10 Common Invisalign Myths Debunked

There is no more popular cosmetic dental treatment on the market than Invisalign treatment. You see Invisalign everywhere – on television, on social media, and on your family members and friends. It seems like the golden arch of dental treatment; correct your teeth with nearly invisible trays without the need for traditional metal braces. While Invisalign has so many advantages, there are also some misconceptions about treatment. If you are looking for Invisalign in San Diego, you want to be well informed before making a major investment financially and dental healthwise.

Some common myths around Invisalign and frequently discussed topics around the clear aligner treatment include:

1. All clear aligners are the same.

Invisalign was developed over twenty years ago and has had millions of patients and the time to perfect the technology and aligner system. Invisalign invests in SmartTrack Aligner Technology to create clear trays that provide the most precise fit and most accurate tooth movement compared to other aligner brands. There is no other brand that has longevity or clinical studies that show their plastic aligners are as effective as Invisalign.

2. Only simple malocclusions can be corrected.

Invisalign is one of the only aligner brands that can treat simple, moderate, and complex malocclusions. For people who have dental issues like severe crowding, jaw problems, missing teeth, large gaps, etc. Invisalign can treat cases with special attachments like elastics, making treatment still virtually invisible. Your dentist in San Diego, CA will be able to explain the entire Invisalign process from start to finish and show you your progress from your personalized ClinCheck software.

3. Invisalign does not require the same attention to hygiene as braces.

Since Invisalign is removable, there is less food and plaque debris that can get caught in your orthodontic appliance. Although you can eat and brush more comfortably, you still need daily care for your teeth and trays to avoid tooth decay, plaque buildup, and staining of your aligners. The last thing you want is to wear stained Invisalign trays because you didn’t care for them properly.

4. You don’t need to wear your aligners 22 hours a day.

If you don’t wear your Invisalign trays as instructed, there is more of a chance of your teeth not following the treatment plan and moving into their correct positions. Aligners should stay firmly in your mouth for up to 22 hours per day, but you can simply remove them for eating, brushing, and flossing.

5. Any dentist can treat with Invisalign.

While nearly any dentist can do Invisalign, it takes education, time, and training to perform it well. This means you want to invest in a dentist who has experience with complex cases and understands the foundation of tooth movement. More experience will help you ensure optimal results with better treatment planning and possibly less time in aligners.

6. Invisalign is not for children.

Children and teens who are interested in Invisalign should discuss their needs with their dentist. Invisalign offers Invisalign First for adolescents in mixed dentition. The trays are designed to allow for baby teeth, missing teeth, and erupting teeth. They also offer Invisalign Teen for younger patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues. They have an indicator for parents that can help remind them to wear their aligners too.

7. Invisalign treatment is shorter than braces.

Treatment time always depends on the severity of your case and your compliance. If you have a mild case but don’t wear your trays as instructed, treatment can prolong. Both braces and Invisalign typically work at the same speed.

8. Invisalign is painful.

Trays can be uncomfortable when you first get them, but like any orthodontic treatment, it becomes familiar quickly. Invisalign is designed to be comfortable and less painful than traditional brackets and wires. Typically, they can be more painful during the first few days of a new set of trays just as braces would be uncomfortable when wires are changed.

9. Invisalign is more expensive than braces.

Both braces and Invisalign are fairly comparable in price. Typically the price of orthodontics depends on your dental insurance coverage, the severity of your case, the average cost in your location, the cost of retainers, if you need any adjustments following treatment, and if you lose any trays. Invisalign is definitely not cheap and is an investment in your dental health and confidence. Invisalign near you is one of the best ways to fix a dental imperfection and at the end of treatment, your new, perfect smile is worth the expense.

10. You can’t eat certain foods with Invisalign.

One of the greatest advantages of choosing Invisalign is that the trays are removable. You can technically eat whatever you want while also undergoing orthodontic care. Unlike braces, you can eat some of your favorite snacks that are sticky and chewy, but remember to remove your aligners to prevent damage.