Are your teeth crooked? Does your bite seem slightly off? Are your gums receding? Let me guess, you want to fix a few teeth-related issues, but you aren’t sure about plunking down thousands of dollars for Invisalign.
My Invisalign Experience
Well I’m here to help. I’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Invisalign, but were too afraid to ask. Every detail is based on my Invisalign experience and the experiences of others I know.
This is my honest and unbiased Invisalign review. It includes the details of my year long Invisalign journey. Invisalign can work. Learn important Invisalign facts from user reviews including my own.
Bad Invisalign Experience
Before starting Invisalign I wanted to learn as much as I could about the process. I knew I needed a solution for my slightly crooked teeth and misaligned bite, but I felt incredibly nervous about using invisible aligners to fix them.
To ease my mind I searched the Internet for information that could help me. Most dental websites present positive Invisalign reviews, but I wanted to read honest, unbiased reviews from real patients too.
I looked for negative Invisalign reviews full of problems, complaints and mistakes. What could I learn from each bad experience with Invisalign? Why did some patients fail to achieve perfect smiles and what could those negative Invisalign reviews teach me? The start of my Invisalign journey lead me to the answers.
The Start of My Invisalign Journey
Before I signed up for Invisalign I created a list of questions. Here are a few of them:
- How does Invisalign work?
- Does Invisalign hurt?
- Will my teeth look perfect after Invisalign?
- What can go wrong with Invisalign?
- Can Invisalign cause gum recession or black triangles?
- Does Invisalign cause cavities?
- How long does Invisalign take?
- How much does Invisalign cost?
I can now answer these questions and many more including: is Invisalign worth it? I’ve been an Invisalign patient for over one year now. I just finished the process and can now provide the details from my Invisalign journey. I started wearing Invisalign in September of 2018 and wore them through 2019.
In 2019 I finished wearing my last Invisalign tray. I immediately wrote down everything I could remember about Invisalign experience. I hope this Invisalign review will help you.
This is my honest Invisalign review. It includes the details I wish I had known when I was just beginning.
Choosing an Invisalign Provider
Where’s the best place to start? Well right from the beginning of course. Before we dive too deep into the nitty-gritty details of Invisalign let’s talk about how the whole process works.
First, you will visit your dentist or orthodontist for an evaluation. If you don’t have a trusted relationship with your practitioner now is the time to scour your area for a new one.
Choosing an Invisalign provider you trust is the most important part of this process. You want to feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns. The reddit Invisalign subgroup is full of patients who aren’t sure about their provider’s choices. It’s okay to ask the Internet for a second opinion, but you need to feel confident talking about treatment options with your provider too.
I visited two dentists and an orthodontist prior to making my decision. In fact, my dentist turned me away for treatment. She said, “If you need extensive tooth movements or bite improvements you may want to seek out an orthodontist.”
Fortunately, my teeth were relatively straight prior to Invisalign. Unfortunately, I needed treatment to fix bite problems that were leading to bone loss and gum recession.
Negative Invisalign Reviews: Invisalign Gone Wrong
My dentist’s words echo all across the Internet. Most negative Invisalign feedback comes from patients who are unhappy with their final results. Why would a patient have a bad experience with Invisalign? Most negative Invisalign reviews blame dentists who fail to properly move teeth.
What can go wrong with Invisalign? You can end up with bad results: crooked teeth, cavities, gum disease, jaw pain or a misaligned bite. In other words, you can spend a ridiculous amount of money and end up with more dental issues than you started with.
Invisalign Complaints
The majority of Invisalign complaints fall under four main categories: treatment time, crooked teeth, improper alignment, and black triangles,
To avoid bad Invisalign results you need to be aware of your provider’s role in the Invisalign process. Contrary to popular belief Invisalign treatment is more than a series of plastic trays.
Throughout your treatment your provider will make adjustments to the computer generated Invisalign plan. When things get off track your provider can tweak the refinement plans and force stubborn teeth to move.
Keep in mind that dentists and orthodontists both attend dental school, but orthodontists undergo additional years of training to learn how to align teeth and improve patient’s bites.
This doesn’t mean orthodontists will perform the work perfectly. It also doesn’t mean you need to choose an orthodontist over a dentist. It just means you should investigate the options thoroughly before choosing a provider.
Having gone through the Invisalign experience myself I would never chose a dentist over an orthodontist, but of course that’s just my personal opinion.
Before plunking down thousands of dollars and months of time you want to know is Invisalign worth it? Is Invisalign worth the time and money? When the work is performed correctly Invisalign is definitely worth it. The key is to find an experienced, well trained provider to perform your dental work.
