nvisalign remains one of the most popular orthodontic treatments around. Discreet, easy-to-use, and suitable for adults and teens alike, there are plenty of benefits to enjoy.
But this doesn’t mean they’re completely immune from criticism. Some patients have problems with Invisalign, which can make sticking to a treatment plan more challenging.
For instance, some dislike the number of attachments required, some bristle at the thought of wearing the aligners for 22 hours a day, and others can’t get past the disruption to their lifestyle.
Yet if you start your treatment with realistic expectations and manage your daily routine carefully, you can overcome these problems and enjoy straighter, healthier teeth. Let’s explore in more detail.
Some common Invisalign problems + how to deal with them:
1. Mild Tooth Discomfort
For the majority of people, Invisalign is a largely comfortable, pain-free way of achieving straighter teeth. But some people can experience mild tooth discomfort, especially at the beginning of a treatment plan.
This can make it tempting to ditch the aligners and abandon any attempt at teeth straightening altogether — but that would be rash!
Instead, if you’re one of the unlucky ones who notices a feeling of “pressure” as your teeth move into the desired position, you should flag this with your orthodontist ASAP. They can then advise on the best way to relieve the pain as your teeth adjust to your Invisalign aligners.
2. Lots of Attachments
One of the major selling points of Invisalign is the fact that the aligner trays are made of clear plastic. This makes them a subtle and discreet alternative to traditional metal braces.
That being said, depending on the severity of your misalignment, you may require attachments to help move your teeth more effectively. These attachments are typically enamel ridges stuck to your teeth, similar to the brackets used with traditional braces.
Unfortunately, these attachments are also more noticeable and can make Invisalign appear like standard braces from afar.
However, if you’re truly set on having straighter teeth, and you have a choice between metal braces and Invisalign, the clear aligners will always come out on top in the comfort and attractiveness stakes. Worth keeping in mind if the attachments have you thinking twice!
3. 22 Hours a Day, Everyday
To achieve your desired results, Invisalign requires a huge amount of self-discipline. You need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day. Anything less and your risk jeopardising the final result.
That means you’re severely limited to when you can take them out. Essentially, eating and cleaning your teeth/aligners are the only opportunities for a break.
And yet, when you compare this to the fact that traditional braces require you to wear them 24/7, and that bits of food can become lodged in the brackets, suddenly, Invisalign’s 22 hours doesn’t seem too bad.
4. Disruption to Daily Life
Finally, some people find Invisalign aligners to be prohibitive and awkward. You have to remove them to eat, which makes dinner dates tricky. And you need to brush your teeth after every meal, which means no trip to a restaurant is complete without your travel toothbrush.
Then there’s the fact that certain beverages can warp and stain the plastic, such as tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and red wine. So, for the duration of your treatment, you’ll be ordering water (at least you’ll be well-hydrated!)
To that end, you might be tempted by certain online aligners which, on the face of it, offer more flexibility. However, the disruption you experience with Invisalign is a by-product of its effectiveness. Online aligners simply can’t compete with Invisalign’s results, and so, if you’re after straighter teeth, there’s only one winner.
In summary: Go into your treatment with an open mind
Yes, Invisalign is discreet. Yes, Invisalign is comfortable. Yes, you do get to take them out to eat and brush your teeth. But that doesn’t mean it’s a magical teeth-straightening solution. It requires discipline, sacrifice and hard work to achieve your desired results, and that takes time.
Make sure you discuss your treatment plan in detail with your specialist orthodontist to understand the benefits, time frames, and responsibilities involved. If you set realistic expectations from the start, you’ll enjoy straighter teeth at the end — no problem!
