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Invisalign is often touted as an effective path toward a straighter smile without traditional braces. The company claims that its clear aligners not only work quicker than braces at straightening teeth, but are also more comfortable to wear.
But how well does Invisalign actually work? Read on for what experts have to say about this potential solution to a straighter smile.
Invisalign is the brand name for the clear aligners made by the company Align Technology. With Invisalign, individuals wear a series of removable and transparent aligners made from a flexible thermoplastic, which gradually shift teeth into the desired position. These aligners are much less noticeable than the brackets and wires involved with braces, and they can be removed as needed, such as to eat and drink or to attend special occasions.
The cost of Invisalign varies widely, running anywhere from $1,500 to $8,000. The exact amount you’ll pay varies depending on your specific treatment needs, as well as your provider and insurance coverage.
The process starts with an Invisalign-trained doctor taking a 3D digital scan of your teeth and then mapping out an appropriate treatment plan for you. From there, you’ll start wearing your custom-made aligners, which are created with Invisalign’s patented SmartTrack material, a transparent, flexible plastic that allows the retainers to fit snugly around the teeth and provides gentle force to shift them into the desired position.
You’ll regularly check in with your doctor, and as your teeth start to shift, you’ll begin wearing your next batch of aligners. Aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, and each set is generally switched out every one to two weeks, under your doctor’s direction, according to the company.
Treatment could be completed within as little as six months, notes the company, though the exact timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case.
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“Invisalign is a very effective tool for straightening teeth,” says Holli Careswell, D.D.S., a board-certified general and cosmetic dentist with a private practice in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and a Forbes Health Advisory Board member.
That said, per Dr. Careswell, the efficacy of Invisalign largely depends on an individual’s commitment to wearing the trays as directed. “The key is compliance—the trays must be worn 24/7 except for when eating, drinking something staining or brushing and flossing,” she says.
Further, whether Invisalign works also depends on the complexity of the case, notes Teresa Yang, D.D.S., a California-based dentist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. According to Dr. Yang, Invisalign is “very effective for mild to moderate malocclusions (bad bites)” but less so for someone with “a severe malocclusion (bad bite) that may stem from the upper or lower jaw and involve more than just crooked teeth.”
Lastly, the efficacy of Invisalign depends on the care that the Invisalign-trained doctor provides. “Provided the orthodontist or dentist diagnoses the malocclusion correctly and works with Invisalign to design the trays properly, the efficacy should not vary much from person to person when addressing an identical issue,” says Dr. Yang.
As far as what research has found regarding the efficacy of Invisalign, one 2020 study found that on average, Invisalign accurately moved teeth in half of cases. Further, the study determined that Invisalign tends to be more accurate with certain types of tooth movements than others[1]Haouili N, Kravitz ND, Vaid NR, et al. Has Invisalign improved? A prospective follow-up study on the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. 2020;158(3)420-425. .
The “risks of Invisalign are developing cavities, gum disease and teeth staining if patients aren’t properly cleaning their teeth,” notes Dr. Careswell.
“The trays trap plaque and bacteria against the tooth surface, so brushing and flossing thoroughly and frequently is very important, as well as getting cleanings at the interval your dentist recommends,” she explains.
That said, a 2015 systematic review found that periodontal health generally tends to be better with removable appliances, like Invisalign, compared to fixed appliances, such as braces[2]Rossini G, Parrini S, Castroflorio T, et al. Periodontal health during clear aligners treatment: a systematic review. European Journal of Orthodontics. 2015;37(5):539–543. .
Individuals may also run into issues if they’re unable to wear the aligners for the recommended amount of time, which does happen “occasionally,” per Dr. Yang. “When that occurs, treatment stalls or treatment time is prolonged,” she says. “There may be additional costs involved. A patient may find they need to switch to conventional braces to complete the work.” says Dr. Yang.
Further, Invisalign may noy be as effective for patients with cases requiring certain types of tooth movements. In the aforementioned study on accuracy, the lowest overall accuracy occurred with tooth rotation, with which Invisalign had an accuracy rate of 46%[1]Haouili N, Kravitz ND, Vaid NR, et al. Has Invisalign improved? A prospective follow-up study on the efficacy of tooth movement with Invisalign. American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. 2020;158(3)420-425. .
Invisalign can be effective, but it’s not the right solution for everyone. The following people may not be good candidates for Invisalign:
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If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign, “it’s best to talk to your dentist as soon as possible to get started with treatment,” according to Dr. Careswell. “Teeth shifting happens over time, so the longer you wait, the longer your treatment time will take,” she says.
When you visit your provider, they will assess whether Invisalign is the appropriate treatment plan for your goals, taking into consideration factors like the severity of your misalignment, any existing dental issues and your oral hygiene habits. “An orthodontist or a dentist experienced in Invisalign will be able to determine if Invisalign is the right method for fixing the malocclusion,” says Dr. Yang. Impress Yourself, With Byte Teeth Aligners The journey to a new smile starts by taking impressions of your teeth from the comfort of your home. With your purchase from Byte, receive a free retainer, free whitening treatment, and help from a clinical team. $80 Off With Code FORBESBBP On Byte's Website
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Becca Stanek is an experienced writer and editor who is passionate about exploring the ways we can feel better mentally and physically to get the most out of our lives. She has worked for publications including LendingTree, SmartAsset, and The Week, among others. She's currently completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training, and also likes to spend her time reading, writing, biking and hiking.
Cobalt Chromium Alloy Post And Core Dr. Willardsen established True Dentistry in Las Vegas, as well as the Esthetic Alliance, a cosmetic dental laboratory focused on full mouth reconstruction. He is a certified biomimetic dentistry instructor with the Alleman-Deliperi Centers. Dr. Willardsen also co-founded Occlusion Connections, a center for dental occlusal studies. He has been invited to speak and present to other doctors on biomimetic and cosmetic dentistry. For over 10 years, Dr. Willardsen has traveled nationally and internationally to share the latest information in dental materials and techniques. He’s been the invited dental expert on numerous television shows and news outlets, including Fox News, CBS News, ABC News, HuffPost, VH1, New Beauty and others. In addition, he is a featured dental expert on the hit television show “The Doctors.” His articles have been featured in professional and consumer magazines, such as Aesthetic Dentistry, Dental Economics, Dental Products Report, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, New Beauty and more.