Does Invisalign Work? Pros, Cons, Effectiveness

Crooked or improperly aligned teeth can significantly affect your smile, cause bite problems, and increase your risk of oral infections. Fortunately, orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign can help align your smile and bite.

When considering straightening treatments, most people opt for Invisalign aligners rather than traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces that adhere to the teeth throughout the treatment, Invisalign offers a clear and removable option to straighten your smile.

Let’s learn more about Invisalign, how it works, its effectiveness, and its pros and cons.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners or trays are a popular brand of clear aligners made from a thermoplastic material called SmartTrack. It was introduced in 1998 by Align Technology, and it’s perhaps the most popular and commonly used clear aligner. Alternative brands include Spark, uLab, and ClearCorrect.

Before the treatment, the dentist will examine you to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the treatment. If you are, they will discuss additional details like the cost of Invisalign treatment and schedule you accordingly. We offer Invisalign near Randolph.

Invisalign consists of removable clear or virtually invisible trays or aligners. Therefore, they are less noticeable than traditional braces. You should wear the aligners daily for a minimum of 20- 22 hours. Wearing them less could delay or prevent results.

Another key point about Invisalign treatment is that you must remove the aligners when eating, drinking, and brushing. Then, you must brush or rinse your mouth when putting them back in. You must also clean your aligners daily. All these actions reduce the risk of bacteria and plaque build-up in the trays, potentially leading to oral infections and bad breath.

Additionally, you will use a new pair of aligners every two weeks. Each pair of aligners pushes the teeth gradually to the desired location. Depending on your condition, the dentist will schedule several appointments to review your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

How effective is Invisalign?

Generally, the effectiveness of Invisalign aligners depends on several factors. While there’s limited research on the efficacy of Invisalign treatment, several reputable sources have indicated Invisalign to be more effective than other types of clear aligners. Below are common factors that can affect the effectiveness of Invisalign aligners:

• Your condition. Generally, Invisalign is only effective for minor to moderate orthodontic problems. It won’t work for complex misalignments or malocclusions. Traditional braces have proven to be more effective for complex orthodontic problems.
• Patient compliance. Following your dentist’s instructions is your best chance of getting the most out of your treatment. It means wearing your aligners for 20 – 22 hours daily, wearing a new pair of them every two weeks, and removing them when eating, brushing, and drinking. Cleaning your aligners prevents oral problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, which can interrupt your treatment.
• Sex and age. A study showed that teeth movements increase slightly at ages 35 – 50. The study also found that tooth shifting didn’t decline for women aged 50 – 70 as it did for men. Therefore, Invisalign might be more effective for women and individuals aged 35 to 50.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign

To help you decide whether Invisalign is right for you, below are popular pros and cons of this treatment:

Pros

• Virtually invisible. The clear or invisible nature of Invisalign aligners is a common reason for choosing the treatment. While not completely invisible, Invisalign aligners are far less noticeable than traditional metal braces with metal wires and brackets.
• Removable. Another benefit of Invisalign is that you can remove them whenever necessary. For instance, when eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, or during a special occasion. It gives Invisalign an upper hand over traditional braces, which can only be removed or adjusted by the dentist.
• Easy oral hygiene. You have to brush and floss over and around traditional braces. Since Invisalign are removable, you can easily brush and floss your mouth normally.
• Fewer appointments. Since you can remove and wear the aligners on your own, you require fewer dental appointments.
• Versatile. Invisalign effectively corrects several orthodontic problems like misalignments, teeth gaps, and overcrowding.
• Faster results. For minor to moderate cases, Invisalign has shown results faster than other orthodontic treatments.
• No food limitations. Since you remove the aligners when eating or drinking, your food choices are minimally limited.

Cons

• Not ideal for complex orthodontic problems
• Requires strict compliance
• You must remove them when eating, brushing, or drinking
• Invisalign’s cost might be higher than other orthodontic treatments

Schedule an appointment today

Are you interested in Invisalign near you? Contact Randolph Dental Group for a free consultation in Randolph, MA.