What is the Invisalign treatment?
Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that is used in orthodontics to help the orthodontist or dentist straightens your teeth and build confident smiles – instead of metal braces. Treatment planning is done virtually, moving the teeth into correct alignment and then invisible plastic is used to achieve the plan.
One of the main reasons that patients opt for Invisalign-like types of clear aligners is that they are less visible as compared to traditional metal braces. Some patients also like the advantage of removing their invisible aligners during the day.
Invisalign treatment was introduced nearly 20 years ago and its name is almost synonymous with all clear aligners. There are a number of clear invisible aligner appliances similar to Invisalign on the market now, including 3M Clarity Aligner and OrthoCaps. These appliances all follow the same fundamental concept that is similar to Invisalign in order to straighten teeth. Providers often offer alternative to Invisalign these days.
What does an invisalign do?
Aligners or Invisalign are series of clear plastics that are used instead of traditional braces for straightening your teeth during an orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign treatment is a common term used for clear aligner theray often provided by an orthodontist. Invisalign aligners or other brand of clear aligners look like clear retainers.
What are the differences between Invisalign and clear aligners?
Invisalign clear aligner is one kind of invisible aligner in dentistry. In other words, Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners, like Ford is a brand of cars. Align technology manufactures the removable Invisalign appliance. There are several differences between Invisalign and alternative types of clear aligners. For example, Invisalign aligners are shaped around the gum, while some aligners aren’t. It’s been found that aligners with straight lines are often more comfortable aligners as compared to the scalloped ones. Another difference between brands of invisable aligners is that Invisalign uses one type of plastic to move teeth, whereas others utilize multiple types of plastic to do so.
One of the main factors that one should consider when it comes to using Invisalign-like aligners for orthodontic treatment is the skill level of the provider offering the care. Expertise matters. Achieving a great outcome is directly tied to the provider’s understanding of the right technical aspects of clear aligner treatment, and not related to the number of patients they have treated with Invisalign or similar appliances.
The factor that is common to all clear aligners, including Invisalign, is that patients should wear the appliances for 22 hours per day in order to achieve ideal results. Ask your orthodontist about the pros and cons of using aligners for your orthodontic care to find the right appliance for you.
Is Invisalign the most advanced clear aligner system?
Invisalign was one of the pioneer appliances in the clear aligner therapy and for a long time it led the charge in this treatment option. In the last five years, however, other aligner companies have introduced new systems to the market that present significant advantages as compared to the Invisalign brand. Dr. Rooz is a certified Invisalign provider and offer Porth Aligners as well as Invisalign at Porth.
Advances in 3D printing today started to offer a very promising future in moving teeth virtually and the use of clear aligner therapy. Because of this, at Porth we can offer convenient same day delivery of clear aligners, eliminating the weeks-long wait from third party labs to deliver to our practice. Additionally, the complete control over our treatment planning allows us to render a better quality care to our patients along with convenient appointment schedules.
Do I need rubber bands with my clear aligners or Invisalign?
Yes depending on your orthodontic treatment, you might need rubber band.
Are other clear aligners cheaper than Invisalign?
The cost of orthodontic treatment is determined based on the complexity of each case, which is correlated with the treatment time. The cost of the appliances used to move teeth is factored into the treatment fee. Invisalign is not a treatment. It is an appliance that a provider uses to move teeth.
At Porth, we believe in personalized care and allowing our patients to pick the appliance that matches their lifestyle and needs. Generally speaking, the treatment cost is similar for clear aligners or traditional metal braces.
What about Candid Co and Smile Direct club services?
Candid co and smile direct club are examples of direct to consumer aligners providers. We encourage you to consult with a few orthodontists before pursuing such services.
Is clear aligner therapy limited to adult orthodontics?
Invisalign, as well as other clear aligners, were initially the appliance of choice in adult orthodontics. Adults mostly choose straightening their teeth with aligners becasue of its relatively convinent usage. These days, however, kids and teens are choosing to use aligners along with adults. At Porth, we offer Invisalign and clear aligners to kids and teens, in addition to conventional metal brackets to patients interested in fixed appliances – traditional metal brackets. Aligner has been the prefered appliance of choice at Porth.
