Invisalign

• Benefits of Invisalign
• High-Quality Products
• SmartForce Attachments
• Invisalign Teen

Benefits of Invisalign

There are numerous reasons why people choose Invisalign clear aligners over traditional metal braces. Some of Invisaligns benefits include the following:

• Easily removable — makes it easy to keep up with good oral hygiene
• No emergency dentist or orthodontist visits due to broken brackets or wires
• Virtually invisible — clear plastic trays made from high-quality plastic
• Often cheaper than traditional braces — may be covered by an orthodontic insurance plan

Invisalign is an excellent option for those looking for straighter teeth, without interrupting their life with regular braces. While many other companies in the industry are limited to fixing mild and moderate alignment issues, Invisalign is continually finding ways to fix more complex orthodontic issues.

High-Quality Products

Invisalign creates its aligners using industry-leading technology based on an individual treatment plan. In order for its product to be "invisible," every Invisalign aligner is customized and engineered to fit the patient's teeth.

Using the iTero Element® scanner, patients can have a 3D image of their teeth in just a few minutes. Invisalign prides itself on the fact that it has eliminated the need for goopy molds made from putty. The iTero Element allows doctors to get a high-resolution, interactive image that helps to simplify the aligner process.

Invisalign aligners are also made of SmartTrack® Material. The company engineered the material specifically to help get the best fit possible.

SmartTrack® Material applies a gentle, constant force, helps improve control of tooth movements, straightens teeth with 75 percent more predictability, ensures a snug fit, and reports treatment times up to 50 percent faster.

Invisalign even takes the time to trim each aligner individually, so it doesn't bother the patient's gum line. Every aligner is examined to ensure it meets Invisalign's high-quality standards.

SmartForce® Attachments

Patients with more complex dental issues might want to check out Invisalign's SmartForce® attachments. The attachments are small tooth-colored shapes that are bonded to the teeth either before or during the Invisalign treatment. It should be noted that getting the attachments doesn't require any drilling or numbing shots. They are simply attached to the front of the teeth and when the treatment is done can easily be polished off. The attachments merely give the aligners something to push on and help force the teeth into the right position.  

SmartForce® Attachments are generally only used in more complex cases and not everyone who uses Invisalign will need the attachments.

Invisalign Teen

While invisible braces or clear aligners are generally more popular among adults, Invisalign notes that its technology is a great option for people of all ages. The clear aligners with precision wings can help fix class II malocclusions — this is where the upper and lower jaw don't line up. The mandibular advancement feature can help tweens and teen correct overbites while straightening their teeth at the same time.

Invisalign First is great for parents with younger children, ages 6 to 10, to start addressing any developing orthodontic problems. While many parents are hesitant to start their child's orthodontic treatment while they're so young, the Invisalign First clear aligner was designed for predictable results and a positive experience to better address the unique needs of growing children.

The clear aligners for teens have a built-in indicator dot that helps monitor progress. If your teen is wearing Invisalign correctly and for the recommended amount of time, the blue dot will fade. If your teen isn't wearing them as the treatment plan suggests, the blue dot will be visible to your orthodontist or dentist.

Invisalign is a viable option for both kids and teens, as the product is easily removable — making it easier to brush and floss, and the clear aligners were designed to be extremely comfortable — no more discomfort with metal brackets or poking wires tearing up the mouth.

• Doctor Visits Required
• Is Invisalign Right For You?
• Invisalign Cost

Doctor Visits Required

Invisalign requires doctor visits in order to take an impression of your teeth, make adjustments to aligners, and to make payments. Other invisible braces companies cut out the doctor's visits and work directly with the customer, making the treatment time much quicker for.

Dentists and orthodontists act as a middle man between the customer and the Invisalign treatment. Although a dental professional is necessary for accurate teeth alignment, they do complicate the process when customers have to make regular appointments.

Invisalign suggests scheduling regular appointments with your doctor every four to six weeks.

Is Invisalign Right For You?

One of the most attractive features of invisible aligner providers is that most of them offer in-home teeth assessments and remote-doctor directed treatment, a foreign luxury to conventional braces. Invisalign works exclusively through individual dentists and orthodontists.

Those looking into getting clear braces can fill out Invisalign's Smile Assessment questionnaire to see if an Invisalign treatment is a viable option. However, Invisalign warns that the Smile Assessment does not replace the need for a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist, as only a trained Invisalign provider can determine whether a customer is a good candidate. While this is helpful information to know, it would be more useful if Invisalign stated whether the company offers a free consultation or not.

Invisalign Cost

How much does Invisalign cost for you? Invisalign advertises that the only thing its invisible aligners have in common with traditional metal braces is the price. Unfortunately, the price is the worst part about metal braces.

Invisalign could cost you anywhere from $3,500 to $7,100, without insurance, to straighten your teeth.