If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign, you’re not the only one.
Like the name implies, Invisalign is a nearly invisible plastic aligner that realigns teeth by applying pressure and moving your teeth in the desired places. They can be used to correct crowding and spacing issues, as well as for mild to moderate bite issues.
While we can talk all day about what Invisalign is and does, for this article, let’s talk about what Invisalign isn’t and doesn’t do.
Myth 1: Invisalign is painful
There are some people out there who are scared of getting invisalign for one simple reason — they think it’s going to be painful for months on end.
But, in fact, any pain or discomfort you might feel when getting invisalign typically goes away after the first week of wearing them consistently. And any pain you do end up feeling in the beginning is usually mild. The pain you may feel with Invisalign is also generally less than you would feel with traditional braces.
Myth 2: Invisalign takes longer than braces
Another reason some people avoid getting Invisalign treatment is that they think that it takes significantly longer than traditional braces. In reality, metal braces typically require 20-24 months, while Invisalign treatment usually requires about 7 to 18 months. Of course, this timeline depends on the level of misalignment of your teeth, so it’s important to consult a dentist for an actual estimate.
Myth 3: Invisalign is highly unaffordable
The amount you pay for Invisalign depends on multiple factors, like the complexity of your treatment, your dentist, and how consistent you are with your treatment. Whatever you end up paying, if you have PPO dental insurance, your plan may cover between 25% to 50% of the total cost of treatment, making Invisalign far more affordable than you may have thought.
Myth 4: Invisalign is difficult to maintain
Like anything else, it’s important to take care of your Invisalign trays so they don’t get damaged or dirty, but they don’t require excessive maintenance. Here’s what we recommend doing to maintain your aligners:
- Clean your aligners with a toothbrush and lukewarm water every time you brush your teeth.
- Regularly soak them in an aligner cleaning solution if you start to notice buildup or every day preventatively.
- Take out your aligners when you eat or drink anything else but water.
- Brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque from getting stuck to your aligners.
- Always store your aligners in its case.
Myth 5: Mail-order aligners are just as effective as Invisalign
Some people opt for mail-order aligners because they’re a cheaper alternative to going to the dentist for Invisalign. The problem with this route is that you’re missing out on having a dentist oversee your treatment and make sure that everything is going according to plan or if adjustments need to be made. Mail order aligners are also typically behind on quality compared to Invisalign. Another drawback is that mail order aligners only support mild to moderate cases.
Myth 6: Invisalign is a cure-all for my smile issues
Well, this might not be a myth going around about Invisalign, but we just want to point out that Invisalign will not fix everything about your teeth. While Invisalign can be a treatment for a wide variety of conditions like an overbite, underbite, crossbite, gap teeth, open bite, crowded teeth, and just general teeth straightening, Invisalign won’t change the size or shape of your teeth. For a more comprehensive smile transformation, consult with a dentist to go over your options.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for Invisalign in Burbank, CA
If you’re considering Invisalign treatment and seeking exceptional care, come visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates. Dr. Ruiz is an influential educator, researcher, and cosmetic dentist who has even created his own smile design treatment that is used by dentists all around the world.
With an office located in Burbank and easily accessible to those in Studio City and Toluca Lake, our entire team is dedicated to providing top-notch dental treatment.
Check out our Google reviews and schedule an appointment with us today to get your answers to your Invisalign questions.
