Invisalign versus braces?

[James]

This girl was talking to me about her getting invisalign instead of braces and I realized I didn't really know anything about it.

Anyone with experiences about invisalign?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Invisalign is good for people who have either had braces before or only have minor corrections to make. It's not capable of the same mouth makeover that braces can perform.

[1908Revelations]

I agree if there are minor (very minor) issues then invisalign will probably be ok. I have seen people with a lot of spaces between thier teeth get invisalign and it looks horrible, because you can see the plastic where the spaces are. Those people should have gotten braces. Plus I hear it takes a little bit longer depending on the the persons teeth.

[NUBlue&Blue]

Our ortho uses them as retainers--he says that they do a good job of keeping teeth in place, but don't work as well as old fashioned brackets and wires for moving teeth. My older kids had them for retainers for 5 years or so, and both now have regular wire retainers. After awhile, they didn't feel like they held their teeth in place anymore.

I think you have to get new molds done every couple weeks or so. Sounds like a much bigger PITA than plain old braces.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Invisalign is good for people who have either had braces before or only have minor corrections to make. It's not capable of the same mouth makeover that braces can perform.

That's the same thing my dentist told me. He said it's not a good choice for most people.

[BigRedBeta]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Invisalign is good for people who have either had braces before or only have minor corrections to make. It's not capable of the same mouth makeover that braces can perform.

No kidding. I think my little brother is now a part of the orthodontia literature as a case study in which not one but two complete planning sessions and computer analyses still failed to put his teeth into proper alignment (he ended the second sequence with only three sets of upper and lower teeth touching when he clenched his jaw). Still took a year or so of braces to finally get everything where it was going to be.

[AlethiaSi]

I don't know that much about invisalign... I was thinking about getting them eventually because I used to have braces (and wore my retainer for years) and my bottom teeth still moved out of alignment, not bad but it definately bothers me.

i know tom cruise had invisalign... does that count? lol

[FSUZeta]

our family orthodontist said that invisalign is for people who do not need their bite corrected. in other words, invisalign shoulb be used just for teeth straightening.