What Invisalign is made of....

[Jex]

When considering braces v. Invisalign, I wrote to the company to find out if Invisalign uses plasticizers and what material they are made of. Dioxins and other chemicals are released from materials like PVC, etc. and have been shown to cause endometriosis, other fertility problems, and other general health problems, so I was very concerned. The company told me I had to ask my ortho...the MANUFACTURER told me I had to ask my ortho?????

So, I wrote back to them and said, "no, you are the manufacturer and I want to know from you." They eventually told me that they do not use plasticizers, but I asked 3 times if they used PVC at all. They answered the email, but refused specifically to answer the question. I wrote back and said that I will just assume that since they refuse to answer that I will assume that they do contain PVC. They did not respond.

So, I am just putting that out there. I don't want to cause a fuss. I personally couldn't put that material in contact with a mucous membrane for that long, but that's me. I also realize I am probably in big trouble when it comes time for me to get my retainer! LOL (and, no, I don't want to know what chemicals are in the bracket glue either!)

[AnneC]

Jex - I posted what Invisalign's MSDS reveal here ( most of it may not mean a hill of beans, so here's the most important parts) :

viewtopic.php?p=258743#258743

And a post from a "Mothering" forum regarding the BPA "nonissue" that Align Tech responded to - scroll down to post #3:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/sh ... p?t=885822

They are pressure formed polymeric sheets, of course approved as a medical device by the FDA & Health Canada (amongst others). Here's a synopsis of a study done on "Structural conformation and leaching from in vitro aged and retrieved Invisalign appliances":

http://tinyurl.com/45vlkn

And a detailed overview from Align Tech with just about everything you'd ever want to know about the company & it's concept - probably more:

http://sec.edgar-online.com/2006/03/01/ ... ction2.asp

Hope you find all that helpful - you will rarely get any info straight from Align Tech. They will direct you to your clinician who will in turn direct your questions to their Invisalign Rep. It's very frustrating. I know...
AnneC

http://www.smilingwideopen.blogspot.com/