This is especially true for Invisalign go and Invisalign express, which have shorter durations and less room for errors.
Invisalign Reviews & Ratings
Before you make your final decision remember that a quick Google search can reveal a wealth of information from prior patients. Invisalign ratings depend on the success of each patient’s Invisalign journey. Simply type in your provider’s name and search for his or her ratings and reviews. Read each Invisalign review carefully.
Pay special attention to any Invisalign reviews for the provider you are considering. Look closely at before and after images of previous Invisalign patients. Check to see if the patients teeth are straight and well aligned.
Remember that each patient is unique, (so you may or may not encounter the same problems), but you do want to be well aware of issues before paying for Invisalign.
A provider’s expertise is also important. Invisalign categorizes providers by the number of cases they handle.
Here are the current categories and the associated number of cases per year.
- General Provider – 10 Invisalign cases per year
- Elite Provider – 300 cases including a minimum of 50 every 6 months
- Top 1% – 800 cases including 200 cases per year
A more experienced provider will be more familiar with complex cases than one who has treated fewer cases. Again, this is just one of many important criteria to consider.
Many negative Invisalign reviews are written about providers with less knowledge and experience. Providers with more expertise may cost more, but this is one of those instances where you don’t want to choose the cheapest option. Speaking of cost…
How Much Does Invisalign Cost? – Average Cost of Invisalign?
Before you choose an Invisalign provider there is one more thing to consider: How expensive is Invisalign? Believe it or not each provider sets his or her own prices. That means there isn’t a standard Invisalign price for all patients.
So how much does Invisalign cost? The average cost of Invisalign is between $3000 and $8000. More experienced providers cost a whole lot more than inexperienced ones.
My local dentist gave me an Invisalign price quote of just over $4000. A Top 1% provider in a swanky part of town handed me a quote for $7900.
If you are price conscious definitely ask around. There are huge differences between provider prices, especially between dentists and orthodontists. Just be aware that you may trade quality and expertise when you pay less.
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?
As you stare at those price tags you might begin to wonder, “Does insurance cover Invisalign?” Well, it depends. Some companies provide coverage and some do not. The only way to know for certain is to call your dental insurance program to ask.
Most dental insurance companies have a orthodontic lifetime maximum. Unfortunately, once you exhaust that amount you will be left to pay the rest of the bill.
My lifetime limit was $1500. My insurance provider breaks down reimbursements into quarterly payments received over a twenty-four month period.
I currently receive a $150 check every three months. That’s a whole lot different than getting a check for $1500 up front.
Paying for Invisalign
You can typically pay for Invisalign in one of two ways. You can pay the entire amount up front before treatment begins or you can sign up for a payment plan that will charge you monthly.
When you pay upfront you will typically receive a discount somewhere between 3% and 6%. If you can pay in cash you might receive an additional discount.
If you can wait for Invisalign treatments it might make sense to start saving now. Upfront savings can be as high as $500 to $600.
Initial Consultation
Most Invisalign providers offer a free consultation. That means you don’t have to use the first provider you meet. Instead you can visit a number of dentists and orthodontists until you find one you are comfortable with.
During that initial visit the orthodontist or dentist will look at your teeth, the shape of your mouth, your bite, (underbite, overbite, open bite, etc), and determine if you are a candidate for Invisalign.
While Invisalign can correct many issues it cannot correct all of them. In extreme cases your provider may recommend jaw surgery or traditional braces as alternatives.
Once you choose a provider and determine that you are a candidate for Invisalign the real fun can begin. During your initial consultation your provider will take photographs of your teeth and face along with a series x-rays.
At this point some providers will take a mold of your teeth while others will use a scanning machine to create a three-dimensional, digital image of your teeth.
Here is another place where negative Invisalign reviews swayed my purchasing decision. My Invisalign provider uses 3-D digital imaging equipment, which provides an extremely accurate picture of my teeth.
Apparently molds aren’t quite as accurate. Plus they are unbelievably messy and not very comfortable to produce. The orthodontist fills a mold with goo, presses it into your mouth and waits until it hardens a bit before she removes it. Some people won’t be bothered by this process, but I hate it. I had it done as a teenager eons ago and I still haven’t forgotten it.
The digital scanner is painless, super quick and unbelievably accurate. I decided to use a provider that avoided that whole messy process and I’m super thankful I did. A friend of mine chose a provider who used molds and had a really bad experience with it.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign will use that information to create a step-by-step computer model showing exactly how each aligner will move the teeth over the course of your treatment.
