When patients come to Specialty Smiles to ask about clear aligner treatment, we figure it’s just about essential to give them a straight-up rundown of the good and the not-so-good that can happen. We’d hate for someone to get blindsided down the line after they’ve already made up their minds about treatment. We think Invisalign works super well in Miramar, we’ve seen some truly amazing results, but we also know it’s not the magic bullet for everyone or every situation. InBrace® offers a hidden, behind-the-teeth alternative that straightens your smile discreetly and efficiently. This advanced technology moves your teeth naturally without the need for visible braces.
One thing patients worry about is the responsibility of wearing these clear aligners. Now, the fact that you can take them out is a real perk, unlike traditional braces that are stuck on your teeth. Being able to change them can be super convenient in many ways, but it also means you’ve got to be on top of wearing them. We recommend wearing them for 20 to 22 hours a day, but let’s be real, that level of commitment can be a stretch for some people. We’ve worked with patients who had a hard time remembering to put the aligners back in after meals or who were getting them off more often than they should have. If you’re someone who tends to forget things easily or has a super unpredictable schedule, this is definitely something you’ll want to think carefully about. We offer a range of Types of Braces to suit every preference, from traditional metal to advanced clear options. Our orthodontic specialists will help you choose the ideal treatment for your smile goals.
The price, well, that’s another thing that makes some patients in Miramar think twice. We get that money is tight, and clear aligner treatment can be pricier than traditional braces. We try our best to help people figure out how to get the most out of their insurance and set up payment plans, but we also know that it can be a real sticker shock for some families, especially those with more than one kid who needs braces. In cases like that, traditional options might start looking a whole lot more practical.
It’s also the case that some dental problems aren’t a good fit for clear aligner treatment. Even though the tech has come a long way in recent years, there are still some tough cases where traditional braces work better. Clear aligners alone might not be enough to fix a really bad bite, severely crooked teeth, or cases that need a lot of vertical movement. When we talk to patients, we always tell them the truth about whether we think another treatment would be a better fit.
We also talk to patients about the routine they’ll need to get into in order to keep the aligners from getting stained and smelly. You’ve got to brush those teeth after every meal before putting the aligners back in, which means you’ll need to carry a toothbrush around with you all day. Some people are fine with that, but others find it a real drag. We’ve had patients tell us they felt embarrassed to leave a meeting or dinner to brush their teeth.
Now, the aligners can also affect your speech when you first start wearing them. Most people get used to it in a few days, but that first little while can be pretty annoying, especially if you do a lot of presentations at work or talk on the phone all the time. We’ve worked with professionals who were worried about this part of treatment.
Some of our patients have said they felt a little bit of pain during treatment. Even though the pressure from the new aligners is less than what you’d feel when traditional braces are tightened, it’s still there. Every time you switch to a new set of aligners, your teeth move, which can make them feel a little sore or sensitive. Some patients don’t mind this, but others do.
It’s also possible that treatment will take longer than we originally thought it would. We try to give you the most accurate timelines we can, but teeth don’t always move the way we expect them to. We might need to order up extra aligners to get the best results, which means treatment will take longer overall. Patients who were counting on finishing up by a certain date might be pretty bummed by this.
And then there’s the risk of losing or breaking the aligners. They can get lost or tossed by accident because they’re so easy to take off. We’ve even had patients tell us about times when their pets have broken the aligners or they’ve thrown them away in a restaurant. Replacing the aligners can cost you money and make treatment drag on longer.
Even with all that in mind, we really want to stress that clear aligner treatment is still a great option for lots of patients in Miramar. The most important thing is to go into it with realistic expectations and a clear idea of what’s involved. During your consultation with us, we’ll talk through your situation and help you decide if this is the right way to go for you. We’re here to help you find the best treatment for your needs, your lifestyle, and your goals, and we’ll always give you our honest professional opinion. Sometimes, that means it’s not Invisalign, but something else.