Does Invisalign Work? Pros, Cons, Effectiveness (2023)

FAQs

Is Invisalign effective or not? ›

Invisalign can address many of the issues corrected by traditional braces. When worn according to the treatment plan, plastic aligners can bring about real transformations. But they are not a universal fix. Many orthodontists suggest that Invisalign be used in only mild to moderate cases.

In general, the success rate of Invisalign is quite high. The overall success rate of Invisalign is around 96%. This means that 96% of patients who complete treatment with Invisalign achieve their desired results and are completely satisfied with the treatment.

Tooth Discomfort

Any orthodontia that shifts your teeth positions may cause discomfort, especially at the beginning of treatment. Though Invisalign generally creates less discomfort than braces, the aligners will likely feel tight at first. Your mouth may also feel heavy and full, leading to potential jaw soreness.

Invisalign limitations

Severe overbite: Though a regular overbite may be addressed, severe overbite may require the use of braces. Tooth shape: Too-short or pegged teeth can prevent Invisalign from working properly. Tooth position: If your teeth are too rotated, Invisalign cannot shift them into proper alignment.

For adults, Invisalign® is often preferred because it's practically invisible, results in fewer emergency appointments, requires fewer visits, and adults often present with compromised teeth and/or gum tissues.

Because the Invisalign® system makes life easier for their patients, orthodontists often prefer it over metal braces. However, for patients with severely misaligned teeth, braces are the better option. Sometimes, teeth need to be twisted as part of the straightening process.

You can rest assured that Invisalign treatment is permanent and will give you straighter teeth for a lifetime if you follow the orthodontist's instructions.

From 12 to 80 years old, countless patients have achieved fantastic results through Invisalign treatment. In fact, the average age of people straightening their smile with Invisalign is 32 years old. Seniors and retirees can remaster their smiles with ease through this more discrete treatment option without any hassle.

The average time needed for Invisalign to straighten your teeth is about 12 months. You may require more or less time. Your orthodontist will discuss your progress during your regular visits.

This includes instances of gaps in your teeth or crowded teeth, mild overbites or underbites, protruding teeth, and crooked teeth. If you have a major issue that requires your jawbone to be moved, such as a severe overbite or underbite, Invisalign isn't recommended.

Why doesn t everyone use Invisalign? ›

The effectiveness of Invisalign is limited. When compared to traditional braces, Invisalign does not offer your orthodontist a greater control over tooth movements. Invisalign also fails to treat severe cases of malocclusions.

But as it turns out, it is common for teeth to remain crooked after the normal Invisalign treatment program. Re-treatment occurs in half the patients to get the Invisalign results desired.

You aren't taking proper care of your aligners.

Avoid using hot water to clean your aligners as this can warp and weaken the plastic, which will then alter how the trays fit in your mouth. Clean your aligners as recommended to avoid build-up and ensure your teeth stay healthy.

The biggest risk of missing any period of Invisalign® use is that the teeth may shift back to an incorrect position. Invisalign® aligners are intended to be worn for 22 to 23 hours out of the day. Any less than this, and you risk hurting your progress.

The treatment with braces can be much quicker because unlike Invisalign that depends on the patient's needs, metal braces are irremovable. Braces are very efficient when it comes to fixing complex tooth issues, and they can align teeth and close gaps much faster than Invisalign.

Invisalign® has become the standard for teeth straightening treatment due to the ease of the process and the many benefits it offers. Unlike traditional approaches such as braces, Invisalign® allows individuals to undergo an easy and flexible treatment process that also allows for discreetness!

So, the next question we need to answer is, do aligners lead to cavities? In short, no. In fact, whether or not you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, your best defence against tooth decay is regular and proper brushing and flossing.

Invisalign doesn't have the same force and capabilities to move teeth as braces. Therefore, complex orthodontic treatment or cases that require significant movement of teeth need braces, not Invisalign to achieve the desired outcome.

A dentist can provide initial consultation and evaluation for Invisalign. An orthodontist can treat more complex cases with Invisalign and has additional training in straightening teeth (but they cost a lot more). If you have a highly complex dental problem that, it is best to see an orthodontist.

Why do orthodontists prefer Invisalign? ›

A huge advantage of wearing Invisalign clear aligners over traditional braces is not getting food stuck in your brackets and wires. With traditional braces removing all the food that gets trapped is a huge challenge. This can often lead to plaque buildup and eventually tooth decay.

An orthodontic relapse can occur if teeth move positions after the tooth straightening treatment (braces). Our orthodontists have seen many cases where this has happened and now provide treatments to prevent and treat this problem.

If you forget to wear Invisalign, your teeth will begin to shift back to their original position. The aligners will not fit properly. Do not worry, though. It will not be difficult to get back on track with your treatment.

The simple answer is: “It depends.” For simple cases, treatment time with Invisalign aligners can be as short as six months. Typically, Invisalign will take 12 months to 18 months to straighten your teeth. For more complex cases such as crowded teeth, the treatment time could be 24 months or slightly longer.

There is no upward age limit for Invisalign. Many of the people who seek the cosmetic and oral health benefits of Invisalign are adults who are well into their 40s, 50s, and older. We love seeing our older patients enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile. Having straight teeth is a benefit at any age.

It's Never Too Late To Get Your Dream Smile

Generally speaking, there is no specific age requirement for Invisalign. You are a candidate no matter your age. As long as you are someone who is serious about wanting to improve your smile and overall oral health, we encourage you to consider clear aligners.

