Ever wish you could magically get straighter teeth overnight?
Invisalign Express might be the closest you could come to making that happen.
The Invisalign brand is one of the best teeth aligners on the market today and almost certainly the most popular.
But how does the Express treatment plan stack up in comparison with the original? And can it really get you straighter teeth in record time?
What is Invisalign Express?
Like the original Invisalign clear aligner treatment, Invisalign Express is a series of custom-fitted clear aligners that will gradually straighten your teeth.
In fact, there isn’t much about the Express treatment that differentiates it from the regular Invisalign. It’s essentially just an abbreviated version of Invisalign, and because it’s shorter, the treatment is completed faster. However, it’s important to understand that you can’t simply choose between regular Invisalign and Invisalign Express.
Although the Express treatment plan has some perks, it isn’t right for everyone. You may need the regular Invisalign or braces, depending on your teeth alignment needs. Your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist can help you determine which treatment is best for you.
What makes the treatment shorter?
There isn’t anything special about Invisalign Express that makes it work better than the original; it’s simply faster because there’s less total treatment time involved. And the treatment time is due to the fact that Invisalign Express treats only very mild cases of misaligned teeth.
Are there specific treatment qualifications for Invisalign Express?
You do have to meet a brief set of criteria in order to qualify for the Invisalign Express treatment plan.
Age is an important factor. Express may not be ideal for kids because their smiles are still developing. They need long-term orthodontic monitoring to help their jaws and teeth grow in correctly. Wearing Invisalign for less than six months may not be enough for most kids to have straight teeth as an adult. On the other hand, it’s impossible to be too old for Invisalign Express. There is no age cut-off to get braces or clear aligners, and many people in their 50s and even 60s have gotten beautifully balanced smiles with the help of orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign Express is often an ideal treatment choice for adults who once had braces but have experienced orthodontic relapse.
Even if you’ve never worn braces, you could still benefit from Invisalign Express, as long as your case is a mild one. The Express treatment won’t correct major teeth alignment issues, and it works best for front teeth.
Here are some of the things Invisalign Express can help correct:
- 2 millimeters or less of spacing between teeth in one arch
- 2 millimeters or less of crowding among teeth in one arch
- 2 millimeters or less of midline correction
Invisalign Express can only slightly correct teeth that are twisted or rotated out of proper alignment, and it cannot make a significant change in your overall bite. But exactly how much Invisalign Express can accomplish on your smile depends on your Invisalign provider’s experience. Your dentist or orthodontist will evaluate your bite and let you know whether or not your teeth qualify.
Differences between Invisalign and Invisalign Express
Both Invisalign and Invisalign Express are made by the same company, use the same type of aligners, follow the same treatment process, and can be offered by the same dentist or orthodontist.
But what makes Invisalign Express different from regular Invisalign treatment?
Take a look at the comparison chart below to get an idea.
| Invisalign Express | Invisalign | |
|---|---|---|
| Total treatment time | 6 months or less | 1 year or longer |
| Number of aligner sets | 10 or fewer | 20 to 30 |
| Checkup interval | Once every 4 to 6 weeks | Once every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Treatable cases | Mild cases of tooth crowding or spacing, particularly in front teeth; touch-ups after orthodontic relapse and minor tooth movement before getting cosmetic dental work as veneers done | Mild to moderate cases of tooth alignment issues |
When compared with the original Invisalign, Express is simply a shorter treatment package to correct smaller issues.
Invisalign Express Pros and Cons
PROS
- Fast. If you just need to close a tiny gap between teeth, Invisalign Express will get the job done for you in record time. Most mild cases take only three to six months.
- Easy. Straightening your teeth doesn’t get any simpler than just popping in a set of aligners.<
- Comfortable. Invisalign Express aligners don’t have the sharp metal bits that regular braces have.
- Discreet. No one has to know that you’re straightening your teeth if you have clear aligners in.
- Affordable. Express treatment costs about half of what traditional Invisalign treatment costs. Plus, it’s often at least partly covered by dental insurance benefits.
Here are the downsides to Invisalign Express that you should know before starting treatment.
CONS
- More expensive. Although Invisalign Express is cheaper than the original treatment, there are yet even more affordable treatment options out there.
- Limited efficacy. Shorter orthodontic treatment time means that you can only correct your tooth alignment to a limited extent. Complex misalignment problems or twisted or tipped back teeth don’t qualify for Invisalign Express.
- Results are not instant. Invisalign Express will get you results quickly, but not overnight. If you want an instant transformation, you may want to consider masking your smile imperfections with veneers or dental bonding instead of straightening your teeth with aligners. Even in very mild cases, moving teeth takes time.
As you can see, there aren’t any major downsides to getting Invisalign Express. It all comes down to what kind of results you’re after and what you need to achieve them. Invisalign Express is an excellent treatment choice if you want to straighten out a few crooked front teeth and don’t mind waiting a few months for that to happen.
Invisalign Express Cost
How much is Invisalign Express?
That’s going to depend on your provider. Dentists and orthodontists purchase the materials for treating patients with Invisalign, but they have to markup the cost in order to cover their operating expenses. Those expenses vary from practice to practice.
This means that the cost you are quoted for Invisalign Express will likewise vary from practice to practice.
This doesn’t mean that dentists set their prices arbitrarily. Instead, the cost of clear aligner treatment will depend on where the dentist or orthodontist is located and what it costs them to provide the treatment.
On average, Invisalign Express costs a little over half of the average cost of Invisalign. Your total cost of Invisalign Express treatment could be anywhere from around $2,000 to over $4,500.
Invisalign Express Reviews
Most people who have tried Invisalign Express have left great reviews. Because this treatment is perfect for small and predictable cases, a successful outcome is practically guaranteed.
Clear aligners make it easy and convenient to straighten your teeth because you can take the aligners out for meals and cleaning, something you can’t do with regular braces.
Some doctors and patients, however, report that Invisalign Express doesn’t deliver satisfactory results. This is most likely because some Invisalign providers tried to accomplish too much in a short amount of time and the fast Express treatment just wasn’t enough to move the teeth.
This isn’t a matter of Invisalign Express not being effective enough; it’s merely a matter of correctly anticipating how long it will take for teeth to move, and that’s hard to do. Skilled and experienced Invisalign providers are best at determining which cases are most likely to respond well to a short treatment like Invisalign Express.
Invisalign Express Results
Overall, Invisalign Express is a very safe and effective way to get a straighter smile. It’s the same thing as regular Invisalign treatment, but on a shorter timescale and works best for cases of only mild orthodontic involvement.
Even still, the results can be stunning. Just closing up one small gap between two front teeth can absolutely transform a smile.
Many people who try the Express treatment are simply pleased to recover their lost progress when their teeth relapsed after braces.
Invisalign Express: Before and After
A quick Internet search is all it takes to find an Invisalign review loaded with before and after shots.
Invisalign Express won’t yield quite dramatic results, but the treatment can still make a big difference in your appearance by making your smile look more balanced.
Remember to snap some before and after pictures of your own smile if you decide to try Invisalign Express! You’ll be amazed at the difference you see in the end.
Invisalign express results will vary from person to person. Still, as long as you go into your treatment with realistic expectations and an experienced provider, then you will love how your new smile looks.
Contact an Invisalign doctor near you to learn about your eligibility for Invisalign Express.
Have you already tried Invisalign Express? We want to hear about your experience! Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