It is a common belief that teens and kids don’t do as well with aligners. We have found, however, that that our younger patients consistently impress us by wearing their aligners as instructed. Because of the challenges, and frequent indecision on appliance choice, we offer a one-time switch between appliances during treatment (on one of our treatment packages.)
Does Invisalign straighten your jaw?
Clear aligners like Invisalign can be used to address jaw problems beside fixing crooked teeth.
Orthodontic treatment to straighten your jaw sometime involves corrective jaw surgery. An orthodontist work with an oral surgeon on straightening your jawlines and fix your bite problems.
Correction of severe deep overbite, openbite, crossbite, underbite, asymmetric jawbones along with corrective jaw surgery can be done with aligners aka invisalign. Metal braces used to be the appliance of choice for such procedure.
Rubber bands or other auxiliary appliances can be used with plastic aligners (invisalign treatment) to straighten your jaws.
How long do you have to wear invisalign or clear aligners?
The duration of orthodontic treatment with series clear aligners depends on the complexity of the care. The range of clear aligner therapy varies between 2 to over 24 months – minor improvements in smile to complex bite issues. Most of research studies in orthodontics suggest 1mm tooth movement in average. Considering this fact, the more movement the longer the treatment time.
Compliance with wearing clear aligners is a major factor in treatment time. We recommend 22 hours of aligner wear during the day and night. Daily life with clear aligners needs adjustment.
Is invisalign – or other clear aligners – better than braces with wires?
Multiple dental appliances are used in orthodontics to improve your smile and oral health. There are some movements that are more efficient with clear aligners. We believe that patients are the best judges when it comes to selecting their appliances. The best one is the one that will be used correctly and consistently.
Does Invisalign make you lose weight?
Aligner treatment, also referred as Invisalign treatment, requires the patient to wear invisalign aligners 22 hours per day. This allows the orthodontic forces to straighten your teeth.
Limited to no snacking is part of the “Invisalign diet”. Most patients in clear aligner therapy experience weight loss as a side effect of their orthodontic treatment. Some found this a good time to improve their eating habits while improving their oral health. The fact that invisalign patients can remove their aligners to floss food particles out easier than metal braces is an advantage of aligners.
Do I need retainers after Invisalign or clear aligners?
Retainers are the mostly overlooked essential aspects of orthodontic treatment. Independent of appliances used to move your teeth, you have to wear retainers for the rest of your life. Orthodontic retainers come in two general forms: fixed and removable. Clear removable plastic retainers are the most common retainers today. To learn more about retainers please refer to the Porth comprehensive guide on orthodontic retainer.
Clear Aligner Options Comparison
| PORTH Clear aligners | Invisalign | Mail order/Box Orthodontics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider type | ABO-certified top orthodontist | Dentists and orthodontists | Unclear |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$ | $ |
| Outcome | meets ABO standard | Varies | Unclear standard |
| Treatment time | 6-20 months | 12-24 months | 6-9 months |
| Insurance | partially covered | partially covered | may be partially covered |
| Delivery | Same day to 2 days | 4-6 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Plastic accompanied components | BPA and gluten free | unknown | unknown |
Why choose customized Porth Aligners versus a brand name?
- Faster treatment time
- Dr. Rooz has complete control of the treatment not a technician
- Aligners are produced locally and fully customized for a better quality care
How do PORTH clear aligners work?
Consultation
This is the opportunity to hear the details of your treatment needs and learn your options. Consultations are always free at our practice and we strive to provide you with high quality service.
Custom Treatment Planning
As a leading expert in clear aligners, Dr. Rooz has thorough knowledge of tooth movement using plastic. He’ll discuss your treatment plan tailored to your needs and customized to your interests.
Same Day Start
Because our lab is located within our office we can begin production of your aligners as soon as you’re ready to get started!