Invisalign® is one of the top best teeth aligners companies available where you can receive clear aligners from your local orthodontist or dentist. They strive to deliver the clearest aligners on the market and have been very popular since their introduction in 1997. Over time, they have continued to improve their aligners and other products and they are always producing advancements in teeth alignment technology. They have over 450 patents on various technological innovations. They have helped over 6 million people develop beautiful smiles through advanced 3D printing technology, comfortable aligners with increased predictability and control, and innovative designs to handle more alignment problems. Invisalign clear aligners help many patients fix crowded teeth, gaps in teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and even orthodontic treatments for baby teeth mixed with permanent teeth. So, the real question is whether they actually work or not. The answer is definitely yes in most situations. Let’s begin the Invisalign review!
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Invisalign aligners cost anywhere between *$3,000 and $8,000. Your amount will be determined based on your particular situation and the severity of your problem. The $3,000-$4,000 range is often applicable for minor repairs while $5,000-$6,000 is the most common cost for clear aligners. However, costs can be as high as $8,000 for severe alignment problems, so you can also find online Invisalign alternative treatments.
In case you find the treatment too expensive, it is good to know that there are some financing options available through your local dental office and you can also use your insurance or dental insurance to cover part of the treatment plan. If you can find more info about the factors affecting the price and the ways you can get a cheaper treatment, read our post Invisalign cost.
Invisalign Experience
Invisalign aligners provide high accuracy and preciseness when it comes to your aligner treatment. This is mostly because the treatment is monitored and handled by your local dental professional. It is managed the same way as braces, except Invisalign delivers cutting-edge accuracy through innovative technology and products. Their aligners are very clear and barely noticeable even when looking up close. In fact, the retainers hold the same benefits. In addition, the retainers are custom manufactured based on your teeth’s alignment after you have completed the aligner treatment plan. This ensures the best hold possible to keep that beautiful smile straight for life.
Pricing is definitely more than online aligner providers but delivers solid results. Even though online aligners can be safe and effective, Invisalign aligners are guaranteed to be safe and effective when used as directed. After all, your dental professional is behind you 100% and ensures you get accurate treatment through Invisalign’s digital technology and hundreds of patents.
Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than many aligner brands. They perform well and deliver reliable use through their innovative design. This company has been around since 1997 so they have years of technological advancements and experience. By choosing Invisalign aligners, you have peace of mind without the worries of poor results or partial results, even though other aligners can still deliver true results too. Invisalign simply reduces the chances of failure.
Duration
The duration of your Invisalign custom aligner treatment ranges from **12-18 months based on two-week wear times, but you may be required to wear them for one week although that is less common.
Just like Invisalign prices, the duration is also based on the type of treatment required and the severity of it, as well as other individualized needs. Your doctor will determine the treatment plan for you.
Availability
Invisalign aligners are available in the U.S. and many other countries. Visit www.invisalign.com for more details.
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Compare Invisalign to Other Clear Aligner Providers
| Invisalign® Clear Aligners | Damon™ Clear Braces | ClearCorrect™ Clear Aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aligner Price Range | *$3,000-$8,000 | *$3,500-$8,000 | *2,000-$7,000 |
| Payment Structure/Plans | Yes (different price packages based on quantity needed and your doctor) | Yes (different price packages based on quantity needed and your doctor) | Yes (different price packages based on quantity needed and your doctor) |
| Insurance Accepted | Yes (processed through dental office) | Yes (processed through dental office) | Yes (processed through dental office) |
| Other Payment Options | Yes (FSA and HSA) | Yes (FSA and HSA) | Yes (FSA and HSA) |
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign aligners are custom made to adjust your teeth in a gradual manner and they feature SmartTrack® material that offers improved comfort and easier on/off action and the new SmartForce Aligner Activation® that optimize tooth movements and further improve predictability A gentle but consistent force is applied to your teeth and is designed to reduce pain and swelling that is often found with online aligner brands. The typical wear time for each aligner is two weeks, but your situation may call for a different length of time like one day or three.
Your treatment plan will be individually based on your situation and can vary from **12-18 months. Results can be seen fairly quickly and the movement process will continue to adjust your teeth until treatment is complete.
They offer four types of treatment depending, as we have mentioned, on your situation but they work the same way:
- Invisalign Full: The most complete treatment for complex cases that need a certain number of aligners.
- Invisalign Teen: Treatment plan designed specially for teens as their mouths are still growing. It also provides some benefits like extra aligners.
- Invisalign Lite: A cheaper alternative for those simple cases that involve less alignment trays.
- Invisalign i7: In case you want rapid results; although it was designed only for issues involving just few teeth.
