Does Invisalign Work?

Many Invisalign providers and the public often comment on the limitations of Invisalign treatment to basic treatment. They believe that aligners are only good for correcting minor problems, while braces are better and required for more difficult treatments. A few providers will tell you that they have corrected severe crowding, severe spacing, severe rotations, class 2 malocclusions, class 3 malocclusions, open bites, cases requiring extraction, and even used Invisalign in conjunction with jaw surgery. So, why the discrepancy?

The answer is that the scope of what experienced providers can do with Invisalign is greater than that of those that are less experienced. They may use attachments, IPR, buttons, elastics, and movements, in conjunction with sections of partial braces to achieve the desired results. Unfortunately, this group of experienced doctors providing excellent Invisalign treatment is a small percentage of those out there that are certified to provide it.

Aside from the doctor aspect, Invisalign treatment requires a compliant patient. It requires someone who will wear the aligners as directed, and practice proper oral hygiene. If you don’t feel that your lifestyle can allow you to comply with treatment, don’t go for this removable treatment that is compliance based. One common concern is the need to take aligners out for eating, and then brushing/flossing, before replacing them. Often overlooked is that patients are supposed to brush after each meal with braces, and may be required to use elastics as well. The ability to take aligners out for eating and cleaning actually simplifies these activities, making it an excellent choice for patients who may be unable to clean properly around fixed braces.

It definitely works and has seen dramatic improvements in the last few years. At first the company was just trying to make it, now it has become a force in the field.

The process for Invisalign goes as follows in my office:

Complete orthodontic exam including necessary x-rays and photographs.

Scan for digital images sent to Invisalign.

A tech makes a movie as to how the teeth are going to move and the order.

The doctor reviews the movie and makes changes. This is where the rubber meets the road. If the doctor simply hits the accept button, your treatment is decided by a tech with no orthodontic training other than the training to make that movie. They are not doctors and they are certainly not orthodontists. If the accept button is hit, that is who determined your treatment. I can honestly say that it is almost never acceptable to me without my modification. this is why you chose a doctor- is the doctor an orthodontist or general dentist? does the doctor really do Invisalign or just says they do and guide to braces? Are they a general dentist who went to a weekend course?

As to fees: My fee can be as high as $6800. I include case refinements( rebooting your case and going thru all the previous steps and providing additional aligners as necessary), all x-rays and 2 sets of retainers. 2 years of follow up. Detailing of the bite.

Your choice if you think it is worth it. Cheers Dr H

Invisalign works very well and good outcomes are very predictable when the patient is compliant with wearing their Invisalign trays.  It is most effective when the patient's bite fits correctly in the back and there is mild to moderate crowding or spacing of teeth in the front of the mouth.  Having said that, Invisalign can also work on some more advanced cases of crowding or bite correction.  An orthodontist can help you decide if Invisalign is right for you.

INVISLIGN WORKS WELL IN SELECTED CASES.  IN SIMPLE TO MODERATE CASES IT CAN WORK WELL AND HAS ADVANTAGES OVER BRACES IN THAT YOU CAN CLEAN YOUR TEETH BETTER.  IN CASES OF MODERATE-SEVER CROWDING, MAL-ALIGNMENT OR WHERE SURGERY MAY BE INVOLVED IT IS PROBABLY BETTER TO STICK TO CONVENTIONAL BRACES.  THE SYSTEM KEEPS IMPROVING.  IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CASE AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE TREATING DOCTOR TO HELP DETERMINE THIS

If you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, it is the best way to go. They are comfortable, really easy to apply, and no one would know you are wearing them.

I have gone to many conferences for Invisalign and have given it to numerous patients. It is one of my most popular practices.

Patient compliance is always important when doing any orthodontic treatment. Invisalign is a great choice of treatment for someone that requires minor tooth movement. For the more complicated cases, traditional braces are always best.

Ofcourse! Invisalign is a very predictable method to move teeth. The best part about it is that you can see exactly how your teeth move before you start your treatment and you have a video to correlate to throughout the treatment. 

In the rare scenario that you still feel there's still a little work left at the end of treatment, your orthodontist can extend the treatment and order refinement aligners. My patients love Invisalign because there is no other treatment option that is so predictable. 

Hope this helps. 

Warm Regards 

Hello;

Yes invisalign does work really well.  However, you have to make sure that your dentist is qualified to do invisalign.  Invisalign is very easy to wear .  You must understand that you have to wear the aligners 22 hours a day and take them out only when you are eating.  Also, every time you eat or drink, you must brush your teeth. Therefore, patient compliance is very important.  When you are done with the treatment, you need to wear a retainer every night or the teeth will shift back to thier original position.  If you keep all of these in consideration, and feel that it fits your lifestyle, then you are a candidate for Invisalign.  Good luck.