Invisalign? Braces? How Painful? Sooo Confused, What Is My Best Option?

In my late 40's with my two upper incisors that are slanted over my front teeth. and a bit of crowding on my lower jaw. My ortho has said that it will take 102 weeks- 3 weeks for each set of trays ( he doesn't think 2 weeks is sufficient for adult teeth). My back molar has had a crack in it and been filled about 4 years ago. I'm worried sick about the pain of this invisalign process for 102 weeks and the possibility of the molar cracking open with the movement. Would clear braces be better?

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Invisalign? Braces? How Painful? Sooo Confused, What Is the Best Option?

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you simply wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. You simply pop in a new set of... more

Invisalign vs Braces

I'm sure there is a reason why your dentist is recommending 3 weeks for Invisalign, however even for adults generally 2 weeks is sufficient. As far as discomfort, it is often the case that Invisalign is more comfortable given that only a certain amount of movement is prescribed by each aligner and the movements are very controlled. It is unlikely that your molar with a crack in it will be a problem, unless the crack is into the root, in which case it will fail regardless of... more

Invisalign vs Braces: Which is Less Painful?

You ask some very good questions. If your dentist is recommending three weeks of Invisalign wear per tray he could be using another product other than Invisalign. There are other clear aligners on the market and at least one of them recommends three weeks of aligner wear instead of the traditional two weeks recommended by Invisalign. Both aligner systems work well. I personally was treated with clear aligner therapy and the only discomfort I ever felt was the first day or two after... more

Second opinions are good

Every doctor has their own methods and preferences. 3 weeks per tray is not unheard of, but not what is taught by Invisalign. It is not wrong, but may not be necessary. Clear braces are certainly another option and may be more predictable with less time involved. Without seeing you, I wouldn't know. There will be tenderness with any form of tooth movement, there is no way around it. Most people report that it isn't very much and... more