The advantage you have with Invisalign is that you have a local dental professional who monitors progress and is ready to make adjustments to your plan if necessary, whether that includes an adjustment to aligners or adjusted treatment duration. In order to offer Invisalign aligners, the doctor must be Invisalign certified and trained. You will need to visit your dental professional every 6-8 weeks for a progress check and to get your next batch of clear aligners.
'Aligner wear times will usually be one or two weeks per set.'
There will be some discomfort for a few days with every new aligner since your teeth are being moved to a new position. Your aligners need to be rinsed and gently brushed with your toothbrush every night to maintain cleanliness and healthiness. It will also help keep them looking their best. On a weekly basis (once a week at least), you’ll need to clean your aligners with the Invisalign cleaning system.
For young children, Invisalign offers the Invisalign First treatment program (part of Phase 1 orthodontics) which is designed to handle crowding and spacing issues in young children. Phase 1 is the period when some or all of the baby teeth are still in place but permanent teeth are not yet present. Phase 1 prevents future orthodontic problems.
After your aligner treatment is complete, your doctor will order retainers to keep your teeth in the new position. He’ll g over your options with you and your aligners will ship directly to the doctor.
How long does Invisalign Take? My Treatment Step-by-Step
Invisalign is a professional-grade aligner company that delivers top-notch aligners that are ultra-clear and comfortable to get you through your day. My treatment duration was just eight months because my teeth were crowded just a little bit and I just needed a touchup, but it typically ranges from **12-18 months. Here was my aligner treatment process.
I filled out the Invisalign Smile Assessment questionnaire to see if Invisalign aligners were right for me. It asked if I was a teen, parent, or adult. It also asked what problem I had and showed images as examples. It then asked if I have set up a consultation or want to set one up. They sent an email afterward to tell me that I was a candidate and to tell me the next steps.
I got my free consultation where the doctor discussed the process and the options for Invisalign aligners. We also scheduled an appointment for the aligner preparation, which included a review of my teeth and the necessary steps to getting Invisalign aligners.
At my appointment, the doctor completed a digital scan of my teeth, took some x-rays to ensure it will be safe to use the aligners, and took some photos as required by Invisalign to create my aligners. We also discussed what Invisalign will do for my smile. We scheduled another appointment to go over my aligner package after Align Technology, Inc. analyzes my case and prepares my aligner schedule.
Align Technology is the company that makes Invisalign aligners and the doctor sent all documentation and information to them following this preparation appointment. He said he will review the details the send back to ensure that the treatment plan will suit my needs. This means that he will review the 3D images and other information before approving the aligner treatment.
Since everything is digitally done, I got to see incremental, animated images of the future results of my teeth upon completion of the treatment plan. It basically showed me what my aligner treatment plan will do for me on a step-by-step basis. I can also watch the Invisalign® SmileView™ simulate my new smile as shown above. At this point, I decided to follow through with getting aligners by placing my order.
I reviewed the payment options with the doctor during the processing and ordering appointment and decided to complete the payment for my Invisalign aligner treatment. I used my HSA to cover a good amount of the costs, processed my dental insurance to see what they would cover, and established a payment plan for the remaining balance. The doctor placed my order for aligners and will call me when they arrive.
The doctor called and said that my custom Invisalign aligners were in. I arrived at the office and we went over the treatment instructions and he inspected the first set that he had me install over my teeth. He sent me on my way.
Every six weeks, you need to visit the dentist for a review and inspection of your alignment progress. If any issues are found, the doctor will develop a plan of action based on your particular situation. If everything looks good and is on track, you’ll schedule your next six-week checkup while in the office.
Upon completion of the final aligner treatment, the doctor reviewed the results and checked the condition of my teeth. All looked good. He gave me a pair of aligners and we discussed my aligner options. I could choose removable Vivera® clear retainers from Invisalign, fixed/permanent retainers that use wire across the back side of the teeth, or Hawley retainer s that have an acrylic arch plus metal wires that hold the teeth in place. He recommended the Vivera aligners based on my situation. Those retainers are made of the same material as the Invisalign retainers and carry the same clear characteristics.
Final Results: Invisalign Before and After
Since Invisalign has been around since 1997, they have a lot of experience and technological innovations that deliver well-fitted, flexible, and ultra-clear aligners and retainers. This leads to many satisfied patients. As previously mentioned, they’ve served over 6 million customers. Since the entire process is handled through your local Invisalign-certified dentist, you know that you’ll get good results.
Some customers may have completed the program and found that their teeth were not fully aligned. That’s perfectly normal if it does happen, although it is not as common. Invisalign gives your doctor up to three new aligner treatment plans that he can use if necessary to get your teeth where they need to be. It doesn’t cost a cent. That is another reason why many patients choose Invisalign and it is also why many parents choose Invisalign for their children.
In between treatments, you’ll be able to see your progress unfold just like the Invisalign patients shown. At the end of your treatment program, your teeth will look great just like the images above.
