5 Things About Invisalign That Aren’t True

When it comes to Invisalign, it may seem like everyone is an expert. You may have heard former patients tell stories about how fast treatment time was and how fantastic their results were, but you may hear myths about treatment with Invisalign as well. The important thing to remember about Invisalign is that it works, but you’ve got to put in the work for maximum results. Here are five things about Invisalign that aren’t true.

1. Invisalign Can Only Correct Mild Issues

Many people believe Invisalign is only prescribed to patients with very minor orthodontic issues. The truth is, Invisalign can treat a multitude of issues with the teeth, ranging from mild to severe. Invisalign is used to treat the same issues as braces, including:

• Bite problems: overbites, underbites, crossbites
• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Crooked teeth

Depending on your issue, your orthodontist will recommend an Invisalign system that will work for you, and may recommend including Invisalign attachments in your treatment.

Invisalign attachments are small, discreet bumps attached to your teeth to achieve more precise control of tooth movement. Without them, the retainers alone would not be able to accomplish certain tooth movements to fix some orthodontic issues. These attachments, or “buttons,” are made of dental bonding material. Attaching them is painless and once treatment is done they can be polished right off. 

Additionally, these buttons allow for the use of rubber bands, or elastics, with Invisalign.  Hooks are cut into the spot where your elastics need to be and you just attach them right on the aligner. This additional method is used when there is a bite issue that needs to be corrected. Depending on what type of bite you have, bands will be connected toward the front or back of your teeth. Wearing rubber bands attached to your top and bottom aligners will gently move your teeth and jaws to their correct positions, and it’s important to wear them as instructed by your orthodontist to ensure you achieve the best possible results.

2. Invisalign Is Only for Adult Patients

Invisalign Teen was introduced for younger patients who want their orthodontic treatment to blend in with their active lifestyles, just like adults! With Invisalign Teen, certain precautions have been put in place, like compliance indicators to ensure the patient is wearing their aligners for the right amount of time each day and extra replacement trays. Let’s face it, teens are busy and sometimes things happen, so being able to have replacement trays available is important.

Being a teenager is hard enough, and orthodontic treatment can make any teen feel self-conscious. Invisalign is a less visible method of treatment that also doesn’t get in the way of your teen’s daily life. For example, Invisliagn doesn’t interfere with playing an instrument since they can just be taken out while practicing. While metal braces can pose a risk of mouth injury while playing sports, Invisalign treatment lacks the metal brackets and wires that can lead to painful wounds. Invisalign does not take the place of a mouth guard however, so you should be fit for a protective mouthguard for sports that have the potential for mouth injuries due to being hit in the face by a ball, puck, elbow, or even the ground.

Invisalign isn’t just for teens and adults either. Invisliagn First is aligner treatment for patients as young as 7.  Because a young child’s teeth move relatively easily, new aligners are introduced about every three days instead of every two weeks. This can help fix bite issues earlier on, saving time and money in the long run.

3. Treatment with Invisalign Takes Longer

In most cases, the duration of treatment with Invisalign is comparable to braces. Invisalign treatment can even be significantly faster if your issue is minor. Keep in mind that if the aligners are worn properly, patients with Invisalign will see the same results as those with braces in the same or possibly shorter amount of time.

With Invisalign treatment, fewer trips are needed to the orthodontist because virtual monitoring is easy to use to see if treatment is staying on track. Dental Monitoring allows your orthodontist to track every step of your orthodontic journey from the comfort of your own home by snapping a few selfies with your phone and submitting them through the Dental Monitoring app.

4. All Orthodontists Have the Same Expertise with Invisalign

Not true! There are levels of expertise with the Invisalign system. For example, Milnor Orthodontics is a Diamond Plus Provider because of the large number of cases we’ve treated with Invisalign. That’s why it’s important to do a little research in your area and find an orthodontist who is well-versed in Invisalign. Some orthodontists do not specialize in this form of treatment, and if this is the route you want to go, you’ll want to find one who knows Invisalign.

Going to an Invisalign expert can save you time and money. By going to an orthodontist that’s familiar with Invisalign, less chair time and appointments are required to get things right. At Milnor, we charge the same amount for Invisalign treatment as we do for braces treatment because of this time savings.

5. There’s No Maintenance After Invisalign

Many patients believe once Invisalign treatment is over, there’s no need for preventative maintenance. However, after treatment with Invisalign is complete, patients will need to wear a retainer, just like those who have had braces. This is because no matter which form of orthodontic treatment you use, your teeth have a very real chance of shifting back to where they started. This is especially true for those who had Invisalign Express, since the shorter duration of treatment doesn’t allow the teeth to really settle into their proper positions. Wearing a retainer after any form of orthodontic treatment is required to ensure your teeth remain straight for the rest of your life.

The most popular type of retainer to wear after Invisalign treatment is the Essix retainer. They look similar to an Invisalign aligner and are made with high-performance shaped plastic that completely covers the teeth and can last up to 24 months. After that time, they will likely need to be replaced because they are no longer as effective.

The Truth About Invisalign

There are a lot of myths floating around about Invisalign, but take it from the experts—Invisalign is a proven way to correct a wide variety of issues with the teeth. The key to success is to listen to your orthodontist’s instructions and follow the rules, so you get the most out of your treatment with Invisalign.