Help! Invisalign or Six (6) month Smiles

[quicksilver]

First, please let me preface this by saying I looked for previous posts but couldn't find any on this specific issue (if I missed something, I'm sorry).

I spent over a year researching invisaligns and a few months for 6 month smiles.

I qualify for both and found dentists that will do both at the same price

I thought I came to a decision this week, but I'm still on the fence.

Can anyone give me feedback on what they think is more practical.

By the way, here are some factors specific to me:

- I do drink a lot of coffee and diet soda, so I imagine that's quite an adjustment for invisaligns.

- I have a very slight underbite that invisalign can manage, though the 6 month smile dentist told me she can accommodate that too.

- I do have a sensitive gag reflex though I'm told that invisalign only has the affect on impressions and not the trays.

- I'll do what's required, but to be honest, I'd prefer the less high-maintenance of the two if effectiveness is equal.

That's about it. I'd be grateful for any advice.

Thanks!

[chattabob]

I would like to hijack this thread and ask the same question please?

[quicksilver]

the more the merrier!

Just hope we can get some advice soon!

[dojo]

OK, had Invisalign for almost a year. They worked partially. You don't 'feel' them too much on your teeth, so I presume the gag reflex won't be an issue. My problem with them was they were too 'weak' for what my teeth needed doing. . This autumn, when I get back home, I plan on resuming my treatment. Will be with 'normal' braces (Damon in my case). Invisalign is OK since they don't show as regular braces, but they didn't work fully in my case.

So, if you have a more complex case and it's the same price, I'd go with braces.
PS: as for your current habits, when you're braced or in Invisalign, you'll learn to leave some of them behind.
As for 'maintenance' braces are easier, since you just wear them. It's true you need to be VERY careful with your hygiene and brushing with braces is a chore, but Invisalign requires even more discipline. Anyway, have a heart to heart with your doctor and see what your ortho can really recommend. Any of these can work

[quicksilver]

Thanks DoJo.

I realize some of my habits well end out of necessity.

I guess I kinda know myself and if I have a choice, would prefer the path of least resistance for my crazy schedule over something that's more high-maintenance.

So I'm leaning to 6-month smiles over invisaligns.

Any other thoughts from anyone?

[chattabob]

I was thinking 6 month smile aswell and the only reason I was considering invisalign was that Tracy Bell dentists said they did not rate and did not do 6 months smile. She said the cost were the same (which I dont think they are really from sites I've looked on)

So I understand invisalign but still dont completely understand 6 month smile fully apart from it may take longer than 6 months. Do they both achieve the same results?

I know invisalign you get a video showing you what will happen over time.

I tnink I need a consultation with a dentist that does both otherwise the person I see will push their own product

[chattabob]

Quicksilver:

Have you done a pro's anc cons list? anything else other than what you have mentioned that is pushing you towrds 6 month smile?

I think I'm also holding back aswell as I know recently (and I missed it) that groupon had half prive 6 month smile offers and invisalign

[quicksilver]

Hi Chattabob,

I haven't done a formal list, but I have considered the pros/cons that matter to me.

Time is an issue. I'd rather be done in 6-8 months.

Then there is the regular taking out the tray whenever I eat or drink.

1.5-2 years of regular tray removal and cleaning whenever I need to eat drink - or being done in 6-8 months with less work.

I'm leaning to 6 month smiles for those reasons.

[chattabob]

[quote="quicksilver"]Hi Chattabob,

I haven't done a formal list, but I have considered the pros/cons that matter to me.

Time is an issue. I'd rather be done in 6-8 months.

Then there is the regular taking out the tray whenever I eat or drink.

1.5-2 years of regular tray removal and cleaning whenever I need to eat drink - or being done in 6-8 months with less work.

I'm leaning to 6 month smiles for those reasons.[/quote]

Ah Ok.. my issue is timing aswell... When I saw the consultant she said it could take up to nine months for invisalign to work but could be less once they had done xrays and other things to know how quickly my teeth will move. 6 month smile I'm guessing is going to be 6 to 9 months which is not much of a difference once I've adjusted to them and hopefully forget Im wearing them.

Do you have to take them out for drinking aswell?

