A few questions for those with Invisalign

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#1 Post by **beth1966** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:10 pm

I have a few questions for those with Ivisalign - - I apologize if these have been asked before. But I looked and could not find any answers.

Why did you choose these? Was it mostly for the 'esthetic' appearance, even though it seems a lot of people feel they are a pain in the next to have to keep up with cleaing.
If it is for esthetic reasons, why would you go with these vs. clear/ceramic braces?

Did you feel price-wise it was worth it to pay more for them because they are less noticeable? (I've been told they are pricier then conventional braces.)

Were you told that Invisalign would be faster, same time or slower then traditional braces?

Any idea who is not a candidate for Invisalign? I have been told I am a candidate, and been told I am definitely not because they are not 'strong' enough for the correction I require.

The one ortho who told me I was a candidate was someone I saw a year ago - my teeth/bite has gotten worse since then I think but not much worse. Another traditional dentist (not an ortho) told me I was a candidate in March and a third traditional dentist I saw from March to August for my TMJ said I was NOT, that I required stronger/traditional braces.

Regardless I am seeing the ortho I will definitely be using for the first time tonight and I am so curious to see if he even recommends Invisalign. I know already that I would prefer traditional/clear braces.

Thanks!

#2 Post by **arch712** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:07 am

beth1966 wrote: Why did you choose these? Was it mostly for the 'esthetic' appearance, even though it seems a lot of people feel they are a pain in the next to have to keep up with cleaing.
If it is for esthetic reasons, why would you go with these vs. clear/ceramic braces?

I chose Invisalign because you can hardly tell that you're wearing them. You have to brush your teeth after you eat for both anyways. Invisalign is easier because you can remove them to clean. Also you can eat what ever you want.

beth1966 wrote: Did you feel price-wise it was worth it to pay more for them because they are less noticeable? (I've been told they are pricier then conventional braces.)

I feel it's worth the price. Honestly I don't think it's too much more than traditional braces

beth1966 wrote: Were you told that Invisalign would be faster, same time or slower then traditional braces?

I looked into braces years ago before invisalign was around. For my case it would have taken around 2 years. With INvisalign my treatment is 11 months. Maybe a few more if I need refinements at the end

beth1966 wrote: Any idea who is not a candidate for Invisalign? I have been told I am a candidate, and been told I am definitely not because they are not 'strong' enough for the correction I require.

It depends on the experience of your Ortho. One of the ladies that works at my Orthos office came up from an office in FL. She told me most of the cases that were denied in FL are excepted in my Orthos office. My Dr. just receive his Elite status so he very experienced. Here is my Clincheck so you can compare your case.

http://www.dentistry.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/001344.html

#3 Post by **sandra** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:58 am

One bonus with invisalign is that you don't have to go to the ortho every week or so, they give you several sets at a time. I usually go 6 weeks without going in, but it's been longer when I was on vacation-but my treatment continued because they gave me extra sets.

I will say that my aligners are highly visible and definitely effect my speech. Obviously they aren't as visible as the regular braces, but I can take them out if I need too. Now the "buttons" or things that the aligners hold on too are a pain. I have 17 of them (one on a top front tooth) but Ithink that is really high.

#4 Post by **sandra** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:41 pm

Meryaten wrote:
One bonus with invisalign is that you don't have to go to the ortho every week or so, they give you several sets at a time. I usually go 6 weeks without going in, but it's been longer when I was on vacation-but my treatment continued because they gave me extra sets.
Please pardon me for noting - I am sure you weren't trying to imply that this is an advanatge of Invisalign over regular braces, but rather that even though aligners are changed (typically) every couple of weeks, most patients go several sets between seeing their doc. Obviously most of us in fixed braces also have appointment frequencies in the 6 weeks + range.

I am sorry if I spoke out of turn!!!
I vaguely remember when I had braces in the 80's that I went every other week. Maybe I was wrong or maybe it has changed.
So...never mind. Thanks for the correction!

#5 Post by **sneakers321** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:54 am

I chose Invisalign specifically for estethic reasons. I have wanted my teeth fixed since they started looking bad at age 13 (I am now 29). I have dealt with bad teeth for so long, and want to see improvements as fast as possible. I know that with braces, even halfway through treatment when your teeth are looking very straight (compared to what you've been used to), you still have to wear them for sometimes months afterwards to finish correcting your bite. I knew that part would be the hardest for me and would frustrate me to no end. This way, with Invisalign, I will be happy with how they look well before treatment is done and carrying out the rest of the 'sentence' will be much more tolerable. So it isn't so much with how other people see me (braces would look better than my teeth have the past 16 years), but how I see my teeth myself.

I think my treatment may be longer than if I had went with traditional braces (I haven't received my trays yet so I'm not sure just how long I have them), and in regards to price, while I'm sure this costs more than traditional braces, I don't know how much more. I was given an estimate of $4000-$5000 for total treatment, with $4000 being closer to the 'metal mouth' venue and $5000 being the Invisalign amount. Once I have finished paying the $5000 (which will be before treatment ends) we will re-visit the cost and determine whether I need to continue making payments, or if they owe me a refund. We weren't quite sure how my teeth would respond to whatever was thrown at them so we went with a general estimate which I am happy with.

Good luck on your adventure!

#6 Post by **HeyTeach** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:18 pm

I was hoping for invisalign because I thought they would be more comfortable, less trouble, easier to clean my teeth, etc. My lowers were not candidates, but my uppers were. So I chose a mixed mode...self ligating metal on the lower arch and invisalign uppers. My hygenist said it would be good. Many of my students have essix retainers which are similar and they like them as they are no show.

