Everyone dreams of having a straight, perfect smile. Unfortunately, the reality is that most people have some type of malocclusion, or misalignment. There are several types of malocclusion, including:
These malocclusions don’t just cause aesthetic issues, they may also cause functional issues, which is why treatment is critical.
Dr. Jeremy Kurtz at Invisalign Toronto can help you solve your mild to moderate malocclusion with Invisalign treatment. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about this alternative to traditional braces.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear aligners to gradually shift teeth into their appropriate position. Successful treatment requires that the aligners be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day, and each set is worn for 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the treatment plan.
When you are considering your options for straightening your teeth, it’s important to consider the features of both sides:
| Invisalign | Traditional Braces | |
Cost of treatment |
$1,200 to $8,000 | $3.000 to $7,000 |
Does dental insurance cover treatment? |
Some providers classify it as a cosmetic procedure, others classify it as a restorative procedure | Yes, most providers will cover a portion of the treatment |
Appearance |
Transparent, almost invisible, even at close range | Wires and brackets can be seen |
Effectiveness |
Resolves mild to moderate cases when used alone May also treat more severe cases in conjunction with attachments and rubber bands |
Resolves all types and severities of dental malocclusions |
Treatment time |
Ranges from 6 months for very mild cases to 24 months for severe cases Average treatment is 12 to 18 months |
Average of 12 to 24 months, may require up to 36 months for more severe cases |
Procedure |
Comprehensive exam including digital images of your bite
Images and treatment plan sent to dental lab for aligner fabrication First aligner placed to ensure fit, patient sent home with remaining aligners and treatment plan instructions Check in with dentist to monitor progress based on your treatment plan |
Comprehensive exam and x-rays to create treatment plan
Brackets secured to affected teeth and archwire run through to connect them. Every few weeks, return to the office to have the archwire tightened |
Food restrictions |
None | Must give up sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy foods during treatment |
Oral hygiene |
No special considerations, simply brush/floss as usual | Brackets and wires make it difficult to get teeth fully clean
May need an interdental brush and a water flosser |
Invisalign
$1,200 to $8,000
Traditional Braces
$3.000 to $7,000
Invisalign
Some providers classify it as a cosmetic procedure, others classify it as a restorative procedure
Traditional Braces
Yes, most providers will cover a portion of the treatment
Invisalign
Transparent, almost invisible, even at close range
Traditional Braces
Wires and brackets can be seen
Invisalign
Resolves mild to moderate cases when used alone
May also treat more severe cases in conjunction with attachments and rubber bands
Traditional Braces
Resolves all types and severities of dental malocclusions
Invisalign
Ranges from 6 months for very mild cases to 24 months for severe cases
Average treatment is 12 to 18 months
Traditional Braces
Average of 12 to 24 months, may require up to 36 months for more severe cases
Invisalign
Comprehensive exam including digital images of your bite
Images and treatment plan sent to dental lab for aligner fabrication
First aligner placed to ensure fit, patient sent home with remaining aligners and treatment plan instructions
Check in with dentist to monitor progress based on your treatment plan
Traditional Braces
Comprehensive exam and x-rays to create treatment plan
Brackets secured to affected teeth and archwire run through to connect them.
Every few weeks, return to the office to have the archwire tightened
Invisalign
None
Traditional Braces
Must give up sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy foods during treatment
Invisalign
No special considerations, simply brush/floss as usual
Traditional Braces
Brackets and wires make it difficult to get teeth fully clean
May need an interdental brush and a water flosser
If you are considering Invisalign treatment, there are a few things that you need to know:
As a general rule, orthodontic treatment should begin around the age of 12 or 13. We do not recommend aligners for patients this young because of the compliance and responsibility factors involved. However, if you feel that your child can be responsible, Invisalign Teen may be appropriate.
There is no upper age limit, as long as you have all of your natural teeth.
Aligners should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. However, it is important to note that the longer you wear them, the better. You may even be able to expedite your treatment if you wear them closer to 22 hours a day.
If you have cavities or gum disease, those issues must be addressed prior to beginning Invisalign treatment.
One of the biggest advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. This means that you don’t have to get any special equipment or take any special considerations for oral hygiene. You can continue to brush and floss as usual.
Traditional braces require that you give up foods that are crunchy, chewy, sticky, or hard because they can damage the brackets and wires. However, since you can remove Invisalign aligners, you can eat what you want- but you must make sure to clean your teeth before putting them back in.
When you first start Invisalign treatment and when you switch to a new set of aligners, you may have some discomfort. This is due in part to having a foreign object in your mouth, as well as the pressure being put on the teeth. Kissing while wearing the aligners may also seem strange at first, but you will get used to them and this will resolve.
There are 5 levels of Invisalign treatment to choose from:
there are two lines of Invisalign Express- one with 5 aligners and one with 7. This is for very mild to mild cases.
this line offers up to 14 aligners and is designed for mild to mild/moderate cases
this line offers up to 20 aligners and is designed for mild/moderate to moderate cases
this line offers unlimited aligners and is designed for moderate to severe cases
the primary difference between this line and the lines above is the inclusion of little blue dots on the aligners. This is designed for teens whose parents are concerned about compliance. The dots fade over time if the aligners are being worn as directed, which gives parents peace of mind.
If you have a dental malocclusion and want to know more about Invisalign treatment, schedule your consultation with Dr. Kurtz at Invisalign Toronto. He had been awarded the status of VIP Diamond provider from Invisalign and he is among the top 1% of Invisalign providers. He has completed more than 4,000 Invisalign cases.
We have two locations to serve you- Front Street West and Lawrence Avenue West, both in Toronto. We can help you straighten your smile and boost your confidence!
Invisalign is popular, but many patients still have questions. Below are some of the most common questions that we’ve gotten through the years. If yours is not addressed here, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
No, you should not chew gum while wearing your aligners.
Smoking is bad for your health and, if possible, you should quit. You should never smoke while wearing your aligners, as this could cause damage and staining.
When Invisalign was first introduced, most dental insurance providers classified it as a cosmetic treatment and would not cover it. However, as the benefits of this treatment over traditional orthodontic methods have been proven, more providers will cover it. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. We also have options for financing if you need help paying for treatment.
Invisalign aligners are custom-made to fit snugly against your teeth using digital images sent to the lab by the dentist. The pressure from the aligners pushes the teeth into their appropriate position in the jaw.
Invisalign aligners should be cleaned at least once daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and liquid soap. Avoid using toothpaste and scrubbing too hard, this could damage your aligners.
Invisalign aligners should be removed prior to eating to avoid damaging or staining them.
Yes, the Invisalign system has been proven effective in resolving most mild to moderate cases of dental overbite. Severe cases and skeletal overbites may require additional intervention.