Invisalign Tips
For those that plan to get Invisalign aligners, it is important to financially prepare by checking your FSA or HSA account, seeing what your insurance will cover, and determining your payment options for the balance. Your payment options will vary based on your dental professional so be sure to discuss the options with him or her.
In addition to the financial costs of Invisalign aligners, you should clean them daily by rinsing them so that that they do not accumulate bacteria or stains as easily, which could harm the teeth and gums or affect the overall appearance.
Get Your Invisalign Teeth Aligner At Home
Invisalign requires every registered dentist to order the aligners through their online account. Therefore, all aligners ship to your doctor. Invisalign also ships your entire order at once, but that is always open to adjustments in your plan by your doctor. Some doctors may hold on to your aligners and release them as scheduled, but most give you the entire set at once. In the end, you do get your invisible teeth aligners at home but had to pick them up at your local dental office.
FAQ
Invisalign doesn’t technically widen your smile. It restructures the look of your smile to make it appear wider. Generally speaking, crowded teeth are the issue that reduces your smile’s width. As your teeth begin to spread out and realign, your smile will appear wider.
Yes, Invisalign can fix an overbite as long as it is not severe. It gradually moves the teeth until the desired look is achieved. It can take anywhere between 12 and 18 months.
It is possible that Invisalign can damage your teeth, although the risks are generally minimal in nature. It can occur in several ways but your dentist will check the health of your teeth before approving Invisalign aligners. One way that aligners can damage your teeth is root damage known as Root resorption (RR). This problem is caused when the root apex loses tooth structure permanently. Invisalign and any other type of aligner must impose a cellular response within the roots of your teeth so they can move. Otherwise, you’ll never get results. If you properly follow instructions and attend your regular checkups, the chances are minimal. Aside from root damage, poor maintenance can lead to tooth decay from bacteria and food. Once again, that problem can be prevented by following instructions correctly.
Invisalign can help fix TMJ, as long as it is based on an alignment problem that leads to grinding teeth. If your jawbone is the cause of TMJ, Invisalign will not help because it cannot alter your jawbone. In many cases, TMJ is caused by both problems and Invisalign can relieve symptoms by altering your teeth’s alignment.
Yes, Invisalign can fix gaps in your teeth, small or wide. It just takes longer to move the teeth for severe cases. Invisalign moves teeth at a rate of about 0.2 mm for each aligner.
Invisalign aligners can cause some pain, especially during the first few days with each new aligner. Once the aligner starts to shift the teeth, the discomfort begins to lessen. Each new retainer is adjusted to shift the teeth about 0.2 mm so the “push” in the beginning can lead to some degree of pain and discomfort. In addition, poor teeth and aligner maintenance can cause pain from bacteria accumulation and even decay of the tooth or root.
Yes, Invisalign aligners are very effective. They are backed by more than 20 years of technological innovations and research, as well as hundreds of patents. The only reason that Invisalign may not be effective is if you fail to follow the guidelines, suggestions, and instructions properly.
Invisalign aligners can get stains if you do not properly care for them by rinsing them daily and cleaning them weekly. It is also recommended that you take them out for eating stain-causing foods, as well as when drinking stain-causing liquids like fruit drinks, wine, or coffee. However, brushing the aligners gently with your toothbrush when you rinse them helps remove stains before they can settle in.
Your cost for Invisalign aligners depends on several factors, such as how many you will need and what other payment sources you may have like an HSA or FSA account. Your total costs without insurance can range from $3,000-$8,000. That does not take into consideration any funds you have in an FSA or HSA.
Yes, you can drink liquids while wearing Invisalign aligners. For drinks that cause heavy staining, it is recommended that you temporarily remove your aligners to help keep them looking their best.
If I could give Invisalign -20 stars then I would. This company dose not care about the customer. I think my dentist only gave me 1/2 of the aligners and now I’m still wearing them 24 hours a day TWO YEARS after I should only be wearing them at night. Because if I take them out and only use at night my teeth get super loose like they are going to FALL OUT!! I called the company and they said they couldn’t tell me how many they sent to the dentist because their LEGAL obligation is to the DENTIST and NOT the customer! DON’T USE!!!! THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU AT ALL AND WILL HIDE DENTIST MISTAKES AND COVER THEM UP FOR THEM!!!
More transparency would be appreciated if you could disclose statistics on how many teenagers go successfully through the 12-18 month system. Those statistics must exist in each orthodontist office and must be reported up to Invisalign. Our experience is that most teenagers don’t have the necessary self-discipline, hence the lack of wearing the aligners causes constant reminder discussions and family disputes.
I’m an Invisalign customer. Their product is good and worked for my needs, but the company’s website and customer service are absolutely worthless. I just need to get a new retainer, but after a month I still haven’t had any luck with them. I’d recommend going with a competitor who has better customer service.