Your provider will review Invisalign’s proposal and make any necessary tweaks before finalizing the plan. Then Invisalign will create the series of aligners that will straighten your teeth. As part of the treatment plan you will receive a ClinCheck image and video that depict the movement of your teeth in each and every tray.
Now you are probably wondering how does Invisalign work and will Invisalign work for you? How do those clear aligners actually move your teeth?
Invisalign captures a three-dimensional image of your teeth and creates a plan to subtly move each tooth over the course of your treatment. Each tray moves one, two or many teeth ever so slightly. The first tray is usually the exception to this rule. The first tray typically doesn’t do anything to help move your teeth. It’s there to help get you used to the Invisalign process.
The subsequent clear aligners will slowly shift teeth into their projected places. After a week or two you will switch to the next tray, which will subtly move your teeth again. Your teeth will continue to move ever so slightly with each new tray. Treatment will end when you don’t need any further movements.
In order to get your teeth to move you must be a vigilant Invisalign patient and keep your trays in for roughly twenty-two hours each day. The trays will not work if you don’t keep them in your mouth. Also, your teeth will try to slide back into their old positions if you don’t wear your trays often enough.
To avoid an extra long Invisalign experience you must wear your Invisalign trays for twenty to twenty-two hours a day. If you don’t your teeth won’t move as expected and you’ll have to extend the timeline for your treatment.
Invisalign can definitely improve your bite and smile, but you have to be a disciplined patient. You must keep your trays in twenty-two hours a day. When you reach the end of your Invisalign journey all those hours will be well worth it.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
I’ve spoken to a lot of Invisalign patients over the past twelve months. Their initial Invisalign estimates ranged between nine months and 1.5 years. Though in reality no one I met finished in the projected amount of time.
In fact, everyone I know spent an additional six to nine months wearing them. Invisalign says this occurs when your teeth don’t move as projected.
During the consultation my orthodontist provided a ten month estimate. I wore the first set of trays for slightly less than one year.
Then I moved to a second set of aligners, because one of my teeth did not move as expected. That resulted in another two months of Invisalign.
I think each case is completely unique, but for the most part the timeline for Invisalign seems to move forward and not back. I’ve never met anyone who finished treatment earlier than expected. Those people may exist I just haven’t met any of them.
To avoid a bad Invisalign experience make certain to pay attention to how well your trays fit. If you notice a problem schedule an appointment to see your Invisalign provider. If your teeth stop tracking you will need further refinements, which will lengthen your overall treatment time.
How Do I Know If Invisalign Is Working?
If your teeth continue to track and your trays are snug and form fitting then the Invisalign system is working. If you begin to notice gaps between the bottom of your teeth and the tray it means some of your teeth aren’t moving as expected.
These tiny pockets of space will grow larger and larger as you continue to switch to future trays. Sometimes your provider will ask you to wear a previous tray until your tooth catches up. Other times they will move on and address the issue with refinement trays.
This typically happens for one of two reasons. Either you didn’t wear your trays the projected twenty-two hours per day or you have a stubborn tooth that is difficult to move.
The majority of negative Invisalign reviews mention the unexpected length of time it takes to complete the Invisalign journey. If your teeth don’t track as expected you will continue to wear trays for much longer than originally projected.
This is another reason to choose an orthodontist rather than a dentist. A dentist will order more Invisalign trays and hope that your teeth eventually move. This can quickly turn a patient’s one year Invisalign journey into two or three.
On the other hand an orthodontist has many different tooth moving options available to them. If a back tooth doesn’t move the orthodontist can give up on Invisalign and move on to metal braces that can quickly move that stubborn tooth for you.
I know, I know, you are trying to avoid metal braces, right? But would you rather stay in Invisalign for twice as long or where braces for a few short months. I’d choose metal braces anytime.
Invisalign Pain: Does Invisalign Hurt?
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Invisalign. The stuff that dentists and orthodontists don’t seem to mention when you sit down for that initial consultation. First, does Invisalign hurt? It sure did for me.
My Invisalign pain was pretty severe for the first few months. The pain wasn’t intense when the trays were on my teeth, but pulling them off was incredibly painful. Chewing for the first few weeks made me cry.
As the months wore on I adjusted to the pain. Either that or the movements were more subtle so the pain was less severe. It does get better with time. I’m now in my second set of trays and my teeth haven’t hurt much at all.
In fact, I can pull my trays off and eat something hard and crunchy without giving it another thought.
