I'm about to start Invisalign orthodonture- I'd like to hear opinions of the procedure, pro and con...

Question

From everything I've heard, Invisalign sounds like a really great process, but I'd like to get other opinions please.

Answer 1

Its a really good program. But I had it a little too long ago to really give you details. I had them for about 2 years. One thing in maintenancing them is that make sure you dont eat with them on, make sure you clean them out EVERY NIGHT. Calcium deposits may get on them, so just be very clean about them. Like washing them after you eat. Its a fairly simple procedure, much like getting real braces, just do NOT swallow the purple stuff that they put in your mouth. That was nasty. A pro is that no one can tell you have braces, and con is stay away from flash photography with them on. Good Luck!
~Love Always
Bianca

Answer 2

Invisalign is an excellent choice for corrective orthodontic treatment. We've had many patients who've used them instead of the traditional method and have had outstanding results in a short period of time and enjoyed the process as well. Of coarse no one "likes" having anything in their mouth except for food or drink, but these are exceptionally comfortable. If you follow your directions and wear them 24/7 with the exclusion of eating, brushing and flossing and maintain your checkups you should do just as well. One of the main benefits of wearing these is your ability to continue with your excellent brushing and flossing skills without having to brush brackets, bands and wires which require more time and effort to maintain. This reduces the swelling of the tissue due to plaque build up around the brackets and bands at the gum line which can be painful during your time in braces. There is also the fact that they are not noticable to others. Also they don't irritate the tissue of your lips and cheeks as the traditional braces do with the brackets, bands and wires, not to mention that you will have nothing to come loose or break as is common with braces.

There are the occasional patients who don't do well, these are the ones who just didn't wear them as directed or missed appointment regularly. Or some who just can't keep up with the trays and loose them, this usually happens only once.

The appointments are where we check that the movement is at the correct point at the correct time, we step up the trays or keep you in one longer to gain the desired movement. So wearing the trays as directed, keeping up with the appointments, although they are sometimes inconvenient, they are all very important and can speed up your time in Invisalign.

You've made a great choice and will notice the changes as quickly or even faster, and have a more enjoyable experience wearing these. Hope I've been of some help and good luck with your treatment! I'm sure you will be thankful that you've decided to use Invisalign for you orthodontic treatment!

I hope you will overlook the comments by the DDS below. He obviously didn't send his impressions into the company for them to make the many trays that a patients goes through during the treatment. Not just a few trays, a lot of them. So the only thing I can think is that he cut some corners saying his treatment was Invisalign when it wasn't, perhaps that's why he had poor results. All we do is take photos and impressions to send to the company, they do the rest. It's actually Invisalign that makes the decision if you are even a candidate for their product. All we do is monitor your progress and report anything negative that the Dentist thinks might need correcting. So I certainly hope he didn't sway your decision about using Invisalign. The DDS undoubtably doesn't know the product as well as I do. I've seen the results with hundreds of patients over the years, I know it works and it works well. Once again, good luck!

Answer 3

I am an Orthodontist can probably help you with this question. Invisalign is an excellent choice to straighten your teeth but as notice I used the word "straighten". With Invisalign, It is not possible to achieve perfect occlusion. In my norther California Orthodontic practice, I discourage my patients because with traditional braces, I achieve much better results and have better control over treatment.

With Invisalign, just make sure you take them out when you are eating or drinking any thing hot. Make sure to brush the aligners well and keep them real clean. More importantly, make sure you wear them well. You have to change the aligners every 2 weeks and will go to your Orthodontist every 8-10 weeks depending on how many aligners you get. Generally I give my patients 3 aligners and will see them at 8 week intervals. Hope that helps.