Orthodontic treatment can be expensive and time-consuming so you want to make sure that your money is well spent. Sure, Invisalign® is more comfortable and convenient than traditional braces, but will it offer a permanent fix to your dental issues?
Keep reading to get the definitive answer.
To be fair, no orthodontic treatment will offer a permanent fix. Both braces and Invisalign work by applying constant pressure on your teeth to change their position. But, once your teeth have reached their optimal position, they won't stay there forever.
Your jaw is still soft and malleable after orthodontic treatment, be it braces or Invisalign, and your teeth will slowly shift back into their old position.
To prevent this from happening, you will need to wear a retainer.
That said, Invisalign can offer permanent results IF you wear your retainer as instructed.
There's no evidence that Invisalign has a higher relapse rate than traditional braces. You can maintain your results regardless of the type of treatment used as long as you wear your retainer.
The issue isn't the type of treatment used but the severity of your misalignment or malocclusion. The risk of relapse is higher in more severe cases, but that has nothing to do with the treatment per se.
You need to understand two important things if you want permanent results with Invisalign (or traditional braces for that matter):
With both Invisalign and braces, you will need to wear a retainer for the rest of your life to maintain your results.
In the first few months, you will need to wear it 22 hours every day and only take it off when eating and brushing your teeth (just like the Invisalign aligners.)
After your teeth have settled in their new position, you can wear your retainer only at night for the first year. After that, your dentist may recommend wearing it about 3-4 nights a week indefinitely.
Poor oral hygiene can cause cavities and gum disease. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to tooth extraction, which can affect the results of your Invisalign treatment and require a new round.
The results of your Invisalign treatment will ultimately depend on you. That's why Dr. Leah Divito will give you an honest view of what you can expect with Invisalign. Yes, the aligners are transparent and more comfortable, but are you ready for the commitment they require?
If you want to see Dr. Leah Divito for an initial Invisalign consultation and to determine if this treatment is right for you, contact Luminous Dental today and schedule your appointment.
