Does Invisalign really work? This treatment is often marketed as a more convenient alternative to braces, but some patients are concerned about its effectiveness. Invisalign® may sound too good to be true — patients do not have to worry about avoiding certain foods that may become stuck in traditional braces.
Like traditional braces, Invisalign® is designed to correct crooked teeth, crowded teeth and gaps. Instead of periodically having wires tightened like with braces, Invisalign® patients are given a series of near-invisible aligners. Each successive set of aligners is designed to push the patient's teeth closer to their ideal alignment.
One of the advantages of Invisalign® is that it can be taken out when a patient needs to eat or brush their teeth. However, this advantage can quickly become a disadvantage when patients are non-compliant. Most dental professionals advise their patients that they need to wear their Invisalign® trays as close to 23 hours per day as possible.
Because it is easy to remove Invisalign® at any point, some patients go for several hours without wearing their aligners. Even in this relatively short period, it is possible to lose progress. Each time a patient goes without aligners, teeth can shift back to where they were before treatment. When done frequently, this can result in Invisalign® treatment not working.
Invisalign® can be used to correct almost every issue that traditional braces can. However, for certain severe issues, a patient's dentist may recommend alternative treatment. For patients with the following issues, Invisalign® may not be effective:
Before prescribing Invisalign® or a similar orthodontic treatment, a dental professional will thoroughly examine a patient's teeth to see whether Invisalign® is the right option.
When used correctly, Invisalign® will not cause tooth problems. Patients do need to be very careful to brush their teeth before putting aligners back in. Because aligners fit very tightly to the teeth, they stop saliva from reaching the teeth's surface. Without saliva, food particles cannot be efficiently broken down, and plaque, cavities and other dental issues may occur.
In order to avoid potential problems, Invisalign® patients should make sure they brush and floss their teeth after eating and before placing the aligners. The prescribing provider will usually go over optimal dental hygiene with a patient before fitting them with their first set of aligners.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Services in San Francisco, CA.
Patients who have been wondering, "Does Invisalign® really work?" may be relieved to know that with careful compliance and good dental hygiene, the answer is almost always yes. For patients interested in Invisalign® for achieving a better smile, it is a good idea to reach out to a dental professional to make an appointment.
Request an appointment or call Gregory Zabek Advanced General & Cosmetic Dentistry at 415-362-1102 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Cracked Tooth | Dr. Gregory Zabek A cracked tooth may seem like no big deal—especially if there’s no pain. But here’s the truth: even a painless crack can lead to serious dental issues if left untreated. At Gregory Zabek Advanced General & Cosmetic Dentistry in San Francisco, we’ve seen firsthand…
Understanding Bruxism | Dr. Gregory Zabek Do you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or sensitive teeth? You might be grinding your teeth at night—without even realizing it. This condition, known as bruxism, affects millions of people and can lead to serious dental issues if left untreated. Here’s what you need to know about bruxism…
Veneers vs. Dental Bonding | Dr. Gregory Zabek Want to enhance your smile but not sure whether to choose veneers or dental bonding? You're not alone. At Gregory Zabek Advanced General & Cosmetic Dentistry, we help patients throughout San Francisco make the right choice for their smile goals, budget, and lifestyle. Both veneers and bonding…