In a word–no. There is no age that is “too old” to take advantage of Invisalign. Many people who are looking for cosmetic and oral health benefits are well into their 50s or older. There isn't an age limit on having and enjoying a beautiful smile.

However, we recommend that you limit the amount of time the aligners are not in your mouth to no more than 2 hours per day. In other words, you need to wear your aligners for around 22 hours every day. Ignoring this advice could delay the date that you finish your Invisalign treatment.

In general, wearing Invisalign aligners for 20 hours a day is sufficient to achieve the desired results. However, it's important to note that each patient is different, and the orthodontist may prescribe a different amount of wear time based on the individual needs of the patient.

Depending on the individual undergoing treatment, it takes 4-8 months to complete. The dentist will use Invisalign Go if your teeth are crowded or widely spaced. They may also use them on teeth requiring slight rotations. This package allows 20-26 Invisalign aligner changes during orthodontics.

Why is Invisalign so difficult? ›

There are different reasons why you're not able to remove or take out Invisalign aligners like they are too tight, you have sore gums or teeth, you are starting Invisalign for the first time, or you eat certain drinks or food items that make it difficult to take handle your aligners afterward.

Most of the patients find it difficult to pronounce words with the sound of 's,' 'sh,' 'z' or 'th'. However, the problem is not noticeable enough, and you can adapt to the speech change once you wear your Invisalign for more than 2 weeks.

Maintain Your Invisalign Perks

People love Invisalign because they can eat whatever they want without restrictions. Wearers of traditional metal braces have plenty of limits about the foods that are OK to eat with brackets and wires on their teeth.

Also, in relation to what foods are good to eat when you are getting used to your new Invisalign aligner trays yogurt, eggs, or pasta are good options. This is because the texture and consistency of these foods will help to avoid irritating any discomfort from the trays.

After Invisalign treatment, an orthodontist can complete minor reshaping, but if it's more involved, find an advanced cosmetic dentist. It's unlikely that your general dentist has enough experience to reshape your teeth precisely. At times, cosmetic dentists use composite bonding to finish the case.

Generally speaking, after your aligners are removed, your teeth should look straight. Gaps should appear minimal and there should not be any crowding between your teeth. If you noticed any crooked or twisted teeth before treatment, you should only see straight teeth when you smile.

Once a patient goes through all of the aligners, the teeth will most likely be perfectly straight.

It's pretty common for a new set of Invisalign trays to feel very tight. In some cases, it may even seem like they can't fit over your teeth. If you've just switched to a new set of trays and they're not fitting onto your teeth, you can use Invisalign “Chewies” to seat them properly.

Tenderness and slight discomfort are actually a good sign! It means your aligners are working and moving your teeth. It'll all be worth it in the end when you have a beautifully straight smile for the rest of your life.

Tips to Drink With Invisalign

You can drink alcoholic or sugary drinks with a straw. It minimizes the contact of the drink to your aligners and teeth. Earn bonus points by using biodegradable straws instead of plastic straw. Always carry a dedicated case with Invisalign aligners with you.

Do I need to brush my teeth every time I eat with Invisalign? ›

After every meal, try to brush your teeth or, at the very least, rinse them thoroughly with water if a better option isn't available. Invisalign hugs your teeth – you don't want any food or bacteria to fester in there for hours at a time.

You Need To Take Your Trays Out While Drinking Anything Except Water. Full stop. You can't drink coffee or any other beverage besides tap or bottled water while wearing Invisalign.

The answer is a resounding yes. Invisalign is designed to be a permanent solution, but there is a small catch. Whether you correct your teeth with braces or Invisalign, there's always the potential that they can shift back after your treatment. So, our rule of thumb is that your results are only as good as your habits.

Which is better, braces or Invisalign? Braces are better for people with severe crookedness and most kids and teens. Invisalign and other brands of clear aligners are best for adults who want a nearly invisible and more comfortable straightening method, as long as the teeth aren't too crooked.

Yes, you'll need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment. Even though Invisalign moves teeth differently from traditional metal braces, the result is still the same.

Although it may take longer for most patients, some may see results from their Invisalign treatment in as little as two weeks. So while some may have to wait three months before their smile improves, others may have to wait at least five months before noticing any changes to their smile.

Typically, the lateral incisors or the teeth next to your front teeth are the most challenging to move with Invisalign aligners and traditional braces.

Unlike with traditional braces that use a wire to push or pull teeth into the most optimal alignment, Invisalign® uses a series of plastic aligners to push the teeth into a better alignment. Thus, they are an ideal invisible choice, especially for adults who've always wanted a winning smile.

What Happens If You Only Wear Invisalign at Night? While you technically can wear Invisalign only at night, in general, no orthodontist recommends it. Wearing clear aligners exclusively at night can potentially double the expected treatment time, even if your case is very mild.

What is the lifespan of Invisalign retainers? ›

Vivera® Invisalign retainers typically last around 10 years. However, things like night grinding and poor cleaning will reduce how long they last. If your removable retainer breaks or looks worse for wear, make sure you contact an Invisalign dentist for a new one straight away.

Invisalign can't reshape your teeth, so if you have a few teeth that are very small or misshapen, it may not be possible to get Invisalign treatment. These improperly-shaped teeth can mess up the alignment of your aligners. However, you may be able to have these teeth treated with a dental crown or dental bonding.

Treatment with Invisalign Lite requires only 14 aligners. Depending on the individual undergoing treatment, it takes 4-8 months to complete. The dentist will use Invisalign Go if your teeth are crowded or widely spaced. They may also use them on teeth requiring slight rotations.