Does Invisalign Work?

In addition to making people feel self-conscious about their smile, crooked teeth can cause a whole host of dental health problems.

From interfering with proper chewing and making teeth cleaning more of a challenge to straining the teeth, jaws and muscles of the mouth, the teeth won’t be able to perform vital functions if they’re misaligned.

While there are other options out there for straightening out crooked teeth, one would be hard-pressed to find an approach that offers the same level of comfort, convenience and confidence as Invisalign.

This popular method of moving teeth, developed and patented by a U.S. company over 10 years ago, has become increasingly popular in the past decade – especially for wire-shy adults.

Rather than the traditional metal braces – an image that brings many back to their teen years – you can wear Invisalign without anyone noticing you’re straightening your teeth.

Simply pop in a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, until your treatment is complete. You’ll achieve a great smile with little interference in your daily life.

Sound too good to be true? The truth is while Invisalign does work, it’s not for everybody. Here’s the lowdown on the tooth-aligning science that’s turned Invisalign into one of the world’s most popular dental treatments.

Computer Generated Images

Before you are given your aligners, we use a computer- generated image from a set of your teeth models. Using the computer, it then simulates the tooth movements required to straighten your teeth. These models are created at various stages of movement to fabricate clear plastic aligners.

The Invisible Aligners

The custom-made series of aligners are created for you and only you. These 1-2 mm thick plastic shells are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. From a distance, and even relatively close, they are almost invisible, hence the name. These aligners place pressure on your teeth similarly to traditional braces and slowly tips, rotates or moves your teeth.

Wearing Invisalign will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements your dentist or orthodontist plans out for you.

There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. The aligners can be removed for eating and tooth brushing.  In most cases, a set of aligners are worn for two weeks and then the next set of aligners are worn to continue with the tooth movement.

Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

That’s an excellent question! Whether you’re a teen or adult, anyone with a set of permanent teeth who suffers from mild to moderate tooth crowding is potentially a good candidate for Invisalign.

Note: For severe crowding, jaw-size discrepancies, severe arch shape discrepancies or teeth that require bodily movement, Invisalign will not work well.

What are the Advantages of Invisalign?

While the results may appear the same—a confident, beautiful smile—when you stop and actually compare Invisalign to other teeth-straightening options, the advantages become quite apparent.

The most obvious difference is the esthetic  appeal – no wires or brackets. And forget the embarrassment of having food stuck in your braces. Your aligners can be removed for eating, brushing and flossing.

Also, because Invisalign consists of smooth, comfortable plastic instead of sharp metal, you’ll spare your cheeks and gums any painful irritation.

What are the Disadvantages?

While Invisalign can straighten teeth, there are limitations. They are best used when the teeth mainly need tipping or slight rotation. In cases where the crowding is severe and teeth need to be removed to make space, Invisalign cannot bodily move the adjacent teeth into the empty space. In other situations, there may be a discrepancy in jaw size or a severe narrowness of the jaw. In these cases, Invisalign will either not work or have limited results.

What are the Costs of Invisalign in Vancouver?

Over the years, Invisalign has had a reputation of being more costly than traditional braces. However, it’s probably more affordable than you think. In fact, costs are about the same as the metal variety, but that cost varies considerably depending on the complexity and length of time for each individual case. Today, here in Vancouver, the average cost for traditional braces ranges between $8,000 -$10,000 over a two-to-three-year treatment plan.

Invisalign is around the same, however, for in our office, we charge between $7,000 and $8,000 at the time of writing this blog post.

Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment just as they would other orthodontic treatments. Check with your insurance provider to see how much coverage you’re eligible for.

Consider Invisalign

Choosing Invisalign clear aligners is an important decision, so we suggest taking the time to book a consultation. Why wait to have the smile you’ve always dreamed of?

No matter what stage you’re at in life, you’ll appreciate how Invisalign will have a minimal interference in how you live, but have a significant positive impact on how you look and feel about yourself. Choose Invisalign in Burnaby today.