According to the American Association of Orthodontists, most people have some type of malocclusion, which is a condition that affects tooth alignment. Often, the condition is due to the shape and/or size of your jaws and/or teeth. You may have too much room, which can cause gaps between your teeth, or not enough room, which can cause teeth to be crowded together. In some cases, it may be due to childhood habits such as thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier or bottle use.
For many years, the primary treatment for malocclusion was traditional metal braces, which were undesirable for many reasons. Therefore, many patients chose to live with their malocclusion, which led to many other dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
Invisalign was introduced in the late 1990s as an alternative. This treatment option is a series of clear aligners designed to put even pressure on the teeth to shift them. The aligners are transparent, so they are virtually invisible, and they can be removed for eating and taking care of oral hygiene.
Dr. Abadin at Abadin Dental in Coral Gables, Florida has been an Invisalign provider for 15 years and has completed more than 2,000 Invisalign cases. He is a Diamond provider and has the experience and expertise to accelerate your treatment.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Invisalign treatment to help you determine if Invisalign is worth it?
Invisalign Pros
Invisalign offers several advantages over traditional metal braces, including:
Subtle
Invisalign aligners are transparent, making them virtually invisible. This is one of the primary reasons this treatment is so popular among older teens and professionals. Even when someone is standing close to you, they are not likely to notice them- as long as you are following the proper care and maintenance requirements.
Faster Treatment Time
Traditional orthodontic treatment takes 12 to 24 months and may take up to 36 months, depending on the type and severity of your malocclusion. Invisalign, on the other hand, takes an average of 12 to 18 months. Patients with mild malocclusion often see results in as little as 6 months. On the other hand, patients with more severe malocclusion may need up to 36 months.
No Food Restrictions
Invisalign aligners are removable, which means you don’t have to worry about food restrictions. However, you must brush your teeth (or at least rinse your mouth) after eating to remove food debris and reduce your risk of damaging and/or staining your aligners.
Ideal for a Variety of Issues
Invisalign clear aligners have been proven to be effective in a variety of malocclusions, including:
- Overjet
- Gaps between teeth
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Open bite
- Crowding
While primarily recommended for mild to moderate cases, Invisalign may also be used for more severe cases when used with attachments and/or rubber bands. However, it is not recommended for severely rotated teeth or for significant gaps between teeth.
Invisalign Cons
Eating/Drinking
The aligners must be removed for eating/drinking, which means you need to keep your case with you at all times.
Cleaning Aligners
Any time you remove your aligners, you should rinse them when you take them out and before you put them back in. In addition, you must take the time to clean them when you brush/floss your teeth. If you do not keep them clean, they could develop stains and/or harbor bacteria and plaque, increasing your risk of tooth decay and making them more noticeable.
Potentially Noticeable
The aligners are transparent, which means they are virtually invisible, even when someone is standing close by. However, there are a few situations that could potentially make them more noticeable:
If your malocclusion is on the severe end of the spectrum and you need attachments or buttons, they are more likely to be noticed
If you do not remove your aligners when eating/drinking or if you do not keep them clean, they may become discolored, making them more noticeable.
If you smoke while wearing your aligners, they could become stained, making them more noticeable.
Slight Discomfort
While the aligners are more comfortable than the brackets and wires of traditional metal braces, you may experience some slight discomfort. This primarily occurs when you first begin treatment or when you first switch to a new set of aligners. Over time, as teeth shift, the discomfort will lessen- but then you will switch to a new set, which increases discomfort.
Is Invisalign Worth It? How To Choose
The decision of which treatment is best for your malocclusion is a very personal one. You must take the time to consider the pros and cons and decide which ones are most important to you. Invisalign offers many benefits and has very few disadvantages. Plus, the cost is about the same and most dental plans will cover a portion of treatment.
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Abadin and the team at Abadin Dental to discuss your options for resolving your malocclusion. We are located on Biltmore Way in Coral Gables, Florida. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. In addition to Invisalign, we offer general, cosmetic, and restorative services for the entire family.
Invisalign FAQs
If you have any questions or concerns about your dental treatment options, Dr. Abadin and the team will be happy to discuss them. Below are some of the most common questions that we’ve gotten about Invisalign
Can you eat with Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners should be removed when you are eating/drinking. If you eat/drink while wearing the aligners, you may stain or damage them, which can cause your treatment time to increase.
How does Invisalign work?
Invisalign clear aligners are custom-made to fit snugly against the teeth, gradually shifting them into their appropriate position. Aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day. You should only remove them when eating/drinking or taking care of oral hygiene. Each set of aligners should be worn for 1 to 3 weeks based on your treatment plan. Never throw out the previous aligner, because if your current one becomes damaged before you’re ready to move up to the next one, you’ll need the old one.
How long does Invisalign take?
On average, Invisalign takes about 12 to 18 months. Patients on the mild end of the spectrum may only need 6 months of treatment, while patients on the more severe end of the spectrum may need up to 24 months. Dr. Abadin can work with you to expedite your treatment.
How long do you have to wear Invisalign?
Can you chew gum with Invisalign?
Many professionals advise against chewing gum while wearing aligners, while others agree that it’s fine, as long as you follow certain rules and stick to only certain kinds of gum. Ideally, it’s probably best to only chew gum during the 2 to 4 hours you can remove your aligners to avoid any potential complications.
