Does Invisalign Work?

Thursday, October 08, 2009 7:52 AM

Invisalign is a system of orthodontic trays used to straighten the alignment of the teeth. They are popular for being clear and less noticeable than traditional braces, but do they work?

Invisalign is often touted as an effective, easy, and nearly invisible alternative to classic metal braces. They work by creating a hard plastic mold that fits over the teeth and can be worn inconspicuously to school, work, or out about the town without obvious wire and brackets over the teeth. The Invisalign “braces” are only removed when you are eating, brushing your teeth, or drinking beverages. In spite of the obvious advantages to Invisalign, some dentists and orthodontists say that it is not as effective as wire braces.

While traditional braces may be preferred by some orthodontists, peer-reviewed studies seem to suggest similar results in individuals that wear Invisalign braces to those who wear traditional ones. Fabricated aligners (the choice term for orthodontists who promote Invisalign) are formulated by computer model to fit your teeth, and to apply the correct amount of pressure to move teeth into the correct position within the mouth. When your teeth begin to rest comfortably in the retainer provided, a new one is molded to continue altering the positioning of the teeth, until gradually the proper alignment is achieved. Treatment generally takes less time than treatment with standard braces, although visits to an orthodontist may be more or less frequent depending on your preference.

Invisalign braces have a number of other advantages over traditional braces in addition to their transparency. Patients report less gum and lip irritation with Invisalign as there are fewer protruding pieces in the mouth. The Invisalign tray is removable, allowing you to care for the teeth by flossing and brushing regularly, and you can take it out during meal times. It can be removed for an average of two hours per day.

Proponents of Invisalign point to this data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system above and beyond traditional braces. However, some users have pointed out problems with the Invisalign system that wire braces don't have. Instances of cavities in some cases have been higher due to the lack of cleansing saliva reaching the teeth. Invisalign, unlike more traditional forms of orthodontic care, cannot raise or lower teeth into the correct position; it can merely shift them around to allow them to align more evenly. Perhaps most important is that patients can remove the Invisalign trays at will. An hour missed with the Invisalign system takes more than an hour to make up. This means, if you feel uncomfortable with tray changes, or forget to put your Invisalign mold back in before falling asleep, progress can be severely impeded.

Sticking to the treatment plan as outlined by a qualified orthodontist is by far the best way to see results from Invisalign. While some people feel that it doesn’t work fast enough, or may not notice changes in their teeth after a couple of months, it does seem that with proper care and supervision, the Invisalign system can assist with orthodontic alignment.

Related Topics: Invisalign | Wire Braces | Invisialign Dentist | Invisalign Orthodontist

Related Articles:

Locate Invisalign Providers

-- Choose from the list below -- Arizona Invisalign      Scottsdale Invisalign California Invisalign      Del Mar Invisalign      Fremont Invisalign      Oakland Invisalign      San Diego Invisalign      San Francisco Invisalign      San Jose Invisalign      Santa Monica Invisalign      Santa Rosa Invisalign      Vacaville Invisalign Colorado Invisalign      Colorado Springs Invisalign DC Invisalign      Washington Invisalign Georgia Invisalign      Atlanta Invisalign Illinois Invisalign      Chicago Invisalign Louisiana Invisalign      New Orleans Invisalign Maryland Invisalign      Baltimore Invisalign Missouri Invisalign      Kansas City Invisalign New Jersey Invisalign      Chester Invisalign New York Invisalign      Great Neck Invisalign      New York Invisalign Oregon Invisalign      Portland Invisalign Tennessee Invisalign      Nashville Invisalign Texas Invisalign      Dallas Invisalign      Houston Invisalign Utah Invisalign      St George Invisalign Washington Invisalign      Seattle Invisalign

OR

Consumers researching Invisalign also researched:

• Latest Headlines
• Top Procedures
• Most Read