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Invisalign Fraud

13 posts
Comments (34)
Updated 22 Jun 2009
Posted 22 Jun 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $5,000 in NYC, NY

Forget the cost...I was never informed of the dangers or risks involved. No consent form was ever given to me to read and sign. Pre-existing conditions which were not disclosed to me by the dentist worsened and I am losing teeth as a result.

Procede with caution. If you are 50 years old or more DO NOT DO IT.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Name not provided

He is not knowledgeable and is not an orthodontist.
Vote: 2 members found this review helpful

Comments (34)

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Rosieee (35 posts) 23 Jun 2009
It would be helpful if you gave reasons as to why someone over 50 shouldn't go ahead with the treatment. You could have done more on your part by researching and asking detailed questions to your dentist about what to expect and the effects of being treated at your age etc. Not a helpful review at all sorry.
merrydee (1 post) 27 Jun 2009
I'm slightly over 50 and have had invisaligns for six months now(have another year to go before finished). I have attachments-8 on top and 5 on bottom. I am use to wearing invisalign now and have had no problems at all. I have already seen big, big improvements. Highly recommended:))) I'd be happy to answer any questions, if I can.
Trini_devine75 (1 post) 1 Jul 2009
Waste of time and money. My doctor original told me that I only need about 9mth in invisalign which turned into over 2yrs. I'm on my third refinement and now the doctor is asking for more money because the trays aren't fitting as they projected. The one prior fit fine, even wore it longer than I was supposed to in hopes that I won't have to do another refinement. No such luck!!! I refuse to put more money into this since its not my fault the trays did not fit. Whats worst is that after 2yrs my crowding still has not budged.
5278anon (1 post) 3 Aug 2010
I started Invisalign in order to straighten teeth to install a bridge. On the third day of the first tray, a capped tooth broke in half from the pressure of removing the tray. My dentist (not the orthodonist) repaired the tooth and re-cemented the crown. Lower tray 26 will not go into place. It will either fit the left or the right side, but not both at the same time. It occurred to me while I was trying to place the lower tray that my two top teeth now look like bunny teeth. I suspect the intent is to file them. I have 4 trays to go. I am worried about the results and appearance and have doubt that the treatment will enable me to have a properly installed bridge as intended...$6800 later. Additionally, it is difficult to chew. Invisalign does not allow your teeth to "wear" into place gradually.
glumglenn (13 posts) 25 Jun 2009
Movement od teeth ay any age can resdult in extrusion, resorption or ankylosing and should first be discussed with patient prior to Invisalign or braces. At an older age 50+ for example, the teeth have been undisturbed for so long that any movement can cause a disruption and these three problems can occur. An orthodontist knows this and can avoid these from happening by taking radiographs to ensure these problems aren't happening....A "Good" general dentist may not knoe this and by the time he realizes what has occurred, it's sometimes too late or he doesn't know what to do and you have to go to a specialist to corrrect the damage.
Alessandra2 (unregistered guest) 29 Jun 2009
Dear Glumglenn, I don't know why people here insist that you should have done more to learn about the potential for problems with using Invisalign. I suggest that you consult a medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your situation. You have been harmed in a way that is not something that you should have or anyone would expect as a result of that treatment and care. It doesn't matter your age and it doesn't matter that you didn't read more. If he didn't explain it to you, then you need to complain to a lawyer who can help. There is no out of pocket expenses for these types of lawyers. I would sincerely hope that you can make him aware of the severity of subsequent problems, all of which are his responsibility, before someone else gets hurt. Doctors, dentist, orthodontists- they all have that responsibility. He should be responsible for getting your teeth fixed. Good luck.
happy Dentist (unregistered guest) 4 Jul 2009
Obiously, you are pro-orthodontist. Your dentist if certified in invisalign can give you better care than an orthodontist, because he is seeing you for more time than the orthodontist. Orthodontists make money putting braces on people without the high invisglign lab bill. There is a place for invisalign so you are able to clean your teeth better. It sounds like you have bone issues to begin with. Your dentist is the only one to put our smile back so I wouldn't be so mad she did what she could.
starting over (18 posts) 5 Jul 2009
Speaking from experience, the reality is that orthodontists have expertise in moving teeth. A few courses in Invisalign and reliance on the Invisalign lab cannot prepare general dentists to properly diagnose and predict all types of tooth movement. I started Invisalign last year for an overjet of the front teeth. I asked detailed questions and the dentist (Premier Provider) insisted the movements would be minor and simple. After 8 months of treatment, my overjet was not fixed AND my bite was ruined as I could no longer close my top and bottom teeth. The dentist himself was shocked at how it turned out and he simply had no idea how to fix it. I had no choice but to start over with an orthodontist (who was able to explain some of the treatment errors and what was required to correct). I can't imagine why general dentitsts are allowed to offer this product in the first place. It places many unsuspecting individuals at risk of malpractice.
glumglenn (13 posts) 9 Nov 2009
I am in litigation againmst a General dentist as we speak...let me know if you want the name of my attorney...perhaps a class action law suit against Align Technology is what we need!
starting over (18 posts) 10 Nov 2009
Glumglenn, I also consulted a lawyer who advised small claims court because the amount of my damages would be relatively small. I also suppose that any type of class action would require a tremendous amount of resources.
glumglenn (13 posts) 12 Nov 2009
Small claims is ok but you may have to retain an expert witness (i.e. orthodontist, other dentist) to support your case. Expert testimony is not cheap....may cost $3,000 to $5000 for their testimony. Keep digging like I did to find an attorney to advise you. Sometime you can get advise for free. I have an attorney who is also an orthodontist! His name is Joel M. Kotick in NYC. Try contacting him and he can advise you further. You can tell him Linda sent you!
starting over (18 posts) 12 Nov 2009
Thanks for passing on the information. If I lived in NYC I would have definitely contacted him first thing in the morning! (I live in Toronto, Canada). Good luck with your litigation, I will definitely keep researching my options.
Sherell (3 posts) 12 Oct 2010
I agree. I am going to an orthodontist for my Invisalign treatment. A Premier Elite provider. I am also over 50 and I have 11 trays for the bottom and 22 for the top. So far so good, no problems. I am on trays 5.
glumglenn (13 posts) 6 Jul 2009
Dear starting over, Good luck. I wish I had never listend to my dentist. He just wanted the money and did not care about me. We are in the same boat I am afraid!
starting over (18 posts) 9 Jul 2009
Thanks Glumglenn, After my terrible experience, I went through the Invasalign website and found an Elite Premier Provider orthodontist. The doctor is extremely knowledgeable and I have been treated with a tremendous amount of respect. I am on aligner 5 of 21 and the open bite seems to be starting to close. I have a good feeling that this doctor will be able to solve my problem. Of course I'm upset that one year of life was completely ruined by the previous experience-putting up with all the inconvenience of Invisalign only to end up with a worse problem! I'm desperately hoping to return to my normal bite at the end of treatment. Best of luck with any subsequent treatments you pursue to address your problems.
disgruntled (unregistered guest) 10 Jul 2009
Dear Glumglenn I can empathize with you as I also have had the same experience as yourself. I would advise everyone to get a reputable orthodontists not a stupid dentist who has done a wee course in Invisalign. My treatment is also finished and besides loosing filling from fitting and removing the aligners - my teeth are a mess.
Christine NYC (1 post) 21 Aug 2009
Personally I don't age had anything to do with your problem; your problem is with your choice of Invisalign Provider. I am in NYC and I am going to one of the top 10 Invisalign Providers in the World. At my free consultation, I had a full panoramic xray taken. The doctor sat down with me and went over the xray. While going over the xray, she discovered that I have a tooth with a shortened root (result of pressure from other teeth and family history of gum disease are the culprit). Not ONLY did she alter her schedule for re-aligning my teeth (she said we had to re-position this tooth slowly and carefully to avoid root failure and tooth loss), and ALSO contacted my general dentist, fowarded him a copy of my xray and discussed the problem so that he could also keep an eye on me. I am in my 30s and have relatively healthy teeth. Your potential problem could happen to anyone. To the over 50 crowd, I would say that you are MORE LIKELY to experience gum and tooth issues like mine as a result of "abuse over time", but that should not prevent you from exploring Invisalign. If you're in the NYC area, I'd be happy to recommend my AMAZING Invisalign Provider!
Shahana07 (1 post) 1 May 2011
Please let me know where you got your treatment from. I live in new York. you can email me shahana07@gmail.com
glumglenn (13 posts) 25 Aug 2009

