One of the “downsides” that Invisalign shares with traditional braces is an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. While the risk is lower in Invisalign because the aligners are removable for excellent oral hygiene, the plastic barrier prevents saliva from reaching the teeth and gums. As an orthodontist, people always tell me about their friends who receive Invisalign, and often a general dentist does. Every time I hear such a story, I mention that I hope the person at least got an orthodontist's opinion before starting treatment.
And my question is often surprising: what is wrong with a dentist doing Invisalign? What can go wrong? Sometimes I take out my Invisalign for a few hours while eating and drinking and I hope my teeth don't change too much. Having gone through the Invisalign experience, I would never choose a dentist over an orthodontist, but of course, that's just my personal opinion. Like traditional braces, Invisalign can cause discomfort as your teeth move to their best position. It is possible that Invisalign will damage your teeth, so any candidate for Invisalign should be careful before starting treatment.
When properly cared for, your Invisalign aligners should always be fresh and clean, keeping your teeth healthy and your breath fresh. Other than over-the-counter pain relievers, there is no recommended treatment or remedy for this type of Invisalign pain. It is strongly recommended that you do not drink anything but water when you have your Invisalign, especially coffee, beer, and sugary drinks such as juice and wine. On the first day of my Invisalign treatment, my orthodontist's office told me that my projected schedule would be about six months, with the possibility of a six-month refinement that would take up to a year, at most.
While praise for Invisalign aligners varies from person to person, perhaps one of the most praised aspects among patients past and present is the rapid and effective results produced by Invisalign. My Invisalign provider uses a 3D digital imaging machine, which provides a very accurate picture of my teeth. By far the biggest (and most devastating) adjustment I've ever had to make with Invisalign is that I can't take a bite of anything anymore. Despite all the (sometimes very) annoying aspects related to my treatment with Invisalign, I don't think I would have made a different decision if I had known what I know now.
Invisalign captures a three-dimensional image of your teeth and creates a plan to subtly move each tooth over the course of treatment. I have a cup on the counter specifically for my Invisalign trays, along with an extra-large box of three-minute Polident cleaner.
