Invisalign Alternative
Invisalign is an effective treatment method for tooth and bite correction. The almost invisible dental splints are the alternative to classic braces Phoenix that are particularly suitable for working people. The tooth movements take place through the regular change of the tooth splints. The treatment is planned with millimeter precision using the digital software. In addition to Invisalign, there are now many other suppliers of clear aligners. In this article we will explain to you which alternative aligners there are and how they differ from Invisalign:
Lingual braces
A lingual brace is a fixed brace with brackets and wires, but these are glued to the inside of the teeth. Lingual braces have their origins in sports, as sticking brackets to the front of the teeth has led to more injuries. It has the advantages of classic braces, but cannot be used on everyone. For treatment with this method, there must be enough space between the lower and upper jaw for the brackets. In addition, the cleaning routine is difficult, because food residues often get stuck between the wire and the brackets, which have to be cleaned with a special brush, otherwise tooth decay can quickly occur. Even minor injuries to the tongue or mouth are no exception.
Invisalign and other aligner alternatives
Invisalign Phoenix is the market leader in aligner tooth correction. Over 22 years of research are behind the technology and over 600 patents protect the unique method from competitors. Invisalign is the only clear brace that can treat over 90 percent of orthodontic cases, including severe misaligned teeth, where other providers have failed. The majority of clear aligners can only make cosmetic corrections and are only an alternative to Invisalign if there is a slight misalignment. More precisely, this means that only the front 6-8 teeth can be corrected with this type of straightening.
How does at-home aligner treatment work?
Tooth correction from home is possible with different providers of transparent aligners. It all works like this:
• You check on the website or via app whether you are suitable for the treatment
• You will get an impression set sent to your home if you do not want to go to a partner clinic for a 3D scan
• You make your own imprint under video instructions
• You send your impressions and photos to the lab and they will now make your aligners
• You will receive your aligners in the mail and start your treatment on your own
• Based on the photos, the course of treatment is monitored by a dentist or orthodontist.
Note: Tooth correction at home is considered dangerous by experts and also by the American Dental Association. A tooth correction is a medical procedure and should always take place under the supervision of a doctor.
If a patient only sends impressions and pictures, other dental problems such as tooth decay in the gaps, inflammation of the gums or temporomandibular joint problems may not be detected. The pressure exerted can also have negative consequences for patients with unhealthy teeth. For example, it can lead to an enormous recession of the gums.
Invisalign compared to classic metal braces
The advantages of Invisalign treatment compared to metal braces are as follows:
• Almost invisible braces
• Comfortable to wear – no brackets, no wire but individually tailored to the patient so that the splints sit optimally
• No restrictions: neither with your eating habits nor with your dental care – hygienic and easy to clean
• Suitable for everyday use: no food leftovers in the brackets or the wire
• Time saving: no need to constantly pull the wires, you can easily change your splints at home
• Digital Dental Impression – No squeezing, no choking with the unsavory impression compound
• Removable: they can be temporarily removed for important occasions or appointments
• Pain-free: no wires and brackets to prick
• Planned and predictable: With the 3D scan, we can show you a simulation of your future teeth before the start of treatment and take your wishes into account in the planning
• Invisalign App: You can track your changes digitally with the app
• Severe tooth misalignments can be corrected. Note: The more experienced the doctor is, the better complex deformities can be treated.
However, tooth correction with Invisalign requires discipline, which is not required of the patient with metal braces. The splints should be worn 18-22 hours a day for best results.
12 things you should know about Invisalign
1. The technology is getting better every day
Every correction made with Invisalign is stored in the internal database and helps the system to calculate each further treatment better and more efficiently. Patients benefit from over 9 million successfully completed cases (as of October 2020). Thanks to decades of research, Invisalign is the market leader in invisible dental splints and not only ensures the best possible optical result, but also the perfect bite.
2. Initiative is the most important requirement
In order to successfully complete the Invisalign treatment, initiative is elementary. The daily wearing time of 18-22 hours should be observed and the splints should only be removed to brush your teeth, eat and drink warm and colored drinks. The splints are changed every 7-14 days. Exactly how many days you should wear them depends on the severity of your treatment and the daily wearing time. You should consult your doctor for this.
