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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!