It's Invisalign's Fault !

My Dentist says: “It’s Invisalign’s Fault!”

My bite just feels a little off from what it was before I got my Invisalign.  My dentist says: “It’s Invisalign’s fault… sometimes that just happens with Invisalign.”  

This front tooth right here just didn’t get straight when I had Invisalign before. My dentist says “It’s Invisalign’s fault…sometimes that is all the straighter Invisalign will get the teeth.”

As an Orthodontist, I have heard comments like these many times in recent years from patients who have come into my office for a consultation regarding the results of their previous Invisalign treatment.  They have come in because they feel Invisalign didn’t work and it’s all Invisalign’s fault.  The only way the typical lay person would know what to blame is if their Invisalign Provider told them it was Invisalign’s fault rather than  offering any further recommendations or treatment alternatives to further correct these legitimate concerns.  Or, if they did offer an alternative, quoting an additional fee to “fix what Invisalign messed up”.

As I have made perfectly clear in these writings, Invisalign is not a cure-all and straight-all in orthodontics.  Yet, neither is any other “tool” in the Orthodontist’s available range of braces and appliances.  In fact, there are certain types of orthodontic mal-alignments and problems that there simply is no complete fix available short of extensive facial-jaw surgery to correct.  Generally speaking, these can and should be identified in advance before Invisalign or any braces are even recommended.   

So…Is it really Invisalign’s Fault?

Well…let me tell you about the “Plumber with One Wrench”.

Let’s imagine your home is equipped with a relatively standardized valve to turn the water on…and your homes valve is stuck closed.  So you call out a plumber to open the valve.  The plumber shows up with just one wrench that he knows how to use to open the valve.  He gives you the fee estimate, explains the process and shows you THE wrench he always uses to open the valve.  You assume he is “the expert” knows that wrench must be the answer to your problem, no other alternative was mentioned.  You approve, pay him the fee and “put him to work”.  He returns saying the job is complete but the value is only open half-way, the water is running but very slowly.  He says as he leaves your home…”It’s THE wrench’s fault...sometimes that is all the further THE wrench I use will open some valves.  Now that I tried it, I know yours happens to be one of them.”   As the door is closing you vaguely hear: “Oh by the way, THE wrench caused your valve to be struck in this position.  If you want that fixed…schedule another service call.”

So…is it really THE wrench’s fault…well…the wrench had a part to play, yes.  Certainly the wrench has some limitations since it apparently doesn’t work quite right sometimes.  Unfortunately, the Plumber seems to only knows that after there is a problem.  With only one wrench to work with, this Plumber fixed it the best he could. 

And so it is in orthodontic care, Invisalign is an absolutely wonderful orthodontic “wrench”; it works beautifully most of the time.  But what if it doesn’t, what does your Invisalign Provider have in their Orthodontic “toolbox” to offer you?  Ask them before you start your Invisalign care…”If by chance Invisalign does not work for me, do you use a different kind of braces or appliances to resolve the problem.  Do you charge me for that additional treatment?”  You decide what the right answer is but at least get an answer other than: “Don’t worry; Invisalign always works”.  My suggestion following an answer like that…leave the office ASAP and get a second opinion because it does NOT always work as we would expect or hope.

Every type of orthodontic appliance works; just not every time…

that includes Invisalign.

Do NOT blame Invisalign for “not working”…it’s not THE wrench but the Plumber who fixes the leak.

 Thinking about getting Invisalign?   Always look for this logo:

                          

Choose a member of the American Association of Orthodontists to provide your Invisalign care.   Membership requires training in all aspects and types of orthodontic braces including Invisalign.  All members of the AAO are referred to as Orthodontists or Orthodontic Specialists…they possess all the orthodontic “tools”. 

Dr. Paul Hamersky DDS, MS is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and a Preferred Provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen.  Here at Douglas County Orthodontics we proudly offer a full range of fixed braces, clear, colored and removable appliances including the extensive use of Invisalign…each chosen specifically as the best available treatment for you and your family.  

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.