3. Getting used to it is normal
Like everything else in life, Invisalign therapy is also a matter of habit. Wearing the splints, taking them out to eat and the cleaning routine requires a little getting used to. You also have to familiarize yourself with the slight pressure that arises when changing rails. The first track here is the challenge. After that, life with the aligners will become indispensable. The initial lisp goes away after a few hours on the first day. Your tongue will get used to the splint very quickly and with a little practice you will be able to pronounce the S-sound as usual in no time.
4. Not invisible, but almost invisible
Invisalign aligners are made from patented Smart Track material, a transparent plastic that controls and gently moves teeth. The splints are made individually for each patient and sit wafer-thin on the teeth. So they remain as good as invisible. Invisalign therapy relies on attachments in order to be able to perform heavy movements in a short time and without unnecessary intermediate movements. Attachments are small composite points placed on selected teeth. The color of the attachments is matched to your own tooth color. You don’t notice the aligners and attachments from a distance, you can only see the splints if you take a closer look.
5. Not every doctor can achieve the same results.
Invisalign treatment requires experience and expertise to plan. Not every doctor can achieve the same results with the aligner system. Especially in complex cases, the treatment with the invisible splints goes beyond the competence of some doctors, which means that they prefer to use the tried and tested metal braces. It is best to pay attention to the provider status of the doctor. This is assigned by Invisalign and reflects the number of successfully completed cases. The highest status is Diamond Status. The more experience the doctor has, the better he will be able to use the dental splint system on you.
6. Prices vary greatly It is
Not only the experience of the doctors and the treatment options that differ from practice to practice, but also the prices. On average, an Invisalign treatment costs between $3,500 and $8,000. Each doctor can determine his own prices. At SmileClubOne, we believe that Invisalign treatment should be affordable for everyone. This is also reflected in our fair and transparent prices. The costs in the SmileClubare between $1656 and $3790. You can find our exact prices here. You can read more about how the prices of an Invisalign treatment are made up and whether you can get them reimbursed in our article on the costs.
7. The correction is not done with the treatment alone
At the end of your treatment, it is important to secure your result. The Invisalign treatment is not enough, because after the successful completion your teeth can move again without retention. It takes some time for the teeth to settle into their new position. The use of a retainer is very important to ensure that the beautiful result is preserved. There is the fixed and removable option of retention with their advantages and disadvantages. Let your doctor inform you about the use of a retainer. Read more about the different retainer options.
8. Duration of treatment is individual
The duration of treatment for your Invisalign tooth correction depends on the severity of your misalignment and compliance with the wearing time. The duration of treatment may be shortened with compliance or lengthened if neglected. It is important that you remain honest with yourself. If you have not worn the splints so well, you should delay changing the splints accordingly. Although this increases the treatment time, it helps to achieve a better result and puts less pressure on the teeth when changing the trays.
9. Better dental hygiene
Brushing your teeth after every meal will improve dental hygiene during your Invisalign treatment. You’ll quickly get used to taking your toothbrush with you everywhere and pursuing your brushing routine on the go. It is best to pack a small bag with a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss.
10. Treatment usually pain-free
Pain during tooth correction with Invisalign should not usually arise. There is repositioning of your teeth, and this process can put some pressure on you, but the aligners are not painful. Tension on teeth is most noticeable after a tray change. 50% of the patients felt a slight pressure during the treatment and 35% said they didn’t feel any tension on their teeth.
11. Have realistic expectations
In most cases, Invisalign treatment is faster than traditional metal braces. It is also much more comfortable and aesthetic while still remaining an orthodontic therapy. In order for the treatment to be successful, you must wear your splints regularly. In addition to your discipline, the willingness of your teeth to move can affect the length of treatment. Most patients can usually expect a wonderful result, but it sometimes happens that the jaw and teeth do not cooperate as planned and it is difficult to move them. So it’s important to have realistic expectations and to keep in mind that there may be a slight delay in treatment. The follow-up treatment is free of charge.
12. Lose weight with Invisalign
Many patients lose weight in the first few weeks of Invisalign treatment. This is not because they cannot eat, but much more because the gestation period is observed. As a result, you snack less and may also lose weight. However, it is important to mention here that the body gets used to this change very quickly and this side effect only lasts for a short time. Patients also often get used to eating the same amount of food in 3 meals, excluding the snacks between meals. This means that there is no longer a calorie deficit. However, self-discipline increases, which is a positive side effect.