[dojo]

One thing to consider: NEVER rely on a timeframe given at the start of your treatment. No one care surely guesstimate when you're done with the treatment, even a very experienced orthodontist can be wrong. So don't rely on having the teeth done in 6 months or 8. It can either take exactly this time or a little more, depending on YOUR teeth and how they react. I just want you to not have hopes that might not come true

Invisalign is OK since you can really control the treatment, but you need to wear it a lot, and be VERY disciplined. With regular braces you just need to live 'around' them, since they're stuck on your teeth anyway

[Robin8]

...So I understand invisalign but still dont completely understand 6 month smile fully apart from it may take longer than 6 months. Do they both achieve the same results?

...I'd prefer the less high-maintenance of the two if effectiveness is equal... 1.5-2 years of regular tray removal and cleaning whenever I need to eat drink - or being done in 6-8 months with less work....

6-month smile is fixed braces; it uses brackets and wires. It takes less time because it focuses on straightening only the front 6 upper and lower teeth and does not fix bites. It’s cheaper because the treatment is usually done by general dentists instead of certified orthodontists who have several years of specialized training in orthodontics.

In very general terms, orthodontic treatment is about applying pressure to move teeth into desired positions. Braces and aligners are the orthodontic tools/techniques used to apply the pressure. Regardless of which type or brand is used, your teeth still have to go through the same biological/physiological principles and “speed” to be moved safely. There is no orthodontic appliance that can do 1.5-2 years of corrections in 6-8 months.

The “effectiveness” or “results” of an orthodontic appliance depends largely on the doctor’s skills and experience in using it and in planning and monitoring your treatment. It’s the doctor who gives you the results you want; and different doctor will give you different results. So research the doctors – ask questions about their orthodontic experience, how many cases they have completed (not started) using the specific appliance, have they treated cases similar to yours, ask to see their patients’ before/after pictures or talk to their patients about their treatments, etc.

If you have bite issues, you should consult with at least one certified orthodontist (not general dentist) to get a complete diagnosis so you can make an informed decision about the scope of required treatment and the implication of doing partial treatment. Some orthos offer free consultations.

[DrJasonKTam]

Well put Robin8. 6 month smiles is a sales tactic just like Invisalign Express. Neither of these products moves teeth any faster than any other orthodontic process. Teeth move through a biologic process and movement that occurs too quickly can result in problems with the teeth and bone later.

It may sound overly simple, but 6 month smiles can correct teeth problems that would take 6 months to correct. Invisalign can also complete treatment in 6 months if the problems are ones that can be corrected in 6 months.

6 month smiles is targeted at general dentists who don't necessarily understand orthodontics and at the general public who want to decrease the cost barrier, and time barrier for treatment. An impression is taken, and sent to a lab where the brackets are placed for them on a model with a tray created. The tray can then transfer the brackets to the teeth and wires placed. Unlike Invisalign, where the doctor controls the treatment, with 6 month smiles, the doctor does not have input on how the teeth will look after the treatment.

[chattabob]

I think I will try and see a consultant this week to see what their thoughts are on which they think I should go for... it didnt bother me at the start that I would have to take the retainers out to eat and drink but now I've thought about it and pretended I have them in already lol I think it could become a chore.

I think my main concern overall would be how long the process took 6 months smile vs visalign and would the results be identical i.e the best possible result. If they both took the same time and the same results then I would feel more confident choosing one over the other.. one day I lean to 6 month smile and the next its invisalign so I think I will have to go in.

How much are people paying for 6 months smile and invisalign?

[chattabob]

Well... I decided to visit a Liverpool dentist today who does invisalign and 6 month smile. I had all my questions prepared but was told by the receptionist that she would push fast braces?? Because it was cheaper and faster. So this is how it whent...

Invisalign she said she would not do as it would not work for me as my K9 needs bringing down and in too much. She also thinks this will take 2 years

6 month smile: she could do but said it was cosmetic and I would achieve 80% of what fast braces would and would also not move the root?? This would also take 8-9 months

Fast braces was pushed the most as this would move the root aswell?? I really do not want this option as they look exactly the same as normal braces. 6 months for results. She is going to call me next week as apparently they are releasing a new version of this thats the same colour as your teeth.


I was also told last week at another consultation that invisalign would pull my teeth down and into place but this has been contradicted by the latest consultant who says she has done hundreds of corrections after invisalign has not worked??