If you don’t have a lot of movements or attachments than you might not experience much pain.
If you are considering Invisalign check out the Invisalign thread on Reddit. Invisalign reviews vary by patient. Some clients provide glowing reviews of their providers and experience, while others write a long list of grievances.
That’s why I wanted to add my voice to the Internet. I wanted to provide an honest Invisalign review that covered every aspect of the process that I encountered.
Some Invisalign clients experience a lot of pain throughout the process while others only have issues with specific trays.
Unfortunately, there is really no way to know what you will feel until you get them. Just know that pain is a real possibility. A lot of patients didn’t know that they would be in pain. I wasn’t prepared for severe Invisalign pain either.
It helps to go into your treatment plan knowing what to expect. Yes, you might experience severe pain for a few weeks, but it does get better.
Is Invisalign Noticeable?
Okay, let’s talk about the visibility of Invisalign. If you are choosing Invisalign over standard braces it’s because you don’t want people to see those bright and shiny metal brackets and wires in your mouth, right? You are searching for a subtle tooth moving solution to straighten your smile.
Is Invisalign noticeable? Yes. Invisalign is not invisible, especially if you need a lot of attachments, (often referred to as buttons), on your teeth. People will definitely see and notice them.
Think about it this way. In close up photographs they will be visible, but in group shots you can’t really see them.
This isn’t a problem as long as you aren’t under the impression that no one will notice your desire for straighter teeth. If you think they won’t be visible you will be disappointed. They can definitely be seen.
Eating with Invisalign?
Okay, here is another thing you don’t realize about Invisalign until you get them. Eating becomes a real pain. It takes five minutes to brush and floss your teeth after every meal. You will brush your teeth three times a day. That means you will spend at least fifteen minutes in the bathroom each day.
If you spend fifteen minutes going to the bathroom and brushing your teeth you have less than two hours to eat per day. That may seem like a decent amount of time, but think about how long it takes to receive two courses in a restaurant or to wait a few minutes after dinner to eat dessert.
You know what’s really hard about Invisalign? You can’t taste your food while you cook it. Imagine cooking a really delicious meal and not being able to season it appropriately. You can’t figure out if you need more salt because you can’t take your Invisalign out for just a second to taste it and then pop them back in.
You can’t do that because every time you take your aligners out you have to brush your teeth again. And if you taste while you cook you will have to rush to eat to meet the twenty-two hour rule.
Snacking is out of the question. It’s just not worth it to brush and floss for a tiny meal, so in the beginning I only ate two meals a day. My teeth hurt so much in the beginning that it was easier to turn away food, but I was constantly hungry.
Invisalign will radically change the way you eat. You will find yourself hungry at parties, but unwilling to eat. It’s a lot of effort to brush after every meal. When you do eat you will spend the whole time watching the clock so you know exactly how many minutes you can spare before popping them back in.
Eating With Invisalign: The Invisalign Diet
That brings me to the Invisalign Diet. If you’ve ever wanted to lose weight and have your teeth look straight than Invisalign might be a good choice for you. I’m only half kidding.
As I mentioned above you will not snack if you have Invisalign. You will not even want to eat three meals a day. When you eat you will eat quickly so you can put your aligners back in. In other words eating with Invisalign is an absolute pain.
If you are prone to getting cavities you will most likely get cavities with Invisalign even though you brush and floss rigorously.
I find myself limiting sugar a lot. Two bites of chocolate cake aren’t worth three new fillings!
How to Clean Invisalign?
Having Invisalign is like a glimpse into old age. I can now picture myself taking out my dentures and popping them into a cup of bubbly, green cleaner.
I keep a mug on the counter specifically for my Invisalign trays. Along with an extra large box of Polident three minute cleaner. Any time I eat I drop the clear aligners into that mug and throw in half a Polident.
It helps to keep my Invisalign clean and clear, though it’s important to note that I never drink anything other than clean, pure water when they are in.
I know some folks drink beer or other beverages but I a too prone to cavities to risk that stuff sitting on my teeth while my aligners are on.
If I’m out somewhere I place my aligners in the case and brush them with a soft tooth brush and toothpaste before putting them back in.
Invisalign makes me avoid eating away from home. It’s another reason why I feel like I’m on the Invisalign diet. It’s not particularly pleasant to brush your teeth in a public rest room. I don’t want to use the sink water to clean my brush and I don’t want any part of my toothbrush to touch the sink. If I can avoid eating out I do.
