Invisalign Review: Laying it all out.
Why do you have to pay a sky-high price for your smile to be beautiful? And even if you have to, is it worth it? When it comes to teeth straightening, it is invisible aligners and when it comes to Invisible aligners, it is Invisalign.
Invisalign is one of the most blooming brands offering you Teeth straightening treatments with the clearest aligners you can ever ask for. It was established in 1997 and has been striving since then. It is the most popular choice for people who want to get their Invisible aligners. This is because they have 450 patents and 3D printing technology with which they have treated over 6 million people. Their custom-made plans and comfortable aligners are praised worldwide. They are able to treat innumerable cases of crooked teeth, teeth gaps, overbite, underbite, crossbite with the help of their advanced technology and innovative designs. Their services are suitable for adults, teenagers and even those who have a combination of both milk teeth and permanent teeth.
It is very easy to get your Invisible aligners treatment at Invisalign. Here’s how it works:
The Entire Process
First of all, you have to visit their website and perform an online assessment wherein you get to know whether Invisalign is the right choice for you. If you clear this assessment, you get to choose a local dentist or orthodontist in your area who will conduct your treatment further. You will have to then schedule an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist. This is a consultation appointment which is absolutely free. Here, they will discuss all the options available for you and plan your next appointment.
The next appointment is all about preparing your aligners.The dentist reviews the 3D printing images and all of your dental background before getting started with the treatment. Some digital scans and x-rays of your teeth are taken to strategize your custom-made aligner package. All the documents and required information is collected.
In the next appointment, the orthodontist shows you the preview of your teeth at every stage of your treatment. You are even given the choice of at-home treatment but you can continue coming to the regional office if that is what you wish. Later, the payment options are discussed where you can choose your insurance policies.
Finally, you can pick your invisible aligners and wear them once you receive instructions from your dentist or orthodontist. They will provide you a new set of aligners every two weeks. After every six weeks, there are checkups wherein the orthodontist checks whether the treatment is working successfully for you. If the treatment isn’t working the way it should have, the dentist changes the plan ( don’t worry, no extra charges if the dentist agrees that you have worn them with discipline).
After your entire treatment is completed, there is a final check-up to see whether you are good to go and retainers are provided to you.
There is also a treatment available for young children who have a combination of both baby teeth and permanent teeth. It is called the ‘Invisalign First Treatment Programme’. Young children can get rid of crowding and teeth gaps to prevent future orthodontic problems with this treatment.
Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign Aligners are custom-made for each patient. These aligners are made up of SmartTrack material which makes them comfortable to wear. It also makes it easier to put on and take off the aligners without much pain. Invisalign Aligners are made up of the most advanced technology and therefore are the clearest.
There are different aligners available for different cases. Full aligners are for people having all kinds of dental issues or severe cases. Lite aligners are for moderate cases and slightly overlapping teeth. Express aligners are special aligners which do their job in a relatively short time. Though, these are only for general issues.
There is a different type of aligners for teens. These aligners show a blue dot if the child has not been wearing the aligners with discipline. This helps the parent as well as the orthodontist to decipher whether there’s a problem with the aligners or poor oral routine.
For some extremely severe cases, there are attachments called ‘SmartForce Attachments’ which are nothing but tooth-coloured and tooth-shaped attachments. These are bonded on the teeth before or during the treatment to apply extra pressure on the teeth. They can be easily polished off after the treatment. They also have aligners with Mandibular Advancement technology which have the ability to bring your lower jaw forward. This helps in overcoming cases of overbites.
Price
- The price of Invisalign’s aligners is a little more expensive than other brands. The Full aligners cost anywhere between $3500-$9500. The Teen aligners range from $2000-$5000 and the Express aligners have the lowest price, around $1800-$3000. The retainers are between $275-$1000. The cost of aligners and retainers depend on the severity of the treatment.
- Although you can always opt for any health or dental insurance, most of them do not cover more than $2000. Flexible Savings Accounts(FSA) and Health Savings Accounts(HSA) cover costs upto your current balance based on the type of account you hold. Insurance companies like Blue Cross (for below age 18) and Cigna cover certain costs but they have lifetime limits.
- Generally there are no additional expenses as Invisalign covers them with the aligners’ costs but again, it depends on the severity of the cases.
Duration
It usually takes 12-18 months depending on your treatment.
At-home treatment:-
Invisalign also gives an option of at-home treatment. But if you’re imagining a courier mail dropped at your doorstep, you’re wrong. You have to go and pick them up from the nearby office and some orthodontists don’t even give you the entire set at once. They might ask you to come and fix them every two weeks.
But, it is not really that bad because you’re getting yourself checked on every step of the treatment which prevents any dental problems from becoming worse.
Overall Experience
The advanced technology and innovative products of Invisalign provide the ultimate accuracy and precision you could ever ask for. Invisalign’s aligners are clearer than most of the brands. They are the least noticeable, even when one takes a close look. Invisalign is the most experienced brand and therefore is able to provide comfort and up to the mark performance.
On the other hand, Invisalign is not really that affordable. There are also certain comments stating that the final result wasn’t as satisfying as previewed. Though it has been difficult to prove that it was Invisalign’s fault alone. If you’re not a big fan of visiting your dentist now and then, Invisalign might not be the right choice for you.
What are some other options?
If you are not willing to pay more, some other good brands are Byte, SmileDirectClub and AlignerCo. Byte may still be a little costly but it provides best results in the least time. It does the work in less than half of the time taken by Invisalign (around three months). If you want budget friendly deals, then AlignerCo and SnapCorrect are the best options. Also, you won’t miss out on the free goodies offered by Invisalign, if you choose SnapCorrect. And if you seek the best service, then you should choose SmileLove or SmileDirectClub. Also,unlike Invisalign, these actually drop your aligners at your doorstep by mail.
How to make your Invisalign treatment effective?
- Invisalign offers four payment options. Make sure you brief on each one to save as much money as you can.
- It is always advisable to have FSA and HSA bank accounts and know what your insurance would actually cover.
- Take sufficient care of your aligners and oral health to reduce chances of bacteria or any other dental or gum infections.
- Wear your aligners for the maximum time to see accurate results.
FAQs
Do I need to wear aligners all day?
You have to wear it for around 20-22 hours each day which is close to wearing it the entire day. You only have to remove them while brushing,flossing,eating and drinking.
Are there any restrictions on the diet?
No, because you have to remove your aligners while eating.
Do I have to remove my aligners while drinking?
It is advisable to remove your aligners to prevent it from stains especially if you’re drinking something which is too hot or too cold.
Can my aligners slip off while sleeping?
Invisalign Aligners are very firm and that is not really possible. But, if something like that happens, you must contact your dentist immediately.
Will I have speech problems because of the aligners?
Your teeth and tongue might take time for the first few days to adjust but otherwise there shouldn’t be any problem.
What if I move to a different country during my treatment?
Invisalign has around 100 branches all over the world. They’ll be happy to continue your treatment in the other country as well.
Can I stop the treatment if I'm satisfied with my teeth before the treatment ends?
Only if your orthodontist agrees with you. Otherwise you have to carry on with the treatment to avoid any dental problems in the future.
We hope that this review has put more light on Invisalign and it helps you to choose the best option for your soon-to-be glam teeth. If you are going through or have already had your Invisalign treatment, drop in some valuable reviews to help those who are thinking of getting their teeth straightened at Invisalign.