Invisalign

You are a good candidate for Invisalign if you have minor to mild orthodontic issues, such as:

• Crowded teeth
• Rotated teeth
• Gaps between the teeth
• Overbite, underbite, or crossbite

People with severe and complex orthodontic issues might be recommended traditional braces instead of Invisalign. Additionally, for your Invisalign treatment to be effective, you should be ready to commit to wearing your aligners at least 22 hours every day.

Invisalign treatment can take as few as 6 months for people who need to fix minor orthodontic issues, while more complex cases may take up to 24 months. However, the majority of patients need 12 to 18 months to complete the treatment.

Generally, Invisalign is considered more comfortable to wear and use compared to traditional metal braces for the following reasons:

• You can take Invisalign off when you eat, meaning that you will have fewer dietary restrictions than with traditional braces.
• It is easier to brush and floss your teeth with Invisalign than with unremovable braces.
• Invisalign is less visible in the mouth.
• Invisalign does not have metal and protruding parts that can irritate the soft tissue in the mouth.
• An orthodontic treatment with Invisalign requires fewer visits to the dental office than treatment with braces.

However, Invisalign is not universally better for every person. It is effective for patients with minor to mild orthodontic issues. If you have severe and complex issues, traditional braces may be a more effective option.

You need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours every day, taking them out only when eating and cleaning your teeth and the aligners. If you wear your aligners less than 22 hours a day, the treatment will be ineffective and is likely to take longer. You may also require additional aligners to correct the treatment, which will be more expensive.

Invisalign can be effectively used to treat minor to mild cases of the following orthodontic issues:

• Crowded teeth
• Rotated teeth
• Gaps between the teeth
• Overbite, underbite, or crossbite

Invisalign is reported to hurt less and cause less discomfort than traditional braces. However, an orthodontic treatment is bound to cause soreness from time to time regardless of the method used. It happens because the aligners apply pressure to your teeth to make them move through the jawbone and the gum tissue. Typically, you are likely to experience discomfort at the beginning of your treatment and when you switch your aligners to a new set around every 2 weeks.

During your Invisalign treatment, you will need to visit your dentist every 6 to 8 weeks for progress checks and to pick up your next set of aligners. In comparison, people who wear traditional braces need to visit the dental office as often as every week.

Some comprehensive dental plans can cover Invisalign treatment partially (up to 50%), especially if it is a medical necessity. Your dental insurance has to include orthodontics for Invisalign to be covered. However, many plans restrict orthodontics coverage to patients under 18 years old.

To properly maintain your aligners, follow these simple rules:

• Never eat or drink anything but clear water with your aligners in your mouth
• Clean your aligners twice a day with lukewarm water, unscented soap, and a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Soak your aligners in a cleaning solution regularly 
• Always store your aligners in a designated container when not wearing them, and clean the container regularly