When is Invisalign not enough?
Invisalign can't reshape your teeth, so if you have a few teeth that are very small or misshapen, it may not be possible to get Invisalign treatment. These improperly-shaped teeth can mess up the alignment of your aligners. However, you may be able to have these teeth treated with a dental crown or dental bonding.
Patients who have dental implants, bridges or TMJ disorder may not be the best candidates for Invisalign. If your teeth are on the smaller side or they're misshapen or eroded, Invisalign may not be practical.
Invisalign trays completely cover your teeth, making them look slightly thicker, due to which some people experience a slight change of speech, which is temporary. Most of the patients find it difficult to pronounce words with the sound of 's,' 'sh,' 'z' or 'th'.
If you're approaching your final set of aligners, and you're unhappy about the position of your teeth, there's no need to worry. Sometimes, to get the best results, we need to take new scans for additional aligners. This is known as the 'refinement stage', and it's usually included in the cost of your treatment.
Invisalign is a simple and pain-free way to get straighter teeth. Most adults finish Invisalign treatment and have straight smiles in as little as 12-18 months. In some cases, noticeable results begin appearing just a few weeks after starting the Invisalign process.
An example is when the crooked teeth need to be rotated severely to be straightened. Invisalign can only straighten teeth that have rotated up to 20 degrees. If your teeth are further rotated, you will need traditional braces to apply the appropriate rotational force.
Invisalign clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment option for busy adults and teens, but they're not suitable for everyone. Factors like the severity of your case, your age, and your commitment to the process all play a role in your dentist determining if Invisalign is right for you.
The dentist will know if you don't wear your aligners as often – other than slow changes in your teeth realignment, there is another way to tell that you have not been consistent with your teeth aligners. They have a mark on them that should wear off with frequent usage.
One way that Invisalign can lead to gum recession is if the aligners are not properly fitted. The aligners can cause the gums to recede if they are too tight or apply too much pressure to the teeth and gums.
Will I Still Be Able to Kiss? Though it can seem like a touchy topic, there's no need to worry about kissing while you're using Invisalign. The aligners are barely noticeable in your mouth, so there's a good chance your partner won't notice a thing.
What is the most difficult tooth movement with aligners?
[9] report a mean accuracy of movements obtained with F22® clear aligners of 73.6% being the rotation of the mandibular canines the least predictable movement, while the most predictable movements are the mesiodistal tipping of the upper molars and lower premolars.
Yes, it does get easier to take out Invisalign trays. As your teeth start to settle in the new trays and become more accustomed to the movement, it'll automatically become easier to take out your aligners. Everything new takes practice to get good at.

Up until 30 days after the date of purchase, you may return any product that you purchased on this website for a full refund of the purchase price. To request a refund, you will need to provide your order number and (if requested by Align) proof of purchase.
There is a possibility for Invisalign to not heed accurate or desired results. If not planned properly, Invisalign will not move the teeth properly. Patients can sometimes end up with undesired results such as protrusive teeth, asymmetric teeth or teeth that haven't fully straightened.
The simple answer is: “It depends.” For simple cases, treatment time with Invisalign aligners can be as short as six months. Typically, Invisalign will take 12 months to 18 months to straighten your teeth. For more complex cases such as crowded teeth, the treatment time could be 24 months or slightly longer.
Why Does The 22-Hour Rule Matter? If there is a cardinal rule for Invisalign, it's this: your trays must be worn 20 – 22 hours a day for them to be effective. The trays slowly and gradually shift your teeth into place, so if you aren't wearing them, they obviously cannot do their job!
In short, you'll have to wear your retainers for the rest of your life after finishing Invisalign treatment. It might sound inconvenient, but it's well worth the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, straight, healthy smile for life!
The simplest explanation for why teeth get crooked again after orthodontic treatment is because your teeth haven't become fully fixed in their new positions yet. Orthodontic treatment involves moving your teeth into proper alignment, and as a part of this, they cause your body to remodel bone around your teeth.