Invisalign Black Triangles
Invisalign brochures typically show bright white, perfectly aligned teeth surrounded by pink gums. Unfortunately, this is not always the end result.
More often than not gums can’t form between overlapping teeth. When those crowded teeth are straightened black triangles form between the newly straightened teeth.
If your teeth are triangular in shape black triangles are more likely to form. When teeth are rectangular in shape they can touch each other and sit side-by-side in your mouth without showing any unwanted space. Unfortunately, triangle teeth only touch at the tips. As you traverse to the gum line the teeth no longer touch and black triangles appear. These gaps appear between teeth and between the tooth and the gum.
Treatment may include interproximal reduction (IPR), which involves shaving the sides of your teeth so the teeth can touch again. Dental bonding and papilla injections can also be used to fill in the missing space.
While I realized this was a small possibility I wasn’t aware of the extra work or maintenance involved in maintaining these ‘fixes’ over the course of my lifetime.
For the time being I’ve decided not to fix the small black triangles that have formed between my lower teeth. My retainers are still pushing my teeth together ever so slightly so I’ll see how things look when I receive my permanent ones.
I would encourage you to ask your provider about black triangles. Some don’t like to perform IPR, so this is something you should discuss in advance. It’s perfectly understandable to feel unhappy about Invisalign if black triangles form. No one wants perfectly straight teeth with dark triangles between them.
Your provider can’t guarantee that these won’t show up, but they can tell you how how likely they are and how they prefer to deal with them when and if they do.
Invisalign Retainer – The Fun Never Ends
In a perfect world when you finish all of your trays your Invisalign journey will be over, right? Well, kind of. When your treatment plan is complete the orthodontist will make an Invisalign retainer for you. You will wear it for roughly twenty-two hours a day for a few weeks or months. Then you switch to wearing it only at night.
The retainer is important. It ensures that your teeth don’t revert to their original places in your mouth. And after all of the pain and not eating you will never want to go through this experience again.
So you will be more than happy to wear that retainer for the rest of your life!
Is Invisalign Worth It?
When former Invisalign users saw my aligners they often shared their stories. They told me how long they had to wear them and how difficult it was to avoid snacking for months and sometimes years on end.
Their stories are all different. Some had gum issues, some had bite issues and most had crooked teeth. As we talked I ask them all the same question: “Is Invisalign worth it?” While I wore aligners they all told me it definitely was.
My Invisalign journey is now over and I agree! Invisalign is worth it. My teeth are straighter and my bite feels perfect!
Will My Teeth Look Perfect After Invisalign?
Are you expecting perfect teeth after Invisalign is over? If so, you are not alone. Most patients expect perfect smiles.
Did I achieve a perfect smile? No. One of my bottom teeth is ever so slightly crooked after treatment. Does it line up perfectly with my other bottom teeth? No, it doesn’t. Can anyone else tell? Doubtfully.
Did tiny black triangles open up between a few of my bottom teeth? Yup, I have those too. Does anyone notice? I doubt it.
Invisalign Reality Versus Expectations
After staring at your teeth day in and day out for weeks, months, and possibly years, you will become hyper aware of how your teeth look. You will also stare at other people’s teeth to see if they are straight, white, and beautiful.
But here’s the truth, very few people are staring intensely at your smile. While your teeth may not be perfect, most other people aren’t as critical of your smile as you are.
Your expectation of Invisalign may not match reality when the work is complete, but your smile should look a whole lot better than when you started.
Does Invisalign Work?
Since this is an honest review I wanted to include a few extra details about my Invisalign experience. Invisalign is an alternative to braces, but before signing up I wondered if it would really work. I wondered if Invisalign was legit. Could those clear aligners really move all of my teeth the way the ClinCheck video projected?
The answer is not exactly. Orthodontists have a much easier time making some tooth movements with traditional braces. While Invisalign moved most of my teeth it could not move one of them as quickly as braces.
Does Invisalign always work? In my case it did work for the majority of my teeth, but one of my back molars was severely rotated and Invisalign was unable to rotate it properly into the correct position. Even though I wore my aligners twenty-two hours a day one of my teeth failed to track properly.
Invisalign Versus Braces
My orthodontist said we could try another round of refinements or simply place three metal braces on my teeth to move that one stubborn tooth more quickly.
I opted for braces, because they couldn’t be seen when I smiled. The tooth moved in just three weeks. Invisalign may have worked, but it would have taken months compared to traditional braces. In this case Invisalign was inferior to braces.
Invisalign works for many patients, but in the case of this one tooth metal braces were needed and preferred.
