Invisalign is the perfect alternative to the traditional metal braces used by orthodontists. Invisalign has been aggressively marketed as an easy-to-use, relatively painless, nearly invisible way of straightening teeth. Read on to learn whether Invisalign is worth the hype or not.
1.) Invisalign is Clear
One of the major appeals to Invisalign is that it is clear. Traditional metal braces are often large, bulky, easy to spot with the human eye, and uncomfortable for many people. Because companies have made amazing advances in dental technology over the years, there are now numerous cosmetic alternatives for people who don’t want metal braces or other traditional orthodontics work done on their teeth.
2.) Repetitive Strain Injury
Another benefit of Invisalign lies in its ability to prevent any repetitive strain injury (RSI) from occurring during treatment. RSI is a musculoskeletal disorder caused by repeatedly performing an activity resulting in inflammation, pain, and damage to the nerves, tendons, blood vessels, or skin. An Invisalign dentist can help prevent this type of injury from occurring during orthodontic treatment.
3.) Cosmetic Braces are Expensive
There is no denying that Invisalign treatment is expensive. It currently costs between $6,000 and $7,500 on average to get teeth straightened with this method. However, braces, in general, are very expensive when you factor in how much it costs for the traditional metal braces and include numerous additional fees associated with it – such as whitening or gum tissue recontouring.
Additionally, almost all orthodontists offer payment plans which often include interest if you don’t have dental insurance. Not having insurance may make your total cost around $8,000 to $12,000. An uninsured patient can expect to pay about 30% of the total treatment fee. An average Invisalign case is usually around 12 months long, so you are looking at an extra few thousand dollars after the first year if you don’t have insurance.
4.) Longer Treatment Time
Although there are clear benefits associated with choosing Invisalign over traditional braces, some patients may feel that it is not worth it for them due to its inconvenient length of treatment time. The period varies depending on how often you visit your orthodontist – anywhere from 12-18 months on average. During this time, there are plenty of phases that must be completed in order to get your teeth straightened properly. For example, you cannot eat anything too crunchy or sticky during the first phase because it could potentially dislocate your aligners.
5.) Tricky to Keep Track of
There are also some downsides to Invisalign that may make it a less desirable choice for people looking for convenience. One major downside is the difficulty in keeping track of your aligners. Because they are clear and blend in with your teeth, most people lose them frequently, especially if they are not diligent about keeping them in their original storage box.
This has led many users to choose alternatives such as the Damon System braces, which are not transparent, making them much easier to keep track of than Invisalign. Another downside is that it can be impossible to eat certain types of food while wearing the aligners. Although most people find this inconvenient, some do not mind it because they often use tray attachments for things like drinking and eating.
6.) Highly Effective
Finally, the most significant downside to Invisalign is that it takes a long time. This can be discouraging for many people looking for instant results, but teeth straightening is not instant. It can take upwards of 24 months if you don’t wear your aligners every day. The good news is that once they are removed at the end of treatment, your teeth should no longer move – even without wearing them regularly.
However, there are also some benefits to choosing Invisalign over traditional braces, which mainly lie in their cosmetic nature. Orthodontists have made huge strides in making braces less visible, which has allowed more people to get the orthodontic work done that they need on their teeth.
7.) Invisible Braces
One of the greatest benefits of using Invisalign is that it is practically invisible. Most people who use traditional metal braces keep them hidden behind their lips or teeth and only show them when required. This is because they can be rather unsightly and visible, especially if you wear very few clothes with no covering for your mouth.
In conclusion, opting for Invisalign over traditional metal braces is a personal choice. For some people, it may be worth the hassle, but not all cases are alike. Before deciding whether or not you should use them, you should consider whether or not they will fit your lifestyle and if any limitations would make it difficult for you to keep track of your aligners.
