Last month, we shared some reasons you should ask your dentist about Invisalign® if you're curious about the treatment and what it can do for you. We're big fans of Invisalign, and we've used it to create some amazing results both for adults and your teen patients. It's a good solution for a lot of folks, and there are many ways to make it affordable, whether it's checking your insurance benefits or financing it through programs like CareCredit.
In this blog post, we're going to answer four of the most frequently asked questions we get on Invisalign. If you're on the fence about it, we hope we answer one of yours below:
Does Invisalign hurt like braces?
The simple answer to this question is that Invisalign can cause some minor discomfort similar to braces. Both treatments are going to apply gentle pressure to the teeth in order to straighten them and move them into proper alignment. Whether this force is applied through the clear aligners of Invisalign or the wires and brackets of traditional braces, you may feel it as your teeth shift their position slightly. If you're feeling an extreme amount of pain from either, make sure you to contact your dentist or orthodontist and have them take a look.
Is Invisalign faster than braces?
In some more difficult cases, a dentist may recommend traditional braces over Invisalign. Invisalign tends to be used more frequently when there aren't complex orthodontic corrections, which may be the reason treatment times for Invisalign are shorter overall on average. Teeth, however, move at similar speeds whether the force is applied with clear aligners or traditional braces. Many adults and teens choose Invisalign over braces because they're more aesthetic and easier to clean, which also probably makes it seem like a shorter treatment time in many ways.
Does Invisalign cost more than braces?
As with a lot of dental costs, the easiest answer is: it depends. Patients who opt for Invisalign will typically pay some type of lab fee for Invisalign to create the custom-made aligners for their particular case. However, fewer appointments are usually required for alignment compared to traditional braces, which often makes Invisalign cheaper overall as a treatment.
How long does the Invisalign treatment take?
Compared to conventional braces, this is where Invisalign really excels as an orthodontic treatment. Although there are many factors that determine the length of treatment, the average Invisalign case for an adult takes about 12 months. The average for braces for adults is about 18 to 36 months. The choice for your orthodontic treatment should always be made with your dentist or orthodontist and with your specific conditions in mind, however.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope this blog post addresses some questions for those wanting to know more about Invisalign. If you enjoy our blog, please drop by and like our Facebook page to see when we publish new posts.