What Are the Disadvantages of Invisalign?
Invisalign is one of those dental treatments in which patients have to weigh up the pros and cons, before they can commit to it.
If you are one of those people who is wondering whether or not you should go for Invisalign, then we hope you find this blog article useful.
We will outline the answer to the question: ‘what are the disadvantages of Invisalign?’ and hopefully, this will help you make up your mind.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign, or Invisible braces, is a revolutionary teeth straightening system, which is used by patients all over the globe. It consists of clear aligners which gradually correct the position of your misaligning teeth.
The clear aligners are made of a flexible plastic called SmartTrack, which is created specifically for this dental treatment.
Invisalign aligners are different to traditional, metal braces, which are very visible in the patient’s teeth, and cannot be removed by anyone other than the orthodontist.
Your orthodontist will custom-make your aligners by conducting a 3D scan of your mouth. Once this is done, the orthodontist will create a plan of how each tooth will be moved into the correct position, using the Invisalign, of course!
You can wear a full set of Invisalign, or a partial set of Invisalign, which only moves the front teeth.
The Invisalign is virtually invisible- lots of people don’t even notice when a patient is wearing Invisalign aligners. Your dentist or doctor will monitor your progress for the duration of your Invisalign journey, to ensure it is working correctly.
Invisalign is the most advanced clear aligner system in the world – it has helped improve over 14 million smiles, including 2 million teen smiles.
What are the disadvantages of Invisalign?
Invisalign is not going to be right for everyone. If you are not eligible for Invisalign, or you don’t like the sound of it, then your dentist or orthodontist will offer you a suitable alternative.
Here are a few disadvantages of Invisalign treatment:
- Invisalign is generally more expensive than getting normal braces.
- You may forget to put in and take out your Invisalign each time, which may put you behind on your teeth straightening progress.
- It requires effort to clean and maintain your Invisalign aligners and the trays that they are stored in. If you do not clean them properly, old food and bacteria could build up on them, which can stain and damage your aligners.
- If you do not clean your Invisalign well enough, this increases your risk of cavities and bad breath.
As you can see, the disadvantages of Invisalign treatment are really down to improper care of the aligners. That is why Invisalign is suitable for people who are responsible enough to maintain the daily habit of wearing the aligners and cleaning them regularly, as well as visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups.
Now you know what are the disadvantages of Invisalign, don’t let this put you off. It doesn’t mean that you should discredit Invisalign as a treatment option if you need to straighten or correct the position of your teeth.
We at Didsbury Dental Practice believe that Invisalign is worth the effort. Wearing Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours a day has proven to be very effective at straightening teeth and fixing bite problems.
The vast majority of patients report fantastic results after getting Invisalign treatment, with very little discomfort or embarrassment throughout their Invisalign journey.
Many patients appreciate the invisible appearance and removable element of Invisalign, as it allows them to go about their daily lives without feeling self-conscious about their smiles.
Invisalign is not a one-size-fits-all type of treatment. Every treatment plan is personalised for that patient’s mouth and needs, using 3D scans for careful planning and precision.
The Invisalign aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day for optimal results.
To learn more about what are the disadvantages of Invisalign, click here to read our blog articles on “What are Invisible Braces?” or “Is Invisalign better than braces?“.
What are the advantages of Invisalign?
- The Invisalign is virtually invisible and unnoticeable on your teeth- it does not come with any brackets or wires, or the restrictions that come with metal braces.
- The Invisalign can be removed during meal times and during sleep, whereas normal braces cannot be removed.
- Invisalign aligners are easier to clean than normal braces.
- Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than normal braces, as it applies less pressure to the teeth.
- Wearing Invisalign requires fewer trips to the dentist than normal braces do.
- If you wear normal braces, they can cause cuts inside your cheeks. With Invisalign, you won’t have this problem.
- Invisalign removal is quick, easy and painless- whereas removal of normal braces is time-consuming and can cause discomfort and pain.
Does Invisalign give you a lisp?
No, Invisalign should not cause any major speech impediments.
For the first day or two, you may develop a very slight lisp, as your mouth adjusts to the feeling of the aligners. But this should only be temporary- your tongue will quickly adapt and your speech will be back to normal!
Where can I get Invisalign treatment?
Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, our team of experienced dental specialists can support you through every step of your Invisalign journey.
The aligners are custom-made for your teeth from an impression that we will take at your initial consultation. Each set of aligners must then be worn for approximately two-to-three weeks. After each two-to-three-week period, we will give you the next set.
Each set of aligners builds on the work the previous set has done to gently bring your teeth into their new, straighter position.
Invisalign clear aligners are great for people who want to have straight teeth but can’t bear the thought of having traditional fixed metal braces.
Book a consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists here if you are interested in the treatment.
Visit our website here to find out more about Invisible Braces (Invisalign).
Can teenagers get Invisalign?
Absolutely. Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, we offer Invisalign treatment for teenagers.
Invisalign Teen aligners accommodate the continuing and natural eruption of young adult permanent teeth.
Book a consultation with one of our Invisalign Dentists if you are interested in getting Invisalign Teen.
Visit our website here to find out more about Invisible Braces (Invisalign).
Can children get Invisalign?
Children won’t qualify for Invisalign until their adult teeth have come in. This usually occurs at around 12 to 13 years old. Once the tooth growth is complete, then they may be eligible for Invisalign Teen.
Who is not eligible for Invisalign?
Your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on whether you qualify for Invisalign.
You may not be suitable for Invisalign if:
- You still have baby teeth present in your mouth
- You have false teeth or dentures
- You have severe gum inflammation or gum disease
- You have had certain teeth extracted
- You have had dental implants or a dental bridge
Is Invisalign painful?
Invisalign is not a painful orthodontic treatment.
Like all retainers, Invisalign may bring a slight discomfort, as your teeth adjust to the new pressure being applied. But this shows that the treatment is working.
After first wearing Invisalign, any mild pain that you may feel should only be temporary, for the first few days.
Consult your dentist or orthodontist if you experience severe pain or discomfort after a week of wearing Invisalign.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Typically, in the UK, Invisalign costs anywhere between £1,500 to £5,500. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist to find out exactly how much your Invisalign will cost and what treatment plans there are.
Do you keep your Invisalign in when eating or drinking?
No, you should remove your Invisalign aligners when you eat and drink.
Do you keep your Invisalign in when you brush your teeth or floss?
You should remove your Invisalign aligners when you brush your teeth and floss.
How do you clean your Invisalign?
It is important to keep your Invisalign aligners fresh and clean, to eliminate any foul odours, food particles, dried saliva, plaque or harmful bacteria.
To keep your Invisalign clean, you should:
- Rinse your Invisalign aligners and your Invisalign tray every time you remove the aligners from your mouth.
- Soak your Invisalign at least once a day in a glass of denture cleaning solution, or Invisalign cleaning crystals.
- Clean the aligners every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and antibacterial, unscented soap.
- Don’t disinfect your Invisalign with boiling hot water- rather, use warm water instead.
- Avoid cleaning your Invisalign with toothpaste or scented soaps, which will leave behind residue and an unpleasant taste.
- When you take your Invisalign out of your mouth, don’t leave them out on a surface where there could be bacteria and dust. Store your Invisalign in an airtight case and keep them clean.
- Avoid smoking while wearing Invisalign- this will stain your aligners and trap nicotine in your teeth.
You should now have the answer to the question ‘what are the disadvantages of Invisalign?’
To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.
Click here to learn about our Invisalign treatment for adults and teenagers.
We offer a variety of dental services, including teeth whitening, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.
If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.
Visit our blog to read more articles on dental health.