Invisalign should never been permitted to be performed by anyone other that orthodontists! General dentists take a course and think they know it all and do not. Invisalign should be sued. This is not something to take lightly as most general dentists do. Shame on them. Let's start a class action suit against Invisalign. Contact me to get going.

zsuzsi (4 posts) 10 Oct 2011
let's get going on a class action law suit
glumglenn (13 posts) 11 Oct 2011
Be my guest...I will be glad to assist in any way I can. On tv lately, all you see are Invisalign ads...just wait and see now how many more people will be hurt and come forward.
jojo85 (1 post) 5 Nov 2009
Over 3 yrs now since I started Invisalign treatment for one crooked bottom tooth which if not corrected,I feared I might lose.Ha----what a joke----I now have all crooked teeth - top and bottom, complete with spaces. I am so overwhelmed,I honestly don't know where to start.I am seriously looking for a good lawyer.
glumglenn (13 posts) 16 Nov 2009
Look up Joel Kotick in NYC...He's an attorney as well as an Orthodontist.
blackmarlin (2 posts) 28 Jul 2010
Consulted with orthodontist in '07, who successfully treated me 30 years prior with standard bracing. The goal was to straighten lower frontals. Was convinced to go with Invisalign, with good prognosis and anticipated 10 month treatment, even though I am Class 3. After more than 2 years, upper and lower frontals were very loose and I was in danger of losing them. Changed orthodontist, and immediately put into bands. Now three years into treatment, it is possibly too late. I am now scheduled for one or possibly two implants, gum grafting and bone replacement. It's been a nightmare. I am now considering a malpractice attorney to cover high costs of specialty intervention. As a Class 3, I should have never been recommended Invisalign. Does anyone have recommendation for good malpractice attorney in Southern California? Particularly one with Invisalign related experience.
glumglenn (13 posts) 28 Jul 2010

I do not know of any mal practice attorneys in California. I have been trying to get a class action suit going against Invisalign and need more people to convince an attorney. Perhaps you can email Cheryl Moin in NY...the firm is Moin....? I found her online and she is aware of my plight. Maybe she can refer you to an associate in California. Maybe we can convince her to start-up the class action suit.


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