Can Anyone Get Invisalign Braces?

One of the biggest reasons patient decide against Invisalign is not because it is more expensive than metal braces and certainly not because it seems like more of a hassle than metal brace. It is because they do not think they are a good candidate for the treatment. Only a consultation with Dr. Pale, Dr. Gemmi, or Dr. Middleberg will tell you whether or not you actually are a candidate for Invisalign. Do not let your preconceptions about Invisalign prevent you from investigating this type of treatment. If you are wondering if anyone can get Invisalign braces, here’s what you need to know.

1. Invisalign is much more versatile than it used to be.

In the past, Invisalign was only really for very minor cases. If a few teeth needed to be shifted in order to give a patient a perfect smile, Invisalign was a good alternative, but it could never replace metal braces when it came to very severe cases. Invisalign was only for acute problems. Unlike metal braces that were designed to treat both cosmetic and structural issues, Invisalign braces could only treat cosmetic problems. Now, Invisalign is much more advanced and can actually treat more severe issues. There are some areas where metal braces will still be better than Invisalign. The Invisalign system likely will not be as effective at widening your arch or fixing an overbite as metal braces are. That said, many of the tooth alignment issues that used to be out of the question when it came to Invisalign treatment, can now be treated by this system. This makes it possible for a much wider number of people to be able to get Invisalign than could have in the past.

2. Invisalign does require a great deal of patient commitment.

While braces also require the patient to be engaged in his own treatment, Invisalign is requires even more of its patients. If the patient is not committed to wearing their aligners for the prescribed number of hours every day, then they will not see the results that they want to see. Because Invisalign Braces or Invisalign Teen can be removed from the mouth, it is possible that patients could go days without wearing their aligners, setting back their treatment not just those number of days, but weeks and weeks, depending on how long the patient does not wear their aligners. Patients who do not feel like they can commit to wearing their aligners for at least twenty-two hours every day, while they are both awake and sleeping, are probably not good candidates for Invisalign. It requires the patient to take the time to keep track of the aligners, clean them, and wear them. When you have metal braces, you still have to clean them, but they are impossible to remove and therefore continue to work, even if you do not do your part as a patient.

3. Metal braces may be more efficient.

Efficiency might not be your primary concern, especially if the choice is between having a normal treatment with metal braces and a slightly longer treatment with invisible aligners. That said, metal braces will usually be faster than Invisalign. Why? Patient compliance is one concern. There is very little need for patient compliance when it comes to braces, but a great deal is required when it comes to Invisalign. The addition of wires that are heat-activated have made metal braces much more efficient than they used to be. Metal brackets and wires can put more pressure on the teeth and jaw than plastic sometimes can. That said, the difference between the time treatment takes with metal braces and the time it takes with plastic aligners may be as little as a few weeks or as great as a year, depending on the specific treatment, the needs of the patient, and the ability of that patient to comply with the instructions of their orthodontist. If you are concerned about getting your teeth as straight as possible as quickly as possible, you probably will want to talk to your orthodontist about how long each treatment would likely take.

4. Most insurance does cover Invisalign.

If your primary concern is the cost of Invisalign, you will be relieved to know that most dental plans now cover Invisalign. That said, they may not cover Invisalign entirely, there may be different rules and conditions when it comes to choosing this treatment that do not exist when you choose metal braces, etc. You’ll need to check with your orthodontist and with your insurance company before making any assumptions about whether or not your treatment will be covered. Offices like ours usually offer a payment plan so that even if you want Invisalign and your insurance does not cover it, it is still affordable.

5. You may simply not be a good candidate—you’ll have to ask an orthodontist.

The only way to really know if you are a good candidate for Invisalign is to have a consultation with Dr. Pale, Dr. Middleberg, or Dr. Gemmi.

Why?

Because only an Invisalign orthodontist can look at your teeth, assess your situation, and tell you what type of treatment they recommend. It is also important to talk to an orthodontist if you already know you want Invisalign, as they will be able to explain which issues will be fixed and which issues are likely to be neglected by this treatment.

For example, Invisalign can treat rotated teeth, but it will not be able to help line up your top and bottom jaws, if they are seriously misaligned. This is something that can only be done with metal braces and elastics. If you don’t care about this, however, Invisalign might still be a good option for you.

Contact us today for a Free Invisalign Consultation to learn if Invisalign is right for you.