When we talk about Invisalign at Mistry Dental, we always talk about the good and the bad. We believe in being 100% honest about the downsides of Invisalign for orthodontics even though we have helped many people in Mississauga get beautiful smiles with it. So you can make an informed decision about your dental care. Not every treatment is right for everyone and there are some problems with Invisalign you should consider before you start.
One of the worst things about Invisalign is that it requires a lot of personal accountability. Because you can take off the aligners, it’s up to you to wear them for the prescribed 20 to 22 hours a day. Sounds easy but we’ve seen patients struggle with it. You might take your aligners out to eat lunch and then forget to put them back in right away. You might leave them off for a night out or want to avoid wearing them when your teeth hurt. Your teeth won’t move towards their final position if you don’t wear your aligners for an hour. Your treatment will take longer than expected and you might not get the results you want if you don’t wear your aligners all the time.
Some people don’t choose Invisalign because of the price. The cost is sometimes similar to regular braces but it’s still a big commitment that usually costs several thousand dollars. Not everyone has that kind of money lying around and even with payment plans and insurance the monthly expense can be tough for some families to handle. We do our best to help patients find ways to pay for their care but we know money is tight and sometimes traditional braces or other treatments might be a better option.
Some people are surprised by how much work it is to keep up with Invisalign. You have to take out your aligners every time you eat or drink something other than water. This makes it harder to eat or drink quickly or sip on coffee throughout the day since you have to take your aligners out, store them safely, eat or drink, brush your teeth and then put them back in. This pattern can be tough for people with busy schedules or those who eat many small meals throughout the day. Some of our patients have told us they eat less often or skip snacks because they don’t want to have to take off and clean their aligners more than once. Dental implants offer a permanent solution for missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics. They provide a strong foundation that feels and looks natural. This advanced treatment enhances confidence and improves overall oral health.
When it comes to cleaning, keeping up with good hygiene with Invisalign requires extra work. You should brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in after every meal. Putting your aligners back in over dirty teeth can trap food and germs against your teeth which can cause cavities and gum problems. You also need to clean the aligners often so they don’t get dirty or smell bad. Some people think this makes their daily routine more boring because it adds extra steps.
We should also mention that Invisalign can’t treat every orthodontic condition. The technology has come a long way and can now handle a lot of complex cases but there are still some cases where traditional braces work better. Invisalign may not be the best choice for people with very bad bite problems, teeth that need to be rotated a lot or situations that need a lot of vertical movement. When you come in for a consultation at our Mississauga location we will be honest with you about whether Invisalign can give you the results you want or if another treatment would be better.
Some patients find Invisalign hurts especially when they switch to a new set of aligners. Your teeth can hurt or be sensitive for a few days as they get used to the extra pressure. Although this pain is usually not as bad as what people feel when their braces are adjusted, it’s still something to consider. You might also notice the aligners make your tongue or cheeks feel a little uncomfortable at first but this usually gets better in the first week or two.
3The aligners may also change the way you talk for a short time. When patients first start wearing their aligners they may develop a little lisp because the plastic affects how their tongue moves when they make certain sounds. Most people get used to it in a few days but if you have an important presentation or event coming up you might want to plan for this adjustment period. Laser dentistry uses cutting-edge technology to treat gum disease and other concerns with precision. It minimizes discomfort and promotes faster healing compared to traditional methods. This approach delivers exceptional results while ensuring patient comfort.
We also want to make it clear that losing or breaking your aligners can be a problem. You can lose them or throw them away by mistake because they can be taken off. Some of our patients have put their aligners in a napkin at a restaurant and then forgotten about them only to find out later that they threw them away. It costs more to replace lost or broken aligners and it can slow down your treatment.
We want you to have realistic expectations about any treatment you choose at Mistry Dental. A lot of people can benefit from Invisalign but not everyone can. The most important thing is to know both the pros and cons so you can decide if this treatment is right for your lifestyle, budget and dental needs. We recommend you come in for a consultation so we can talk about your individual circumstances and help you figure out the best way to get the smile you want. Knowing about the possible problems that can come up will help you be happy with your choice and stick to your treatment plan.