Young man wearing clear braces.

Invisalign vs. Other Forms of Braces – Part 2

by Invisalign

There are so many differences to consider when a patient is looking to get orthodontics. The following are some of the differences there are between the Invisalign and other forms of braces, continued from part 1 (Invisalign vs. Other Forms of Braces – Part 1).

Appearance

Invisalign

As one can tell from the name of the aligners, Invisalign is made so that they are not noticeable by people. They are made from patented clear plastic material so that they can be or are close to being “invisible.” The Invisalign is an option to anyone who does not wish others to see that they are having the treatment done or are concerned about their appearance due to different factors such as their occupation.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are the braces that have the metal bracket (the metal square part of traditional wire braces) attached to the tooth at holds the wire in place using elastics. The wire forces the teeth to move and align. If the metal bracket is not something the patient wants, they may consider ceramic braces, where the bracket is made of a ceramic material which gives it a white look, allowing it to blend in better with the patient’s teeth.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are like traditional wire braces, but the wire is placed behind the teeth so that they are not noticeable to people. However, they are not an option to everyone as there is a limit to what lingual braces can fix. Because the wires are placed on the inside, arguably, the amount of force that can be put on the teeth is less than that of traditional braces so the speed for treatment times may differ.

Eating

Invisalign

Eating is easy with the Invisalign. One thing to remember when eating with the Invisalign is that the patient needs to take the aligners out before eating. Invisalign patients can eat whatever foods and drinks they want – there are no limitations. After eating, the patient should brush their teeth before putting the aligners back on. When the patient has Invisalign aligners on, they can only drink water.

Traditional Braces (including lingual)

With traditional braces, there is a bit of a limit to the foods that the patient can eat. Patients are asked not chew gum or eat toffees as they can get stuck to the wires and cause difficulty when trying to get them off. Patients are asked to avoid biting into hard and chewy foods when possible as they can cause the brackets to come off. This would result in requiring an extra trip to the orthodontist to have them put the brackets back on, delaying treatment time.

Complications

Invisalign

There are less complications known that come with using the customized Invisalign aligners. There may be soreness and / or discomfort as the teeth move.

Traditional Braces (including lingual)

With traditional braces with the wire, there are more known complications such as root absorption and gum inflammation. This is not to say that everyone gets these complications – everyone reacts differently to any medical procedure and this applies to dental procedures as well.

Consultations / Check-ups

Invisalign

The check-up appointments are more flexible with the Invisalign as the patient is given their trays so that they change the aligners on their own according to the schedule given by the Invisalign specialist. For example, a patient may be asked to change the aligner every week.

Traditional Braces (including lingual)

With traditional braces, there are more limits – the patient has to visit the orthodontist every month so that the orthodontist can tighten their wire. Some patients mistakenly believe that just having the braces without the monthly checkups to tighten the braces will straighten their teeth and skip checkups. Without the tightening every month, the teeth will not move. Skipping the checkup causes delays which adds more time to the overall treatment time and is a waste of the patient’s time.

Discipline

Invisalign

As the patient is in control of taking out and putting in the aligners, it may be tempting to take them out occasionally. However, patients need to remember that to ensure that the Invisalign treatment works, they need to keep the aligners in at all times except when they are brushing their teeth or eating. All other times, the aligners have to be worn.

Traditional Braces (including lingual)

As the wire is on their teeth, patients do not have anything to worry about other than maintaining good hygiene.

Moving

Invisalign

Due to unforeseen reasons, a patient may have to move to a different city or country. With the Invisalign, it is easy to move to different clinics located in other cities or even countries. This is due to the universal system that the Invisalign uses. Thus, transferring between different clinics is easy – to start, the patient must make sure that the new clinic they will move to supports and uses the Invisalign system.

Traditional Braces (including lingual)

As there is not a universal system for traditional wire braces, it is more difficult to transfer to a new clinic. Each doctor places the braces on the teeth differently and a treatment plan is made based on each doctor’s experience; when a patient with traditional braces tries to move to a different clinic, it will be more difficult as the new doctor may think differently from the original treatment plan or they may not be able to follow it. In this case, there is a chance that the patient may need to redo the braces according to the new doctor’s treatment plan.

It is important for the patient to consider the number of differences between the different types of orthodontics before choosing what they feel is right for them.

Beautiful smiling Turkish woman is holding an invisalign bracer in a studio with grey background

The Basics of Invisalign

by Invisalign

These days with advancements in orthodontics, there are a variety of different types that patients can choose from. It may be overwhelming to choose which type to get in order to straighten one’s teeth. At the Oaks Dental Clinic, we offer consultations with specialists in orthodontics so that patients can choose which type would be the best fit for them. One of the top choices is the Invisalign as they are clear and hardly noticeable and are able to treat a number of different types of cases (ex. Overbite, underbite, crossbite, alignment issues, etc.).

What is the Invisalign?

