Invisalign has changed orthodontic care for the better and helped many people get beautiful smiles. But it’s not for everyone or every case. We want to give our patients in Parkland honest, unbiased information so they can make smart decisions about their orthodontic treatment. During consultations at Marrecau Orthodontics, we discuss the pros and cons of clear aligner therapy. Knowing what can go wrong with this treatment will help you decide if it’s right for you, your lifestyle and your expectations.
One of the biggest problems with Invisalign is that it only works if you follow the rules. To work well, you have to wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. If you have trouble with that level of discipline or tend to forget things, your treatment may take longer or not work as well. Clear aligners are different from traditional fixed appliances because you can take them off, which means you have to wear them all the time. We’ve seen cases where patients who didn’t follow the rules had to stay in treatment longer or didn’t get the best results they could have.
The fact that the aligners can be taken off is helpful in many ways but it can also be a pain for some people. You have to take them out before you eat or drink anything other than water, which means you’ll need to carry a case with you and find somewhere to put them during meals. Some patients find this routine boring, especially when they go out to eat or to social gatherings. If you’re not diligent about keeping track of your aligners, you could lose them. If you lose or damage your aligners, you have to get new ones which may cause delays and extra costs. Not all orthodontic problems can be fixed with Invisalign. Traditional approaches may work better for complex cases with extreme crowding, big bite differences or specific tooth movements. When using clear aligners alone it’s especially hard to make big rotations of rounded teeth, shift them up and down and close extraction spaces. We’ll talk to you about your specific orthodontic problems during your consultation and see if they are something that Invisalign can help with. Some patients come to us wanting clear aligners but we have to tell them that their case needs a different approach for the best results.
Discomfort is another thing to consider but it’s not the same as what you would feel with regular appliances. There are no sharp wires or brackets in clear aligners that can hurt your lips and cheeks but they can hurt and feel tight when you move to a new pair. This pressure means the aligners are working but it can be uncomfortable for a few days. Some people also notice that their speech changes a little bit when they first start using aligners. For example they may have a lisp. Most people get used to it in a week or two although the first few days can be tough.
Depending on your situation the cost of Invisalign may be the same as or even more than traditional solutions. Most insurance companies will pay for clear aligner therapy the same way they would for other orthodontic procedures. However some plans have restrictions or don’t cover it at all. Even with payment plans the investment can seem big for families on a tight budget. We do our best to keep treatment costs low but money is still a big worry for many of the people we see.
Taking care of the aligners requires work and adds steps to your daily routine. To keep them from getting stained and smelling bad you need to clean them often. Each time you take them off you should brush them lightly and rinse them. You also have to brush your teeth before putting the aligners back in after every meal which can be a hassle when you’re not at home. If you don’t keep your aligners clean they can get discolored and more noticeable or you could get cavities while you’re wearing them. Some people in Parkland find that their lifestyle makes it harder than they thought to wear aligners all the time. People who snack all day find it annoying to have to take out and put back in their aligners all the time. People who drink coffee, tea or other drinks every day also have to take their aligners off often or risk staining them. These changes to your lifestyle are doable but may be tough for some people.
Invisalign may not be as easy or successful for some dental problems. If you have dental work like bridges or some kinds of implants the aligners may not fit right or move your teeth the way they need to. Before orthodontic treatment can even begin you need to take care of serious gum disease or bone loss. We look at all of these things during your first exam to see if you are a good candidate.
When clear aligners aren’t enough to fix a problem we talk about other options including traditional braces that may give us more control over complex tooth movements and work better for some orthodontic problems.
At Marrecau Orthodontics we never pressure patients to choose one treatment over another without first considering all the factors. If we think Invisalign isn’t the best choice for you we’ll tell you why and suggest other options that will work better for you. Our top priority is always getting great results that boost your confidence and dental health.
Even with these problems many patients say Invisalign works great for them and that the pros are bigger than the cons. The most important thing is to know what you’re getting into and be honest about whether this method works for your personality, lifestyle and orthodontic needs. We invite you to schedule a consultation if you’re thinking about clear aligner therapy and want honest advice on whether or not it’s right for you. Call us today to talk about your options and get personalized advice based on your situation.
Dr. Tomas Marrecau, DMD is a skilled orthodontist serving the Parkland and Coral Springs communities. A Princeton graduate and former Division I tennis player, he earned his dental degree from Tufts School of Dental Medicine, where he promoted oral health in local schools. He completed his orthodontic residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Marrecau is known for his personalized approach, helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles with treatment plans tailored to their needs. Outside the office, he enjoys tennis, golf, travel, and time with his family.