If you had a choice, would you wear braces on your teeth or clear aligners?
If your answer is clear aligners, you’re not alone. Clear aligners have grown in popularity over the past couple of decades as an option for straightening or realigning your teeth.
Perhaps the oldest and best known clear aligner product is Invisalign, which was introduced to the market in 1998 by Align Technology. Since then, more clear aligners from other brands have come into the market, such as Flash, ClearCorrect.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what Invisalign can do, how effective it is, and the pros and cons of this product.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the brand name of a type of thin clear aligner used in orthodontic treatment. The aligner is made from a flexible thermoplastic material named SmartTrack.
As the name suggests, this product is designed to make orthodontic treatment “less conspicuous,” as the American Association of Orthodontists puts it.
Although Invisalign aligners may not be completely invisible, these clear coverings fit tightly over your teeth and are much less noticeable than the brackets and wires of traditional braces.
What types of dental issues can Invisalign correct?
Invisalign can be used for a variety of purposes, including crowding and spacing issues, as well as some mild and moderate bite issues.
The Invisalign website claims that it can be used to treat the following dental issues:
What’s involved with wearing them?
The first step in the process involves a visit to the best orthodontist at White Align Dental Care, who will create a 3-D image of your mouth and jaw. They’ll use this image to put together a plan for moving your teeth into their proper place.
Your best orthodontist at White Align Dental Care will then use that plan to create a series of customized plastic aligners. These aligners will apply pressure to your teeth, gradually shifting them and moving them into the desired places.
Depending on your orthodontist’s instructions, you’ll switch out one set of aligners for a new set about once every week or two. Typically, you’ll need to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day.
How effective are these aligners?
You may have friends who’ve had a good experience with Invisalign, but it’s important to go beyond the anecdotal evidence. At the moment, however, there’s not a lot of research that points to its effectiveness.
However, based on some available researchTrusted Source, Invisalign does seem to be more effective than other types of clear aligners. And the newer versions that the manufacturer began producing in 2010 seem to have enhanced the effectiveness of Invisalign by improving the delivery of force upon the wearer’s teeth.
What can affect how well Invisalign works?
For Invisalign to work effectively, it’s important to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day.
The only time you’re supposed to remove the aligners is when you’re:
- eating or drinking
- brushing or flossing your teeth
- cleaning your aligners
You need to be careful when cleaning your aligners. If you use very hot water, it could warp the plastic. This can alter the fit, and affect your progress and the effectiveness of the aligners.
The complexity of your orthodontic issues may also affect how well Invisalign works for you. It may take longer for this treatment to work if you’re dealing with more complex spacing or bite issues.
What are the pros and cons?
To help you determine whether Invisalign is the right choice for you, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this treatment option.
Pros of Invisalign
- The aesthetic factor. This is a very commonly cited reason for choosing Invisalign. These clear aligners are much less noticeable than the wires and brackets of braces.
- You can remove them. You can physically remove the aligner from your mouth if you need to.
- Ease of cleaning your teeth. By removing the aligner, you can easily brush and floss your teeth, without having to work around wires and brackets. A 2017 studyTrusted Source also suggests this can improve your periodontal health by reducing the amount of bacteria lurking around your teeth and gums.
- Fewer potential problems. Many people with traditional braces have stories about a bracket that fell off or a wire that broke, leading to an emergency visit to the orthodontist. You won’t have that potential problem with clear aligners.
- Less painful
- No food restrictions
Cons of Invisalign
- Requires compliance. To get the maximum benefit from Invisalign, you must wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. If you think you’ll be tempted to slip them out more often, it may not be the best choice for you.
Is Invisalign right for you?
If you’re considering Invisalign aligners, ask yourself these questions to help you determine whether this is the best choice for you:
- Do I have a fairly straightforward crowding or bite issue with my teeth?
- Do I feel self-conscious about wearing braces?
- Will I wear the aligners for the appropriate number of hours every day?
- Can I afford them?
- Will I take care of them correctly?
If you have a teenager at home who would rather opt for Invisalign than regular braces, assess whether they’ll wear them and care for them appropriately.
The bottom line
Invisalign can be used for a variety of purposes, including crowding and spacing issues, as well as some mild and moderate bite issues.
It may be a good option for you if you don’t have a complicated bite or crowding issue and you’d prefer a less visible treatment than braces.
Talk with your best orthodontist at White Align Dental Care about your teeth, what type of orthodontic treatment you may need, and whether Invisalign is a good option for you. Then, consider all the pros and cons before making your decision.
Invisalign cost
A number of factors contribute to the amount you might pay for orthodontic work like Invisalign. Factors include:
- your oral health needs and how much work must be done
- your location and the average prices in your city
Again, all of these prices depend on your individual case. Very crooked teeth or a mouth with an overbite will require more time to slowly move the teeth into an ideal position, whether you use Invisalign or traditional braces.
Invisalign pros and cons
| Invisalign pros | Invisalign cons |
| It’s nearly invisible, so it’s not obvious when you smile | May be more expensive |
| Easy to remove when eating or cleaning your teeth | Can be lost or broken, resulting in more money and time spent on treatment |
| Usually doesn’t take any longer to complete treatment than normal braces, and may even be faster | |
| Requires fewer visits to the dentist’s office | |
| Moves teeth more gradually than traditional braces, which may lead to less discomfort |
Things to ask before deciding on braces or aligners
- Will the company pay for additional aligners if you are not satisfied with your results?
- Will the company pay for your retainer after treatment?
- Will one option work better than another in your case?
Aftercare costs
As with any orthodontics, you can expect to use a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position after Invisalign works to move them. Retainers can be either removable or cemented to your teeth. Usually you have to wear a retainer every day for a while and before you’re allowed to only wear them at night.
Adults who get braces and wear their retainer properly shouldn’t need to repeat braces again. Your mouth is done growing and your body won’t be changing as much as a child or teenager’s body.
Getting the most out of your aligners
Make the most of your investment by wearing your aligners for the prescribed amount of time. Maintain good oral health and keep your teeth clean throughout your treatment process. Wear your retainer as instructed to help your teeth remain in their new positions.
Braces and aligners comparison table
| Invisalign | Traditional braces | ClearCorrect | |
| Treatment Time | Worn for 20–22 hours/day. Overall treatment time varies by case. | Cemented onto teeth 24/7. Overall treatment time varies by case. | At least 22 hours/day. Overall treatment time varies by case. |
| Maintenance | Receive and wear new aligners every couple of weeks. Keep them clean by brushing them and rinsing with water. | Brush teeth while wearing braces and floss or clean between with a tiny interdental brush. | Receive and wear new aligners every couple of weeks. Keep them clean by brushing them and rinsing with water. |
| Clinic visits | Includes an initial consultation, possible check-ups during treatment, and a final consultation. | Includes an initial consultation, regular dentist visits to get braces tightened, and a final removal of braces. | Includes an initial consultation, possible check-ups during treatment, and a final consultation. |
| Aftercare | Requires a retainer to maintain results. | Requires a retainer to maintain results. | Requires a retainer to maintain results. |
| Ideal for | Ideal for professionals or anyone who wants to keep their orthodontics discreet. | Good for more complex dental issues. You don’t have to worry about taking them in and out or losing them. | Ideal for professionals or anyone who wants to keep their orthodontics discreet. |
To book an appointment with us at, ‘White Align Dental Care’– call us on 070284 83531. We pride ourselves to have the best cosmetic dentist in South Delhi. You can also mail us on whitealign.dentalcare@gmail.com.