Invisalign is a great option for orthodontic treatment. It allows you to get your teeth straightened without a need for metal brackets and wires. But there are a few important things you need to consider before deciding that they’re right for you.

1. Not Everyone Is a Candidate

Invisalign is great for most cases, but not all. For many people, a different orthodontic treatment will give better or faster results. That’s why we offer other orthodontic options, including braces, Six Month Smiles, and the Inman Aligner.

2. You Have to Wear Them Most of the Day

Think of this: your braces would be on your teeth 24 hours a day. Could Invisalign achieve the same results if it were only on your teeth 8 hours a day or less? No, it couldn’t. You need to wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day to make sure you get the results you desire.

3. You Have to Brush and Floss after Every Meal

The good news about Invisalign is that you don’t have to worry about brushing and flossing around the wires and brackets that you have with braces. The bad news is that when you remove your aligners to eat, you have to brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligners back in.

Clear orthodontic aligners in a red storage case on white

4. Your Aligners Can Stain

So why not just leave aligners in to eat? Aside from the fact that chewing with your aligners in isn’t very effective and can damage the aligners, the aligners can stain. Once the aligners get discolored your teeth will look discolored until you go to your next aligner, which could be two weeks away. Instead, remember to take your aligners out whenever you eat, but also when drinking staining beverages like coffee or wine.

5. It Can Lead to Weight Loss

When you have to take your aligners out any time you eat or drink something, you’re less likely to want to do that for just one little snack. As a result, you’ll snack less, and you’ll find yourself losing weight.

6. It Takes Time to Adjust to Speech

One less pleasing side effect of Invisalign is that you might not immediately be able to speak clearly. You might have a lisp for a while. If it’s problematic, practice speaking at home, and you’ll get the hang of it. Fortunately, you can take your aligners out if you absolutely have to be understood, such as if you have a major presentation or other public speaking.

7. Invisalign Express Is Only for Minor Cases

A few years ago, Invisalign introduced Invisalign Express, which promises to complete your treatment in a very short period of time (ten weeks), but it’s only good for very select cases.

8. Less Uncomfortable than Braces

People who’ve had braces know about the discomfort associated with tightening visits. Typically, Invisalign aligners don’t have the same level of discomfort. But there is some: after all, your teeth are still being moved. And some aligners might be more uncomfortable than others at first.

9. Trays Require Cleaning, too

Remember how we talked about potential staining? To prevent that, as well as to avoid the accumulation of bacteria in your trays, you’ll have to clean your aligners.

10. Treatment Time Is an Estimate

Although Invisalign uses sophisticated computer technology to analyze the movements of your teeth, there is still room for error. Sometimes your treatment time is done, but your teeth aren’t quite where they’re wanted. Then it may take an extra month or so to complete.

11. You’ll Have to Wear a Retainer

After you complete your treatment with Invisalign, you’ll still have to wear a retainer to keep your teeth from drifting back after treatment. This is just part of the treatment for any orthodontic procedure.

Do you have other questions you’d like to ask about Invisalign? Please call  for an appointment with an Orange County cosmetic dentist at Rice Dentistry in Irvine.