We always make a point to lay it all out there for our patients when they ask about Invisalign. We know why people love clear aligners but we also want them to be aware of the downsides before committing to treatment, because we think informed patients make better choices. At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we’d much rather you walk in with a clear idea of what to expect than get blindsided down the line. Acceledent is an advanced orthodontic device that supports faster tooth movement by applying gentle micro-pulses, helping patients potentially reduce overall treatment time while maintaining comfort.
Before we start discussing the benefits, we typically talk about the importance of discipline. For Invisalign to work, you’ve got to wear those aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. In other words, you’ll have pretty much no free time except for eating and brushing your teeth. Some folks, especially teens, might find it tough to stick to that level of commitment every single day. If the aligners are out more often than they’re in, the teeth won’t move the way they’re supposed to, and your treatment will take a lot longer than anticipated. Propel orthodontic technology enhances the tooth movement process by stimulating bone remodeling, allowing treatment to progress more efficiently under professional orthodontic supervision.
We want the good people of Lake Forest to know that Invisalign isn’t the best solution for everyone. While it’s great for small to moderate alignment issues, it’s not the best option for more serious problems, like a bad bite or a jaw that’s way off. That’s why we do a thorough evaluation before we suggest any treatment, because recommending Invisalign when what we really need is braces would just be a bad long-term decision for the patient.
Another thing to take into account is the weird feeling you may get when you move to a new set of aligners. A lot of people feel a bit of pressure and discomfort for the first couple of days after switching to the next tray. That’s just normal, it means the teeth are shifting, but you should know what to expect. Some people find out that this lingering pain is way worse than they thought it would be.
Invisalign requires you to adjust your eating and drinking habits, too. You’ve got to take the aligners out before every meal, which can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re someone who likes to snack or drink coffee all day. And while you’re wearing them, you’ll need to stick to water because anything else can stain the trays and leave your teeth vulnerable to bacteria.
We get this question a lot in our office: just what does Invisalign cost? The thing is, clear aligner treatment can sometimes be pricier than regular braces, it all depends on how complicated the case is and how long your treatment will take. Not all insurance policies cover Invisalign to the same extent as they do braces either.
Lastly, don’t forget about the retainer after treatment is finished. If you don’t use it regularly, your teeth will just naturally start to drift back to where they were, this isn’t just true for Invisalign, by the way. It’s something that sometimes catches people off guard.
At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we just want all our patients in Lake Forest to be ready and prepared when they come in for treatment. Knowing the downsides ahead of time doesn’t mean it’s not a good choice, for a lot of people, Invisalign still turns out to be the way to go. We just want you to have some reasonable expectations going in, and that way, everything should go a lot more smoothly. If you want to know if Invisalign is right for you, or if you’ve got any other questions, we’ll be here to chat with you.