Is Everyone a Candidate for Invisalign®?

 

If you’ve been researching how to straighten your teeth, you’ve probably heard of Invisalign. You’ve seen some amazing results, and you’re probably wondering – is everyone a candidate for Invisalign?

The short answer is most likely YES!

Straighten teeth without metal and wires

Orthodontic technology has come a long way in recent years. With the advent of clear braces, it’s easier than ever to straighten your smile without the hassle of traditional metal braces.

It’s no surprise that Invisalign is popular. It’s well-loved as one of the most comfortable, convenient, and discreet orthodontic solutions.

Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligner trays that fit over your teeth. Over time, these aligners gently reposition your teeth into the desired location.

This modern approach can achieve many of the same results as traditional metal braces, including correcting:

  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Gaps in teeth
  • Overcrowding
  • Crooked teeth
  • Crossbites

Here’s the hard truth though:

Not ALL patients are candidates for Invisalign.

Invisalign is an excellent solution for mild to moderate cases. If you have more complicated alignment issues that require significant adjustments, traditional braces will likely be more practical.

For example, when a patient has an extreme overbite or underbite, crooked teeth are often a symptom, but not the root of the problem. The jaw bone itself needs to be physically shifted. Unfortunately, Invisalign can’t correct deeper bone issues.

The good news is many people fall into the first category, making Invisalign the perfect solution.

In addition to the complexity of oral issues, there are a few other factors to consider.

1. Patient compliance
One of the major benefits of Invisalign is that unlike traditional braces, they are removable (like a retainer. This means they have minimal impact on your everyday life – you can take them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

The downside of this is many patients struggle to wear their aligners consistently, extending the treatment time, and making it less effective. Invisalign aligners need to be worn a minimum of 22 hours a day to be successful.

When deciding if Invisalign is right for you, it is important to consider how dedicated you can be to your treatment. If you don’t wear your aligners long enough each day, they simply won’t work.

2. Age
Invisalign is great for older teens and adults. Younger teenagers and children often aren’t great candidates for Invisalign because their teeth are still growing.

Younger people also tend to have the most difficultly with treatment compliance. If orthodontics are needed at a young age, traditional braces are often a better solution for this reason.

3. Cost
The average cost of Invisalign is about $5,000…Opens in new tab to an article about Invisalign costs on Colgate website…, around the same as traditional braces. Therefore, price is not usually the sole deciding factor.

However, costs can vary based on your treatment needs. In some cases, patients will need to consider their budgets and insurance coverage when deciding if Invisalign is right for them.

Young blonde invisalign candidate holding her clear aligners

So, is Invisalign right for me?

The only way to know if Invisalign is right for you is to schedule a consultation with an Invisalign specialist.

Our  Seattle orthodontist, Dr. Paul Nelson, has proudly achieved Invisalign Premier Provider status, proving he has the expertise to provide patients with exceptional Invisalign treatment.

During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Nelson will evaluate your alignment needs and determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. From there, he will craft a custom treatment plan, determine your costs, and discuss payment options.

If Dr. Nelson determines Invisalign is not your best option, don’t worry! As a full-service orthodontic office, we offer a comprehensive range of services and will work with you to determine a better solution.

We proudly serve patients from Seattle, WA and surrounding communities in Ballard, Magnolia, Fremont, Greenwood, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Northgate, and Wallingford.

Need more convincing?

Check out these incredible Invisalign before and after case studies…Opens in new tab to a page on Invisalign’s website with real patient case studies… and browse the many glowing Invisalign reviews…Opens in new tab to a review website, Best Company, with many Invisalign reviews….

Ready to take the next step towards your dream smile?

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