Why did you get regular braces instead of Invisalign?

[CeliacMom]

I asked my dentist about Invisalign and she told me they wouldn't work for me and that they cost as much as regular braces.

Now that I have spent money on a night guard that I never wear, I know I wouldn't be disciplined enough for Invisalign.

[DrJasonKTam]

It is very interesting to read this thread, as it is a very directed question.

To ask "what can Invisalign correct" is the wrong question. The question should be "can my orthodontist use Invisalign to correct my malocclusion". While it will not be admitted, many of the "limitations" of Invisalign are related to the doctor and their experience, not the appliance. Therefore, being a suitable "case" for Invisalign may differ between doctors.

The reputation of Invisalign not working came about because of doctors who were unable to use the appliance properly. Align Tech knows there is a problem and thus, has implemented its proficiency program. Hopefully, for the benefit of the potential patient population, this will mean that future certified doctors have at least a base level of proficiency with Invisalign in terms of treatment and patient motivation.

[OuchMyAppendix]

1 and 2. General consensus seemed to be "eh, they don't work as well as braces, they're expensive, and won't work with you anyhow."

[Meemoo]

When I got my treatment plan from my orthodontist, they said that I could use invisalign but I'd have to be in normal braces for a few months afterwards anyway, so I didn't really see the point, especially with the additional cost.

Originally I hated the thought of "real" braces but now I'm getting kind of excited about being able to change lig colours etc and the metal ones will give me a much better result overall.

[sadpanda]

I'm #4. I just like metal braces better. I like how they look and I'm pretty sure Invisalign wouldn't work for my case.

[Amazing Grace]

#4 for me. I was really afraid I wouldn't be disciplined enough to keep the trays in. I think I made the right decision as there are so many times I've thought if I could take these braces off for awhile I would. I also work for a Physician who had them and had to have metal braces put on the bottom arch anyway she advised me against them. Also covering your teeth for that many hours is not natural, I believe that there must be a benefit to having salvia in your mouth and teeth, although I've never researched my theory.

[alimommy1]

When I got braces the first time, I don't think invisalign was currently being used all over - I found some of my old info and I started treatment in 95. I also do not feel I would have been a candidate for it, I had so many different issues it would have taken more than 3 years, if it worked at all.

I think for me it is a personal preference because I don't mind the visibility. I preferred a hawley retainer over a clear one, and I've had 2 replacements. I'm looking at an inman - which is removable, but not clear like invisalign. I think to me that is the best of both worlds - fast movement yet you don't have the problems with eating and brushing and flossing around everything.

I have never had one of my friends or any normal person ask me 'why don't you get invisalign' but I have had several DENTISTS and ORTHOS ask me that! In several consults, they have either recommended I have regular braces again - which would take 2 years (I don't understand this at all, as my issue is a bite issue and not really a tooth alignment issue) or that I use invisalign. Invisalign is not only more expensive even than ceramics, I still get the same quoted 2 years lol. When I finally found a dentist/ortho that uses inman, he told me it would be more like 10 weeks and he thinks we can get excellent results. It's also about a quarter of the cost I have been quoted for invisalign.

I think if invisalign was less expensive than traditional fixed braces, maybe I wouldn't feel the way I do about it. I also don't like the idea of having my teeth covered with something like a mouthguard. I drink things during the day, and I've never been told I cannot drink with a retainer in, but I see that it's not a good idea to drink anything with invisalign in, or at least people who have used it say that.

[sisi]

I really really wanted to get Invisalign. Actually, it was reading an article about Invisalign in a magazine which motivated me to go to an ortho in the first place.

I had two consultations and both orthos said Invisalign might work but that it would definitely take longer and the results were not guaranteed (due to my crossbite). The cost was the same.

My ortho said that when she uses fixed appliances she is in control of the tiny movements of my teeth but when the patient uses trays she has far less control.

After much soul-searching I decided to follow my ortho's recommendation and I have a combination of metal and self-ligating ceramics.

So, my answer is #2 I guess.

[farmboy]

No. 4 for me, also.

I had several consultations, and I couldn't believe the number of doctors who pushed me toward doing Invisalign while at the same time admitting it wouldn't completely fix my bite issues.

That being the case, I opted for standard metal braces, which I'm told yield the best result. The metal braces more easily allow the orthodontist to make changes in the middle of treatment.

A secondary consideration was elastics. Whether I went with Invisalign or not, I knew they would be part of my treatment. A friend of mine wore elastics almost constantly with her Invisalign trays. It was very odd to me to see elastics in her mouth seemingly attached to nothing.

[hal2me]

I am number 2. The orthodontist said that I could have metal on the bottom and Invisilign on the top, but my bite would not be 100% corrected. I figured if I am going to spend $6000.00 on braces, my teeth better be perfect!

[bluegirl]

#2 - I wanted Invisalign but was told by two different orthos that I'd have to get braces eventually (last 6-8 months) in order to fix my crossbite.

I figured there was no sense in going through both so I went with braces.

I really hate 'em but hopefully it'll all be worth it!!

[TumbleDryLow]

I was told that b/c I had major upper and lower crowding, a crossbite, an overbite, and needed extractions, that I was not a candidate.

[Wireless]

I'm the other side of the coin. I started out expecting to have regular braces as everything I had read noted Invisalign would not work for my deep overbite. My orthodontist never mentioned Invisalign until he found a resorbed tooth root from a previous treatment and was concerned regular braces would be more risky.

Initially I was told like many on this thread that I would probably need regular braces at the end of treatment. It doesn't look like this is going to happen - everything is going well although taking longer than planned.

The biggest issue is having about 2 years of dealing with the "Invisalign Lifestyle".

[Leyfy]

My orthodontist told me my overjet was too big to correct with invisalign

As I play cornet/trumpet a lot I really wanted Invisalign rather than than fixed braces, but I was told it was fixed or nothing.

My overjet was 10mm before treatment started.

[afpilot313]

I had my heart set on invisalign. I'm sure almost all adults considering treatment go in wanting invisalign...

But the doc said it would take at least twice as long as braces and the result wouldn't be as good. 6-8 mo in braces v. 2 yrs in invisalign. I also had doubts about how well my self-discipline would hold up.

I decided that quick and dirty was probably better than a drawn out invisalign treatment.

...so, 7: length of treatment and lesser results.