Invisalign's effectiveness is rarely called into question. Yet occasionally, your Invisalign aligner treatment doesn't give you the quick teeth straightening results you want. If this happens, getting in touch with your cosmetic dentist is crucial.
The complexity of a patient's misalignment will determine the treatment their dentist or orthodontist recommends. Invisalign is best for mild to moderate crookedness, crowding, or gaps. Braces are better for more severe cases of all of these, as well as overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
How quickly do teeth move with Invisalign?
On average, it takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months for your teeth to move into the correct position with Invisalign. Most people start noticing some movement, however, within the first two months after getting their first set of aligner trays. Again, these are averages. Your own case might be different.
Invisalign clear aligners aren't mounted to your teeth, unlike braces, so you won't have to worry about embarrassing stains or discoloration of your teeth. Invisalign aligners are custom-fit to your smile and made out of a durable, flexible, and comfortable material - you'll hardly even know you're wearing them!
Discomfort and Mouth Aches
Both Invisalign and traditional metal braces use the same basic principle to straighten teeth – constant pressure to gradually move them into the desire positions. Although they go about this in different ways, the result is the same. Unfortunately, so is the discomfort involved.
Your orthodontist will shave off a small amount of enamel, depending on your treatment plan. It is usually a fraction of a millimeter. So, the gaps left after the shaving will hardly be noticeable. The purpose of shaving is to ensure that your teeth look aesthetically pleasing once they move into their positions.
After Invisalign treatment, an orthodontist can complete minor reshaping, but if it's more involved, find an advanced cosmetic dentist. It's unlikely that your general dentist has enough experience to reshape your teeth precisely. At times, cosmetic dentists use composite bonding to finish the case.
Yes, you can decline attachments. Your Invisalign treatment will still work, it just may take longer and be slightly less effective. If you are interested in Invisalign treatment without attachments, ask your orthodontist if this will work for your specific condition and how long your treatment might take.
Your orthodontist may recommend treatment with braces or Invisalign to reduce the appearance of black triangles. The treatment consists of applying direct pressure to specific teeth to encourage movement towards a proper alignment. Shifting the teeth into alignment can effectively eliminate black triangles.
Because teeth are covered by plastic aligners nearly 24-hours a day, there is a lack of oxygenation and saliva to support tooth structure. If, then, acidic ingredients sit on teeth that are covered, there is a higher risk that enamel will weaken over time.
– Gentle brushing technique to avoid putting excess pressure on the gums. Additionally, you can use dental wax to help protect the gums from recession during Invisalign treatment. Apply the wax over the edges of the aligners where they come into contact with the gums.
Since the aligners are changed weekly, it's unlikely that grinding will damage them. The aligners also protect tooth enamel from grinding forces. The plastic of the Invisalign mouthpiece absorbs the pressure that's created when a person grinds their teeth to prevent grinding from harming the tooth surfaces themselves.
How do you enjoy a night out with Invisalign?
- #1: Slip Them Out. ...
- #2: Take the Hard Case. ...
- #3: Keep to Clear Drinks. ...
- #4: Have Water on Hand. ...
- #5: Bring a Portable Brush.
While it may be extremely tempting to ditch the aligners for a first date, it is not recommended. Even the rare occasion of taking aligners out more than you should delays your treatment time. There is nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to Invisalign.
Typically, the lateral incisors or the teeth next to your front teeth are the most challenging to move with Invisalign aligners and traditional braces.
Disadvantages of Clear Aligner Treatment
The aligners must be worn for at least 20-22 hours daily to be effective. This can be challenging for busy adults who may need more time or patience to keep them in place. The aligners are less effective at correcting more severe orthodontic issues than traditional braces.
However, most people get used to the feeling over time, so discomfort should lessen with each new set of Invisalign trays. Because the pressure and feeling of the Invisalign aligners are new at the start of treatment, the first few Invisalign trays tend to be the most uncomfortable for our Orland Park patients.
Your orthodontist or Invisalign provider will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how many aligners you will need once they have had a chance to assess your individual case. However, in general, most people can expect to use around 20-30 aligners over the course of their treatment.