The Invisalign treatment is a type of braces that are different from traditional braces. While traditional braces consists of brackets, wires and elastics to hold them together, the Invisalign consists of using clear plastic aligners, also called trays, to straighten the teeth. The number of trays that are used for each patient differs according to the patient’s specific case and they are changed according to the doctor’s recommendation based on the patient’s treatment plan. As the aligners are made of flexible clear plastic, they are making it difficult to see when a patient is wearing them, becoming virtually “invisible”.

How does it work?

The start of the process will consist of a consultation with a trained Invisalign specialist. At the Oaks Dental Clinic, we have a Invisalign specialist that specifically takes care of our Invisalign patients. During the consultation, it is very important for the patient to communicate what they want to achieve with their treatment.

After the consultation, a patient can decide to get the iTero scan which may help them in the decision making process if they are still unsure whether to get the Invisalign or not. This brings up a 3D scan of your teeth which will help the specialist design the patient’s teeth’s smile using the CliniCheck software.

After checking the results of the CliniCheck with the Invisalign Specialist, the patient can make the final decision of whether they want to proceed with the Invisalign as after this step, the actual Invisalign trays are made.

After confirmation, the process of making the aligners is started. Before the patient receives their trays, each set of trays are individually packaged to ensure that they are sterile and clean when delivered to the patient. They are also labelled so that there is no confusion in regards to what order they should be worn.

In between trays, the patient will be required to have checkups with the Invisalign specialist to make sure everything is going as planned and to check the patient’s progress. After the treatment process is completed, the patient will need to have retainers to make sure that the teeth stay in their place.

What is the iTero scanner?

With the iTero scanner, there is no need for messy molds and there is no wait time for a model to be made of the patient’s teeth. Instead, in a matter of minutes, the Invisalign specialist can scan a patient’s teeth in 3D using the iTero Scanner. There is no waiting with the iTero scanner – the Invisalign specialist and the patient can see the 3D scan of the teeth as the teeth are being scanned in real time. The outcome simulator part of the scan can help continue with the consultation process.

The Basics of Invisalign

(from Invisalign website)

What is the CliniCheck?

The Invisalign specialist uses the CliniCheck software to map out in 3D how the patient’s teeth are going to move throughout the patient’s Invisalign treatment process. The algorithm of the software helps the Invisalign Specialist calculate how much force is needed to move each tooth to eventually the correct place to perfect the patient’s smile.

Using exact calculations down to the millimeter, the Invisalign specialist will determine the order in which the teeth will move to perfect the smile, and if needed, make recommendations to the patient in regards to shaving a millimeter or two to close potential gaps between teeth pictured through the Clinicheck. The patient can see in 3D video how the process will be, how each tooth will move and the projected result.

Please do note that the CliniCheck process is not instant. It takes time about a week as the Invisalign Specialist has to take the time, using the software to design each step to perfect the patient’s potential smile.

The Basics of Invisalign

(from Invisalign website)

What is the material the Invisalign is made of?

The Invisalign is made of clear patented material called, “SmartTrack” which was designed to be comfortable for the patient. The research behind the SmartTrack allows for easy removal after putting the aligners on while fitting snugly on the teeth when they are on. The material is engineered so that the force applied when on the teeth is consistent while being gentle on the teeth; with each tray that is used, there is control on each movement of the patient’s teeth, allowing for predictability for how the teeth are moved.

The Basics of Invisalign

(from Invisalign website)

How are the aligners made?

All the aligners are custom made according to the patient’s treatment plan. As mentioned above, there is no need for messy molds as it is replaced with the iTero scan. Using the SmartTrack material, the aligners are made and trimmed according to the patient’s gumline to ensure a comfortable fit. This is done so that patients are not uncomfortable wearing the aligners.

Conclusion

Like all medical procedures, prospective patients for the Invisalign should visit a specialist and have a consultation to see if the treatment is right for their specific case – whether their bite, alignment, state of teeth and gums fit the criteria to get the Invisalign. Many have benefited from getting the Invisalign because of the lack of metal wires and brackets and the hassle of visiting the orthodontist every month. The Invisalign provide the convenience of less trips to the dental office, and is nearly invisible so most people do not notice – allowing patients to be comfortable and confident all the while straightening out their smile.

ivisalign in korea-min

Getting Invisalign in Korea

by Invisalign

Smile! No?
Do you dread hearing that word? Do you often find yourself feeling
uncomfortable or avoiding pictures solely because you don’t want to smile?
Consider those days over. If you have found this article you are most likely
searching for options to change how you feel about your smile, specifically
ways that are more subtle than a full set of metal glued to your teeth. You
have found the answer to all your prayers of subtle yet effective teeth
adjustment with Invisalign, so let’s begin our endeavor into the world of
straight teeth.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign are custom aligners. They are specifically made to address a variety of dental deformities, ranging from wanting small adjustments in some teeth up to needing a drastic change in the alignment of the teeth.

