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Invisalign transforms smiles discreetly and comfortably. The treatment uses removable aligners that are virtually invisible to straighten the teeth into a beautiful smile without using any visible metal brackets or wires.
The aligners are completely transparent and custom-made.
The clear aligners can discreetly correct various orthodontic issues. The treatment results in a well-balanced, even smile in as little as twelve months. Invisalign aligners look like clear, flexible retainers and are removable so they can be taken out before eating or brushing.
In most cases, Invisalign can also correct a wide range of teeth misalignments. However, your dentist or orthodontist may suggest braces for specific rare midline cases.
There are both pros and cons of Invisalign treatment:
Traditional braces consist of small brackets fixed to your teeth, linked by a wire, and held to the brackets by rubber bands. These braces move the teeth into the correct position by applying pressure.
The braces' wire is regularly tightened by an orthodontist or dentist to shift your teeth into place slowly. Sometimes, the brackets are colorful.
There are also pros and cons to braces:
Invisalign treatment time typically takes anywhere between 12 to 18 months. While the precise amount of time depends on each patient’s requirements, Invisalign usually works faster in straightening teeth than traditional braces.
Generally, Invisalign takes less time than traditional braces to shift teeth into the correct position. This is because of the type of force the process uses to move teeth.
Invisalign clear aligners add force to the teeth altogether while braces move each tooth individually.
For optimal and quick results, it is essential to follow the instructions for wearing Invisalign clear aligners.
Both traditional braces and Invisalign have their pros and cons. If you are an adult or have a teenager who tends to be self-conscious, Invisalign may be more appealing than braces.
As Invisalign aligners are removable so you can eat, drink, brush, and floss more naturally, this may also sound more desirable. But if having to remove the aligner trays for eating or drinking anything apart from water seems inconvenient, Invisalign treatment may not be for you. Plus, patients must brush their teeth after each meal before placing their trays back into their mouth to avoid staining.
It is also essential to understand that Invisalign’s success depends almost entirely on the wearer. If you do not wear your Invisalign aligners, they will not work. But when wearing metal braces, you do not have any choice in the matter.
If you need to treat your back teeth or need to rotate or shift teeth vertically, Invisalign may not be an option. It is a good idea to visit an orthodontist experienced with both traditional metal braces and Invisalign. That way, they can recommend the most effective treatment to suit your needs.
The cost of Invisalign is comparable to braces. Metal braces are typically priced from $1,800 to $5,500. Invisalign varies from between $3,000 to $5,000.
Only your orthodontist will know how much your dental treatment will be. It is essential to know that other factors also affect the price. If your teeth require more attention and work, this will heighten the price.
If you have an overbite, this means it will take longer to shift your teeth into the desired position. The average dental prices in your city and how much your dental insurance plan will cover also affects the price.
Azaripour, A et al., Braces versus Invisalign®: gingival parameters and patients' satisfaction during treatment: a cross-sectional study., BMC oral health vol. 15 69. 24 Jun. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4478712/
How much does Invisalign Treatment cost?, Invisalign, https://www.invisalign.co.uk/invisalign-cost
Braces Have Changed, From Metal to Tooth-Colored to Clear, United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), June 2017, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/braces-have-changed-metal-tooth-colored-clear
Ke, Yunyan et al., A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies., BMC oral health vol. 19,1 24. 23 Jan. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6343314/
Treatable cases, Invisalign, https://www.invisalign.com/treatable-cases
Frequently asked questions, Invisalign, https://www.invisalign.com/frequently-asked-questions