Well, I'm two days into my upper trays and my initial feeling is I wish I had gone all metal. It's still early so I may change my mind, but:

Invisalign is not more comfortable, just differently uncomfortable. That suction is pretty annoying, and getting the trays out is not easy, although it may well get easier as the teeth align. But there are sharp edges and plenty of ways to irritate your tongue and lips

Not being able to have a cup of coffee or a sugarless mint or chew some gum has really bothered me. As it is my tray is out probably 2 1/2 or so hours for meals, hygiene, etc. If I were to add two midday cups of coffee plus brushing, I'd be out of optimal compliance.

They are not really no show, and in fluorescent light in my classroom they take on a greenish sheen.

My lower brackets and wire have not been a problem. Even now with a power chain, my lower teeth feel open and breathing where the uppers are covered by plastic.

I have had no trouble cleaning the lowers. Super floss gets anywhere. Obviously cleaning the uppers is no problem if you can pry the sucker from heck tray from your teeth while leaving them still in place. (it may get easier)

So that's my view now but I'll post again in a week and say if I still feel this way.

#7 Post by **Lilypad** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:50 am

Interesting to hear a point of view from someone who has both!

#8 Post by **michelle88** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:59 pm

I had a metal brace a lot of years ago (as a child) and if i compare these to invisalign, I would prefer Invisalign.

It is not irritating my tongue as much as the metal things and its very to get them out (can not believe why so many people here write it is hard to get them out)? As I started with Invisalign my dentist showed my one time and I can take both of them out in 30 seconds, thats really easy. Maybe it is because I only have 2 attatchements, I dont know, but it is not hard.

And I really enjoy eating without metal in my mouth.

I prefer Invisalign much more.

Michelle

#9 Post by **HeyTeach** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:05 am

Monday update:

the feeling is getting more natural. The taking out is not a long process, but it isn't "easy"

My main issue is one of convenience: I had a cup of tea last night (!/2 hour with the tray out) add that to the morning 35 min for breakfast, the lunch hour and dinner hour and one is at 21 hours approx . WHat about a dinner party or event anyware for 3 to 4 hours out. Or cooking at home say a winter stew tasting every so often. what constitues eating what is going to stain or cause sugar or acid build up. I just don't find it as convenient as a quick swish and rinse and maybe a brush of my brackets.

and that I can't chew gum or suck on a mint.

However, if it works, fine

but I will not go this route for retention.

#10 Post by **diehard** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:43 am

i bet u will, they will feel like a part of u after many many months of wearing them

#11 Post by **diehard** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:44 am

i bet u will, they will feel like a part of u after many many months of wearing them

#12 Post by **Dawna** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:32 am

I did an interview about my invisalign, it's on this site

www.antibraces.com

The site is biased towards invisalign though, which is kinda funny because now I've ended up in traditional braces despite REALLY not wanting them (aesthetic reasons). So, I can tell you that some of invisalign's weaknesses are: moving molars forwards (backward is no prob), preventing teeth from 'tipping' into extraction sites, and derotating in some cases.

My teeth are quite nice now, but had issues with the three things I've mentioned above. So, I'm in Sapphire braces for approx 3 months to finish it all off.

#13 Post by **dill** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:17 am

I went with them for the aesthetics mostly. Other advantages are that they are really easy to clean and you can brush and floss your teeth as normal. The price difference was for brackets about AU$4000-$5000, compared to $6500 for Invisalign. I had a lisp for about 2 weeks which has mostly gone away now (14 months into treatment). Despite being told they wouldn't irritate my mouth, I have had quite a few ulcers and a permanent ridge of irritation on my inner cheek between the occlusal surfaces. I started off with 13 buttons (got it wrong in my earlier post) but now have 15. The more buttons you have the harder it is to get off the trays, although it does get easier with time. I suspect the treatment would have been much quicker and I would have had better results with traditional braces (see my other post).

#14 Post by **minik** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:26 am

I had braces as a kid. This was probably about 13 years ago. I didnâ€™t wear the retainer enough and my teeth shifted. When I decided to have this fixed, I was willing to have ceramic braces, at least on the bottom where the main problem is, but I was concerned about them sticking to my teeth. When I had braces before, I had the full strap up- metal bands around every tooth because the bonding material wouldnâ€™t hold the brackets on my teeth. Probably due to the decalcification of my enamel. Anyway, I figured Invisalign wouldnâ€™t cause as much enamel damage, and I wouldnâ€™t have to worry about them sticking.

I am paying $4300 total, 6 upper, 18 lower. I donâ€™t think I would have went for the upper braces without Invisalign, so traditional braces might have been cheaper, but I donâ€™t think by much. For me it will be worth it if it works.

I think I remembered treatment time would be about the same. Maybe a little slower with Invisalign. My consultation was a while back, but thatâ€™s what I remember.

I was told that they are best for crowding and spacing type cases, and have a more limited impact on underbites, overbites, or crossbites. If your bite is good, youâ€™re probably a better candidate for invisalign, I would say.

Good luck, I hope all goes well for you in treatment!

#15 Post by **Dawna** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:09 am

What my ortho has told me is that invisalign is NOT good at: moving molars forward, or bringing them up, and also not good at derotating, depending on the specifics of the rotation. Hope that helps.

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A few questions for those with Invisalign

A few questions for those with Invisalign

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a few questions for those with Invisalign