Some general situations in which you might qualify for Invisalign include:

  • Crowded
    teeth
  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Crossbite
  • Gap
    Teeth
  • Open
    bite
  • Baby
    and permanent teeth
  • Generally
    straighter teeth

The Step By Step Process on How Invisalign
Works

Getting Invisalign in Korea

If you would like to watch a short video on
this, you can find it here. The steps are also listed below in detail.  

Step 1

  • A
    scan will be taken to create a 3D model of your teeth, unsanitary molds
    excluded. They will then alter your teeth through the advanced technological
    systems they have to create a road map of what your overall timeline will be up
    to the final results. This is to make sure you will be satisfied with the final
    results before any treatment has begun.

Step 2

  • Once
    a plan is set in motion, your aligners will be digitally printed. Keep in mind
    based on the plan your orthodontist and you set up beforehand, you will be
    switching aligners every 1-2 weeks, throughout the entire pre-determined timeline.

Step 3

  • You
    will then continue to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours every day, excluding
    any times you eat or drink anything aside from water. When you need to eat or
    drink, simply remove the aligners, eat or drink, brush your teeth immediately
    after and pop them back in.

    • You
      may expect some mild discomfort the first few days immediately after switching
      to the new aligner, but this should subside after a couple of days as your
      teeth shift and adjust.

Step 4

  • Once
    your teeth have shifted into the perfect smile, you will have to continue
    wearing a retainer at night for the years to come. The teeth will always want
    to shift back to their natural position, regardless of the method used to
    straighten them, so this step, unfortunately, is unavoidable for all who seek
    improved smiles.

Make sure you are committing to this routine,
if you do not this will only prolong the treatment period and add up to a
larger expense than originally planned. If you do not commit to the retainer
post-treatment, you will run the risk of having the teeth shift back to their
original state. 

Getting Invisalign in Korea

What
is better braces or Invisalign?

This is entirely dependent on your priorities and the degree of shifting the teeth will need. Invisalign boasts the fact that it is virtually clear, and therefore a much more natural appearance is kept up throughout the entire time the teeth are being treated.

Braces have evolved since the days of full headgear, but when closer than a couple feet most people will be able to see them. If a priority of yours is discreteness, Invisalign would suit your needs better.

This is particularly important for many adult patients, as braces tend to carry a bit of a childish-stigma attached to them.

When comparing the costs between the two, they are quite similar as well so it will mostly come down to preference, orthodontist level of experience, and your particular treatment plan.

There have been instances when Invisalign results were also better than those of just standard braces. This varied depending on what the specific issue was with the patient’s teeth in the studies done, so speaking to your orthodontist is very important for choosing the best option for you.

Something to consider as well is that depending on your situation, attachments may be implanted on your teeth. These will be small bumps on the surface of the teeth, often referred to as “buttons” or “bridges”, and should not be noticeable for a small amount of them.

If many bridges need to be imputed, this is where they will become more noticeable, and therefore there will be less of a major difference between receiving braces or Invisalign.

Getting Invisalign in Korea

Invisalign
also promotes the easiness and comfort it offers, due to the fact that it can
be removed at any time. This helps users avoid difficulties often associated
with braces, such as food getting caught in the braces, or difficulty brushing
and flossing the teeth. For more detail here is
a short video from a certified orthodontist, Dr.Daher.

There
are also a variety of treatments available within Invisalign and braces themselves.
For more detailed information on these treatments, Oaks Dental Clinic has an easy breakdown of all your options.

How
long does it take to straighten your teeth with Invisalign?

This
will vary from patient to patient, but generally, most cases tend to need
anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years. This will be predetermined in your
initial consultations but may change based on your ability to maintain the
routine necessary to achieve the results.

How
much does it cost for Invisalign in Korea?

On average, a
full set of Invisalign in Korea can cost around $6000. If your teeth need less
work done, the price will decrease, and many insurance companies will pay a
portion of the bill, particularly for younger people.

Getting Invisalign in Korea
Best Dental Clinic to get Invisalign in Korea

There are a variety of clinics that will offer the services of Invisalign. Something to prioritize when searching for clinics that offer it is to make sure you are going to an orthodontist, and not just a dentist. Schooling between the two is extremely different, as orthodontists must go to 4 more years of school and specialize in diseases and irregularities of the teeth. You should also check if your orthodontist has any level of experience with Invisalign beforehand. Going to an inexperienced orthodontist may save you some money, but the results may not be everything you hoped for.

Before & After

Here are
results of patients that used Invisalign in Korea to improve their smile.

  • Getting Invisalign in Korea

Overall, Invisalign boasts discreteness throughout the whole process of treatment, while offering similar, if not better, results as braces. Though it may not differ drastically in prices with braces, due to the perks that come with it you can still consider it somewhat of a bargain.

It’s also important to remember that fixing teeth is a lifetime investment, as no matter what route of treatment you choose, you will have to do some form of upkeep (i.e. retainers) to maintain your results.

Lastly, remember your orthodontist should have some experience with Invisalign in order to deliver fully on their promised results. If you feel ready to take a positive step towards a more beautiful smile then it might be time for you to consider Invisalign!