Are Invisalign® Reviews Positive?
We are so fortunate to live in a time when we have a multitude of choices regarding our health care, and that includes or oral health as well. There was a time, not too long ago, when dental patients who wanted to enjoy all the benefits of a straighter smile had only one treatment method available to them: traditional metal braces. But thanks to recent advancements in dental and orthodontic technology, all that has changed. Now, depending on the severity of their dental issues, patients can choose from a variety of tooth-straightening options. One of the most popular is Invisalign®. In this article, we provide some important information about how this treatment works and answer the question, “Are Invisalign® reviews positive?”
What You Need to Know about Invsialign®
Developed by researchers a few short years ago, this remarkable tooth-straightening method involves the patient wearing custom-made, clear plastic aligner trays for at least 22 hours each day for a period of several months. Gradually, over the course of that time, the person’s teeth are moved into straighter positions. While the end result is very much the same as that produced by wearing conventional metal braces, the method is very different. It begins when the dentist or orthodontist takes 3D photos of the patient’s mouth. Those digital images are then sent to an outside lab, where several sets of custom plastic aligner trays are made for the patient. After being fitted with the first set of aligner trays, the patient is provided with a new set every two to three weeks.
What People Are Saying about Invisalign®
The reviews offered by the majority of Invisalign® patients are quite positive. What follows are some of the advantages of Invisalign®, according to dental patients:
- Invisalign® is virtually invisible. One of the most common complaints about metal braces is how obvious they are to other people. But the clear plastic aligner trays worn by Invisalign® patients are nearly impossible for other people to see. For the vast majority of patients, this is the greatest advantage that comes with the Invisalign® treatment method.
- Invisalign® aligners are easy to remove. Unlike traditional metal braces that can only be removed by the dentist or orthodontist, the Invisalign® wearer can remove their own trays anytime they need to. This means patients can enjoy whatever foods they’d like, and it’s much easier to brush and floss their teeth as they normally would. With traditional braces, on the other hand, the patient has to restrict the types of foods they eat, and practicing a normal oral hygiene routine each day can be especially challenging.
- Invisalign® is more comfortable than metal braces. Another advantage that comes with the clear plastic aligners is that they have no sharp edges. The metal brackets and ligatures that are included with metal braces can injure the soft tissues inside the person’s mouth, including the tongue, cheeks, and gum tissue. That, in addition to the discomfort that comes when the dentist or orthodontist tightens the appliance every few weeks, makes metal braces relatively uncomfortable for the patient.
- Invisalign® requires fewer trips to the dentist or orthodontist than conventional braces. People wearing metal braces need to visit their oral health care provider on a regular basis to have their appliance tightened. Not only are these trips more inconvenient for the patient; the tightening process leaves their mouths a bit sore for a few days afterward. But people wearing Invisalign® aligners only need to visit the dentist or orthodontist on occasion to make sure that they’re progressing as planned. When it comes time to switch out to a new set of aligner trays, the patients can do that on their own.
- Invisalign® doesn’t take as long as metal braces. For most patients, the total treatment time is shorter – typically taking between 9 and 18 months rather than the usual 12 to 36 months required for traditional braces.
While it’s true that most people offer rave reviews of Invisalign®, there are some who have expressed concerns. What follows are some of the less-than-positive reviews of the product:
- Invisalign® only resolves certain dental issues. If you have a mild to moderate case of protruding teeth, misaligned teeth, wide gaps in between teeth, a crossbite, an overbite, or an underbite, then clear plastic aligners might work well for you. But patients with severe cases may need to wear traditional braces in order to resolve their issues.
- Invisalign® is more expensive than metal braces. Not only do traditional braces cost less than treatments like Invisalign®; they are also more likely to be at least partially paid for by most insurance policies.
- Invisalign® doesn’t work unless you actually wear the appliance for the minimum of 22 hours each day. For motivated adults, having the discipline to wear the device for the required period of time each day is probably not an issue. But this may be challenging for younger patients. That’s why the makers offer another form of the product called Invisalign® Teen, which includes an indicator to show how long the appliance is worn by the patient each day so that parents can make certain their kids are actually wearing their aligner trays.
- Invisalign® can be inconvenient in some situations. Being able to remove the trays to eat meals is an advantage because it allows the patient to eat any type of foods. But it can be inconvenient to remove the trays if you’re eating out at a restaurant or some type of gathering. And patients need to have the ability to brush their teeth after they eat and before they put the aligners back in so they can avoid getting food trapped under the aligner trays.
So, are Invisalign® reviews positive? The answer to that question is yes! While some people do express some concerns about the product, generally speaking, people are extremely pleased with this amazing tooth-straightening method. To find out more about Invisalign® plastic aligners trays, and to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this treatment, contact your dentist or orthodontist today and schedule an appointment.
