patient is not committed to wearing their aligners for the prescribed number of hours every day, then they will not see the results that they want to see. Because Invisalign Braces or Invisalign Teen can be removed from the mouth, it is possible that patients could go days without wearing their aligners, setting back their treatment not just those number of days, but weeks and weeks, depending on how long the patient does not wear their aligners. Patients who do not feel like they can commit to wearing their aligners for at least twenty-two hours every day, while they are both awake and sleeping, are probably not good candidates for Invisalign. It requires the patient to take the time to keep track of the aligners, clean them, and wear them. When you have metal braces, you still have to clean them, but they are impossible to remove and therefore continue to work, even if you do not do your part as a patient.
3. Metal braces may be more efficient.
Efficiency might not be your primary concern, especially if the choice is between having a normal treatment with metal braces and a slightly longer treatment with invisible aligners. That said, metal braces will usually be faster than Invisalign. Why? Patient compliance is one concern. There is very little need for patient compliance when it comes to braces, but a great deal is required when it comes to Invisalign. The addition of wires that are heat-activated has made metal braces much more efficient than they used to be. Metal brackets and wires can put more pressure on the teeth and jaw than plastic sometimes can. That said, the difference between the time treatment takes with metal braces and the time it takes with plastic aligners may be as little as a few weeks or as great as a year, depending on the specific treatment, the needs of the patient, and the ability of that patient to comply with the instructions of their orthodontist. If you are concerned about getting your teeth as straight as possible as quickly as possible, you probably will want to talk to your orthodontist about how long each treatment would likely take.
4. Most insurance does cover Invisalign.
If your primary concern is the cost of Invisalign, you will be relieved to know that most dental plans now cover Invisalign. That said, they may not cover Invisalign entirely, there may be different rules and conditions when it comes to choosing this treatment that do not exist when you choose metal braces, etc. You’ll need to check with your orthodontist and with your insurance company before making any assumptions about whether or not your treatment will be covered. Offices like ours usually offer a payment plan so that even if you want Invisalign and your insurance does not cover it, it is still affordable.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions, so get an appointment today.