When you first find out that you or your child need orthodontic treatment, you may be unsure of what to expect in the months to come. If you aren’t sure about the treatment options available to you, you might be dreading a mouthful of metal braces in your future. While traditional braces have come a long way in recent years, many of our teen and adult patients are hesitant to use them to get a straighter smile. Is Invisalign worth it?
Thankfully, traditional metal braces are no longer your only option. Today, there are a multitude of treatment options, including clear or tooth-colored braces, lingual braces that fit to the back of your teeth and Invisalign clear aligners. Here at Pioneer Orthodontics, we’ll create a treatment plan based upon your unique smile that will give you the best possible results! We understand that what works for one person may not be the best option for another, so we’ll take several factors into consideration when deciding which treatment is the best for you. This includes:
- Your specific diagnosis
- The amount of work that needs to be done
- Your lifestyle
- Your goals
- Your personal preference
- Your budget
Invisalign clear aligners have become the most popular alternative to traditional braces, and it’s easy to see why! In most cases, aligners are equivalent in price to traditional metal braces. In some cases, however, they can be slightly more expensive, leading some to wonder if it’s really worth the difference in cost. To learn more about why we believe Invisalign aligners are a great investment in your smile, keep reading below!
Invisalign offers you a more subtle way to straighten your smile
One of the most attractive features of Invisalign aligners is that they are made of a clear plastic that is barely noticeable to most people. For patients who are worried about orthodontic treatment bringing attention to their teeth, Invisalign is a great alternative! Since aligners can be removed for short periods of time, clear aligners are also perfect for any events where you want your natural smile to shine through, such as weddings, proms, or family photos.
Invisalign comes with extra flexibility
Patients who choose to go with Invisalign clear aligner therapy are able to enjoy more freedom than traditional braces can offer! For example, patients who wear braces are restricted from foods that are sticky or crunchy because they can cause damage to the wires and brackets. Because Invisalign aligners are not fixed to your teeth, they can be removed, allowing you to enjoy your favorite snacks without worrying about damage to your braces.
Invisalign makes it easy to maintain good oral hygiene
When it comes to keeping up your oral hygiene routine, braces can come with a bit of a learning curve. The extra wires and brackets can be challenging to brush and floss around in the beginning. They can also make it more difficult to get rid of lingering food particles or plaque. That isn’t a problem with Invisalign! You can simply remove your aligner before brushing your teeth and follow your normal oral hygiene routine. The aligners themselves are also easy to take care of. There are specialized cleaning kits or you can use a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste to gently brush them.
Invisalign can straighten your teeth in less time than braces
Each case is unique and every patient responds to treatment in their own way, so there is never a “one size fits all” answer as to the length of orthodontic treatment.
With the Invisalign clear aligner system, patient compliance is key to the success of treatment. For the aligners to have the desired result, it’s important to wear them for 20-22 hours per day while undergoing the treatment process. Every 1-2 weeks you’ll switch your aligner for the next one in the series to keep your teeth gradually moving to their new positions.
If you‘re committed to your Invisalign treatment and are fully compliant, treatment can last from 6 to 18 months, which is slightly faster than the average braces treatment!
Invisalign works well for a multitude of orthodontic issues
In its early days, Invisalign aligners were most commonly used to treat simple spacing issues or mild crowding. Once orthodontists began to realize the potential of the unique system, it began to grow in popularity, which led to drastic improvements in the design. The Invisalign clear aligner system can now treat the following issues with lasting results:
- gaps between teeth
- crowding
- deep overbite
- over bite
- crossbite
- excessive overjet
When used by an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Cserna, the Invisalign system can be just as effective as traditional braces!
Invisalign offers special features for teen patients
When it comes to the benefits and treatment technology, Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are exactly the same. However, Invisalign Teen includes some features that were developed specifically to meet the needs of our teenage patients, including:
Compliance indicators
As we mentioned before, patient compliance is the most important part in having success with Invisalign. The aligners must be worn as instructed by Dr. Cserna in order to see the desired results. The compliance indicators that are incorporated into Invisalign Teen fade from blue to clear, showing parents and orthodontists how often they’ve been worn. This shows them that the patient is keeping up their end of treatment!
Eruption tabs
These tabs allow extra space for the growth of the second molars in young adults. Keeping this space open for extra teeth makes it possible to treat a wider range of orthodontic issues with Invisalign.
Replacement aligners
We know accidents happen and sometimes our teen patients may lose or break an aligner. While your teen should always handle their aligners with care, don’t worry if this happens! Invisalign Teen will provide you with up to six replacement aligners at no additional cost, just in case.
Trust your smile to the Invisalign experts at Pioneer Orthodontics
The Invisalign clear aligner system has a number of benefits, but it may not be right for everyone. In general, aligners tend to work best for adult and teen patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. Cases that are more complex or severe might require more precise tooth control that a removable aligner is unable to accomplish.
Once you schedule your free consultation with Dr. Cserna, she’ll be able to assess your individual needs and determine if Invisalign treatment is right for your smile. If she feels you should pursue a different route, we’ll talk you through all of your options and make a plan together. You can trust us to recommend only what we think is best for your individual smile!
During your initial consultation, we’ll also spend some time outlining the investment required for your new smile. You’ll learn about all of your payment options as well as insurance coverage information. We’ll make sure you have everything you need to understand your investment and clearly weigh your options. Knowing there’s a discreet, comfortable, and flexible treatment option that will give you life-long results is worth the investment!
If you’re ready to learn more about the Invisalign clear aligner system and how it can give you the smile you deserve, contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Cserna!