Invisalign: A Replacement for Braces?

Invisalign; A Replacement for Braces?

Part 2

Is it REALLY that Simple?  Here’s the challenges with Invisalign:

1. Achieving perfectly straight teeth at the end of the initial course of Invisalign Aligners

The teeth are always straighter from the “starting point” but as an Orthodontic Specialists (Orthodontist), my expectations are for perfection.  Many times we just cannot get the alignment as perfect as I expect with Invisalign the first time through the prescribed course of Aligners.  This is not to say Invisalign can not make your teeth straight, but if anyone guarantees or implies perfectly straight teeth with Invisalign only…be aware, that may be optimistic.

2.  Limited control of the bite and/or its correction.

Invisalign uses independent Aligner for your upper and lower teeth which have been fabricated using a computer imaging model for your mouth.  During this fabrication process, the positions your jaws are related to each other in a static or fixed biting position to plan and construct your custom Aligners.  The natural movement and jaw function are not considered when planning Invisalign treatment but rather only the fixed biting position with your teeth touching together in a full bite.  It is assumed that once you start to move your jaw, the positions of the teeth do not matter anymore.  It is also assumed that you will always bite back together into that same position every time.  I think common intuition will tell you that both of these assumptions are simply not true most of the time.  So…if this is not mentioned or explained by your Invisalign Provider, it may be a very optimistic to expect that it is not important.

3.  An unexpected and undesirable bite change can occur while straightening your teeth with Invisalign.

This is perhaps in the same general category as the above but warrants separate mention.  What if your bite is just fine and you only want to “get your teeth straight”?  Many times that is only intention and in fact the only thing that needs to be done.  Invisalign is typically the perfect solution.  No change in your bite is needed or wanted.

Here is a general statement of truth in orthodontics…changing the position of any single tooth will in fact change your bite to some extent.  In most cases, the body simply adjusts and adapts to these minor bite changes as virtually unnoticed.  But on occasion, you are very much aware of that change to your bite and find it very undesirable and even painful.  This has actually been one of my personal frustrations during my 30 year career in orthodontics in general…what starts as a seemingly straight forward simple orthodontic treatment turns into a complete overhaul of ones bite just to straighten a single tooth.  This is not unique or solely a problem with Invisalign, it happens all the time with fixed braces.  Ask your Invisalign Provider what alternatives or solutions they may offer if this problem should arise during your treatment.

 

4. Compliance

There really is not much that needs to be said about compliance, it is required across the board in orthodontics.  The reason I have mentioned it in this topic of “challenges I have with Invisalign” is that compliance is absolutely required for successful Invisalign treatment…”If you do not wear your Aligners virtually 24/7, Invisalign will not work, period.” Be realistic and brutally honest with yourself or your teenagers contemplating Invisalign treatment, be prepared to do your part or opt for fixed braces which can work with a less compliance commitment on your part.

Does all this sound like Invisalign doesn’t work…?  I hope not!

Invisalign is actually quite amazingly effective to correct and straighten orthodontic malocclusions.  Align Technology, the manufacturers of Invisalign, have diligently researched and developed their product.  The most recent release of their Invisalign Teen Aligner System, as well as a major upgrade to Generation 3 Invisalign has been breathtaking in scope from an Orthodontist’s viewpoint.

The Bottom Line

My purpose here is to shed light on the advertized apparent simplicity of Invisalign treatment.  It seems to be offered and available in many neighborhood family dental offices.  Yet…is it really that simple.  It is a very effective tool in hands of a trained Orthodontic Specialist.  Everything in the Orthodontist Toolbox works…just not every time.  It is optimistic to expect a system of Aligners which are all made in advance with no particular knowledge of the unique movements of your  bite and muscle function, will “work” every time.  This is not a problem with the tool…there is not something wrong with Invisalign.  There are solutions to every one of these challenges…it first requires a recognition there is a problem, then having the education and experience to provide a modification or alternative.

Obviously…not the end of the “story

Invisalign; A Replacement for Braces?

Invisalign; A Replacement for Braces?

Part 1

“Invisalign.....what a concept?”  Ads everywhere, your family dentist, magazines, Internet touting that perfect smile WITHOUT those ugly braces.  In fact, wearing those stupid looking braces is usually the primary reason that’s stopping many adults and older teens getting orthodontic treatment.

“Hey, Invisalign is even removable, I can wear it only at night and no one will ever know I even have braces.”…Whoa there Kemo Sabe…read further.

Great marketing BUT, is Invisalign really just as good as Braces?

The Myth: Invisalign is a Complete Replacement for Braces to Straighten Your Teeth.

The Truth: Most of the Time but Not Every Time.  In fact, this is a true statement about everything in orthodontics…everything in health care…quite frankly everything in Life.

Let me make something clear…I use Invisalign, in fact I am a committed provider of Invisalign and use it just as regularly as I use fixed braces or any other orthodontic appliances.  Invisalign is a great product…just understand it’s an orthodontic tool.  The many, many tools which have been developed in orthodontics all work…just not on everyone and not every time.

Invisalign marketing has implied they have created an invisible replacement for braces, period.  I believe that is an optimistic statement or implication.  I will make it very clear to my patients who are contemplating Invisalign to expect some potential limitations with Invisalign treatment.  It is the same “Informed Consent” I would use prior to treatment with fixed braces.

“It’s not the paint and brush that creates the masterpiece”

Invisalign “works” differently than braces and has some limitations that fixed braces do not have.  The primary difference is the Invisalign “Aligners” are not actually attached to the teeth as braces are. The Aligners work by basically “squeezing” your teeth into place.  The Aligner is made from a clear thermo-molded plastic which has been formed to the exact shapes of your teeth. Invisalign’s patented process progressively changes the location of where your teeth fit into the Aligner. As you wear each Aligner, it has been shaped with the teeth a little bit straighter each time. The teeth get “squeezed” closer and closer to their projected finished position.

I’m dating myself here…but have you ever seen a “flip book cartoon”?  You flip the individual changing cartoon drawings to create the movement of the creatures.  Each Insalign Aligner is a 3-D model of your mouth very slightly altered and very slightly straighter.  Add them all up, flip through the “cartoon pages”, and lo and belold…your teeth “move” from crooked to straight..

The Bottom Line

If compliance and instruction are followed, getting your teeth fixed without wearing braces can be worth all the extra challenges if you are just know what to expect.