The Pros and Cons of Invisalign

Having crooked or crowded teeth can be an embarrassing issue for many people. And for those wanting a way out, braces are the most apparent option. However, as you may already know, braces can also be embarrassing due to their appearance. Fortunately, Invisalign, an innovative solution in the dental industry, has become an option for people with orthodontic issues.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign works like braces, except that you won’t have to deal with metal brackets, rubber bands, and frequent dental clinic visits. It is a set of clear and rigid plastic aligners custom-made for your teeth. Similar to braces, this needs to be checked, adjusted, and replaced throughout the treatment to align your teeth into the proper position.

Due to it being clear and nearly invisible, Invisalign has become the preferred choice for adults and teens needing tooth alignment. Although Invisalign is indeed a promising option, it’s important to note that it comes with both pros and cons. Knowing all details about this promising option will help you decide whether Invisalign is a realistic solution for you.

To make things easier for you, we’ve listed the pros and cons of Invisalign treatment below. Check them out before you get your Invisalign aligners fitted.

Pros of Invisalign

Nearly invisible.

A mouth full of metal brackets isn’t something most people want. If you’re among those, then Invisalign is a great alternative. Since you won’t have to wear metal brackets, you can fix your uneven teeth without many people knowing. You may not even know this, but many well-known people have undergone Invisalign treatment like Justin Bieber, Khloe Kardashian, Duchess Kate Middleton, and many more. So you see, Invisalign can go unnoticed.

More comfortable.

Invisalign is more comfortable compared to wearing braces. You won’t have to bear with sore teeth, and since it’s free of wires or brackets and is smooth, thus, won’t have to worry about painful cuts in your mouth. These aligners are very similar to a mouthguard and don’t have any sharp edges that can irritate your mouth.

Removable.

Unlike braces, Invisalign can be removed for eating, brushing your teeth, and flossing, making it more hygienic. With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about food particles trapped in your teeth. You also need not worry about not eating the foods you want, which is a usual issue with traditional braces. Moreover, brushing and flossing are also easier for Invisalign patients, which allows them to practice better oral hygiene.

Invisalign requires less frequent check-ups and repairs.

People with braces need to visit their orthodontist at least once a month throughout the treatment for continual maintenance. Dental visits for brace adjustments usually take about 20–40 minutes, and you would have to do these for the next two or three years, depending on the severity of the orthodontic issue.

On the other hand, an Invisalign appointment takes only about 10 minutes, and Invisalign patients only need to visit their orthodontist once every 10–12 weeks.

Cons of Invisalign

Although Invisalign is an excellent option for fixing uneven teeth, it has its fair share of drawbacks, which is worth knowing before committing to getting the treatment. Those drawbacks are listed below:

It’s expensive.

Price is one of the biggest cons of Invisalign, which ranges from $3,500 to $8,000. Moreover, it’s not covered by dental insurance, which means you will have to pay every single cent of your treatment.

Invisalign requires strict discipline.

To ensure the success of this treatment, patients need to wear this for at least 22 hours a day, every day. This means that you are only to remove it when eating and cleaning your teeth. But because it’s removable, it’s very easy to forget putting it back after removing it. Some patients even lose their aligners altogether.

If you don’t wear your Invisalign aligners as instructed, then you can’t expect to get the treatment it promises. Sore teeth and discomfort are also common for patients who fail to wear their aligners the way they should.

If you believe you can stick with the process until the end of the treatment, then Invisalign can work great for you.

It can be inconvenient.

Invisalign aligners need to be removed for eating, drinking (except water), and teeth brushing, which some patients find cumbersome. If you fail to do so, your aligners will trap food particles resulting in discoloration and, worse, cavities or gum diseases.

Moreover, you need to clean your teeth before putting your aligners back every single time. So if you love frequent snacks, then wearing an Invisalign aligner may mean more work for you.

So that’s it. If you think Invisalign’s pros outweigh its cons, then this treatment may well work for you. In the end, it all comes down to your commitment to getting your orthodontic issue fixed. Good luck!