Technically, you can remove your Invisalign as many times as you want in a day, provided you keep them in for around 20-22 hours daily. However, dentists recommend you remove your aligners as little as possible, only for activities such as eating meals and brushing your teeth.
Generally speaking, Invisalign is understood to be the fastest braces treatment. This is because Invisalign is typically used for treating minor cases, meaning only 20-30 sets of aligners are required over 6-8 months (roughly).
Tooth shape: Too-short or pegged teeth can prevent Invisalign from working properly. Tooth position: If your teeth are too rotated, Invisalign cannot shift them into proper alignment. Large gaps: Even though Invisalign can fix small gaps between the teeth, large gaps may require braces.
Patients who have dental implants, bridges or TMJ disorder may not be the best candidates for Invisalign. If your teeth are on the smaller side or they're misshapen or eroded, Invisalign may not be practical.
What is too severe for Invisalign?
Generally, Invisalign is not recommended for gaps that are larger than 6mm. This is a very large gap, and it's actually quite rare for most people to have a gap that's this severe. If present, it usually only affects the front teeth.
In general, the success rate of Invisalign is quite high. The overall success rate of Invisalign is around 96%. This means that 96% of patients who complete treatment with Invisalign achieve their desired results and are completely satisfied with the treatment.
It is best to determine that your Invisalign tray is working correctly. However, if you notice a gap or your Invisalign tray moves while talking, it indicates an ill-fitted Invisalign tray, and you should visit your dentist to get it fixed as soon as possible.
It's pretty common for a new set of Invisalign trays to feel very tight. In some cases, it may even seem like they can't fit over your teeth. If you've just switched to a new set of trays and they're not fitting onto your teeth, you can use Invisalign “Chewies” to seat them properly.
Tooth shape: Too-short or pegged teeth can prevent Invisalign from working properly. Tooth position: If your teeth are too rotated, Invisalign cannot shift them into proper alignment. Large gaps: Even though Invisalign can fix small gaps between the teeth, large gaps may require braces.
What Happens If I Wear Them Less Than 22 Hours? Extended Treatment Time. By wearing your aligners less than 22 hours a day, you are applying less force to your teeth, moving them more slowly than planned. Stagnation or Regression.
Is it possible for me to change my aligners slightly earlier? After 7-10 days, some people discover that their trays are regularly loose. It's acceptable to replace them sooner in some instances. However, you should only do so with your dentist or orthodontist's permission and supervision.
The overall success rate of Invisalign is around 96%. This means that 96% of patients who complete treatment with Invisalign achieve their desired results and are completely satisfied with the treatment.
You should always expect at least 2-3 refinements. This means you may have 3 or more sets of aligners. For example, you may have 39 aligners on your first set that get you close to your result. On your second set you may have 26.
Teeth tracking involves checking that the invisible trays align with the teeth. Symptoms of poor tracking include loose teeth, a gap in the tray between your teeth, and a lack of fitting teeth in the tray.
Does Invisalign not work for everyone?
Invisalign clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment option for busy adults and teens, but they're not suitable for everyone. Factors like the severity of your case, your age, and your commitment to the process all play a role in your dentist determining if Invisalign is right for you.
Being responsible about using the aligners increases your chances that your teeth should become straighter per your treatment plan and perhaps even finish quicker than first expected.
The general rule is that you can leave your Invisalign out for up to 8 hours at a time. If you're going to be out for longer than that, it's best to check with your dentist first. You should not leave your aligners out overnight or while sleeping.
This is why Invisalign recommends that the trays are worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. The trays are designed with the assumption that patients will comply with this rule. Failure to follow this rule can result in complications, discomfort, or even timeline treatment delays.
Ideally, you shouldn't ever skip wearing your trays on any days. If you skip one day, it may not affect the outcome of your treatment too much. However, the bigger issue is that it can become easy to skip more than just an occasional day. When you skip trays too often, it can alter your treatment plan.