One of the great orthodontic innovations was the introduction of clear aligner therapy. Invisalign, the first clear aligner therapy product, meant that teeth could be moved without braces!
Is this technology as effective as traditional braces? And is every person a candidate?
Here are some questions to ask when deciding if Clear Aligner Therapy, such as Invisalign, Clarity, Spark, and others, is right for you.
Will your tooth, jaw, or bite correction be achievable in a reasonable time with clear aligners?
Not every tooth movement or bite correction is created equal! Closing space is different than correcting crowding. Some people have front teeth that don’t overlap at all, which is called an open bite. Others have top teeth that completely cover the bottom teeth, which is called a deep bite.
Each person has a different situation that must be carefully diagnosed to determine how feasible it is to complete orthodontic treatment with aligners in a reasonable timeframe. Check with your orthodontist to make sure the movement you need can be treated properly and efficiently.
How “invisible” will they really be?
Many people want clear aligners because they are “invisible.” Although they may be much more discreet than traditional braces, your specific case may require attachments, which are tooth-colored bumps on the teeth, or other features such as buttons or rubber bands that are more visible than you may have anticipated.
Be sure to ask your orthodontist to show you what they look like, so you don’t have any surprises!
And perhaps the most important question…
Am I the type of person who will wear aligners on my teeth for 22 hours every single day until my teeth are perfect?
Some amazing things can be done with clear aligners, but the trays only work if they are on the teeth. In most cases, anything short of 22 hours a day will result in increased treatment time and/or suboptimal results.
Are you the type of person who will wear them all day, every day, no matter what, for as long as it takes? If the answer is “yes,” then clear aligners might be great for you.
Or are you the type of person who might get burned out, stop being as consistent, and settle on a result that’s “good enough” because you’ve had enough of wearing and keeping track of trays all the time?
Being 100% honest with yourself is so important before starting your journey, so the result you hoped for in the beginning doesn’t slip away if you find it hard to stay committed to wearing the aligners.
Clear aligners have opened the door to orthodontics for those for whom traditional braces may not be an option. They are perfect for some people and less than ideal for others. I hope considering these questions will help you feel confident in whichever direction you go with your orthodontic treatment.
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