Invisalign: bad experiences
Treatment with Invisalign aligners is the clear alternative to traditional metal braces. Every one to two weeks the custom-fit trays are swapped for a new pair. The switch creates a controlled, step-by-step movement of the teeth. In this article we walk through the factors that can lead to a bad Invisalign experience.
Poor care by the provider
The technology and research behind Invisalign let providers plan the course and duration of treatment in detail. Every treatment plan is built individually for the patient. That also means: not every Invisalign provider works the same way, and not every provider will achieve the same results. Hands-on experience with the Invisalign system plays a big role here. As a rule, experienced Invisalign providers deliver a better and faster treatment because their accumulated know-how flows into the planning. Providers with limited practical experience often lack the knowledge needed to deliver the same quality of care.
Treatment takes longer
How long an Invisalign treatment runs depends on the complexity of the case. The trays should be worn for 7 to 14 days each, 18 to 22 hours a day. As soon as that wear time slips, the total treatment time can stretch out.
The Invisalign system is built on a sequence of trays that follow on from one another. With every change, the teeth move into the next planned position. Before you can swap to the next set, your teeth first have to fully match the shape of the current tray. If you keep up the wear time, switching to the next pair is straightforward. If you do not, the trays may eventually stop fitting properly and/or put too much pressure on the teeth. That can mean new trays have to be ordered or a refinement is needed — and treatment takes longer overall.
Quick tip: Download the My Invisalign app to keep an eye on wear time and track the hours your trays are out of your mouth. Learn more about the wear time for aligners.
Pain
Some patients complain about strong pain during Invisalign treatment. In most cases it comes down to inconsistent wear or switching to the next tray too soon. Invisalign treatment is, in principle, a pain-free way to straighten teeth. What you actually feel is pressure on the teeth — and that pressure is what creates the movement. Moving teeth is a medical process and requires the patient's cooperation. For a pain-free, optimal result, wear the aligners for the prescribed time. If you do stick to the wear time and still have significant discomfort, talk to your treating dentist. Pain can also come from inflammation, cavities, sensitive areas near the gumline (exposed tooth roots) and other issues that have nothing to do with the aligner therapy itself. Your dentist can help you here. We have also put together some tips to ease the pressure during treatment.
Teeth that move slowly
In rare cases teeth are hard to move and take longer than planned to reach their calculated position. When that happens you simply have to adapt to the pace of your teeth — their health always comes first. For most patients this is not an issue at all; many can actually switch trays faster than the planned 14-day interval.
Cavities
Cavity formation has a strong link to the patient's oral hygiene. Cavities only develop when there is sugar and other food residue on the tooth surface — that is the breeding ground bacteria need to spread. Brush your teeth after every meal, use floss, and clean your trays before you put them back in. Stick to those habits and you have nothing to worry about. Invisalign does not promote cavities as long as you follow the recommended hygiene routine. Read more about what you can drink with your trays in.
Teeth shifting back after treatment
Once Invisalign treatment is successfully wrapped up, the teeth can shift again without a retainer. They were loosened for the correction process and now need to settle and lock into their new position. So you do not waste the treatment, always finish with a retainer. Read up here on the pros and cons of the different retainer types.
Wounds inside the mouth
Anyone who has worn fixed metal braces knows exactly how comfortable Invisalign treatment is in comparison. No protruding wires or brackets that constantly cause sores inside the mouth. In rare cases a small wound can still develop during Invisalign treatment. Usually it is due to a tiny sharp edge that was left behind during production. You can simply file it down with a regular nail file — see the video.
Good to know: Small wounds inside the mouth typically heal very quickly, so there is no reason to worry. Read more in our 10 useful tips for a more comfortable Invisalign treatment.
Stained trays
If you drink colored beverages like cola, coffee or tea with your trays in, they can stain quickly. That is why you should take the trays out first. Putting the aligners straight back in after a meal can also lead to staining. So both for health and aesthetic reasons, brush your teeth thoroughly before re-inserting — otherwise the color particles in your mouth and between your teeth can transfer to the trays. Smoking will also leave a yellow-brown film on the aligners. If your trays do end up stained, this article walks you through how to clean them.