Some patients believe Invisalign is a scam, but it can work for you. It depends on what adjustments need to be made to your teeth. In some cases braces are simply better than Invisalign. The right orthodontist can help you decide what’s right for you.
Your Turn
Have you used Invisalign? If so, how was your experience? Was the time and money worth it to you? Did Invisalign work for you?
My husband is about six months into his Invisalign journey, and so far it’s been pretty positive. He had more discomfort early on, but now he’s not really feeling a lot of pain.
Our insurance has a $2500 lifetime maximum, and we opted to pay the full Invisalign amount upfront (which saved $600, if I recall correctly) and then get reimbursed quarterly after that.
It was a little painful to give that huge chunk of change to start with, but I couldn’t say no to the $600 discount. $600 is nothing to sneeze at.
$2500 is a sweet maximum. That’s higher than most I’ve read about so far. We also opted to pay upfront, because $600 is a BIG deal. A very BIG deal. I’m glad that your husband isn’t dealing with a lot of pain. It definitely gets easier as the days turn into weeks and months. I knew it would hurt some, but I didn’t expect to be standing in front of a mirror crying those first few weeks!
Wonderful recap of Invisalign. I unfortunately went with a dentist for Invisalign, who advertised as a Preferred Provider. I paid up front and shortly after I started my treatment he ‘stepped’ out of his practice. He has had rotating dentists filling in with his practice. I may be a record here, but have been in invisalign for 6-1/2 years! I had metal braces 25 years ago and a few teeth had moved, so I wasn’t even a gnarly mouthful of twisted teeth going into treatment! I like you, have one tooth that is rotated, and a bit stubborn. My problem is it’s a tooth in the front! To make matters worse, the dentist who owns the firm does not want to put the money into new equipment. His Invisalign equipment is broken or out of date and his office has reverted back to icky-sticky molds with the old fashioned putty. It’s ridiculous but I’m NOT giving up!!
My dentist said that you are able to switch you is doing your case for free if you need to! We are moving out of state in a year which is why I asked him.
You’ll need to ask your current dentist if he will move funds over to your new dentist. If he is unwilling to transfer the funds the second dentist will be working for free.
Holy smokes Diana! 6 and a half years! That’s a lot of time in Invisalign. I do think dentists are stuck with limited skills. I have heard a lot of stories like yours where orthodontists could have used alternative methods to move those tricky, stubborn teeth. I wish you the best. Hopefully you are only a few trays away from finishing! Thank you for sharing your story.
I really appreciate this article and I’m glad I am seeing it so early. I just received my results from my consultation at my dentist today. As I was reading your article all of the warning signs from my consultation experience have come to the forefront. I’m definitely not going to use my dentist.
First of all, she used molds.
Second: had to redo the molds a few weeks later
Third: Ive been offered a discount with out discussing upfront payment vs payment plan and it was a whopping 15%. My cost would be $2400 after insurance of $2k and the discount of $780 (15%).
4th: She said it would 38 weeks. That’s shorter than anything I’ve heard so far and I have multiple twisted teeth.
5: Some teeth need shaving down due to crowding as well. I’m not sure if she’s equiped to handle shaving my teeth or the movement of my teeth.
I’ll definitely take your advice and look for an orthodontist.
Thank you!
I’m so glad you found this post helpful. I think a lot of people pay for Invisalign without knowing all that can wrong. It’s best to know which questions to ask before starting the process. Good luck!
I am also glad I read this. I just had my 2nd consult or 2nd opinion if you will. My insurance won’t cover any so I’m on my own.
So far both experiences have been great. But, I am so glad I went for the 2nd opinion. The first was $6200 after all the discounts but the 2nd one was $4200.
After reading this I also learned that Invisalign has a rating system and the cheaper was a diamond when the more expensive was a gold. Crazy how it all works.
Thanks for all the great info!
I’m so glad that this post helped you choose a provider you feel confident with. I think choosing a provider is one of the MOST important parts of the Invisalign process. Good luck and check back in to let me know how it goes!
After reading this . I was like what the …. I need coffee and tea . But one thing good is is easier to maintain then traditional braces . The dentist said i may need to pull teeth to make space,
Decided to go for x ray and mould to see how . Pull teeth is out of the topic as my teeth is deeply rooted . plus yellowish invasalign are ok as long as it is clean and not obvious will do .
I have been wearing trays for about 20 months (was quoted 12-25). All was well until I had one front tooth rotate the wrong way. Of course it was actually straight when I started and I have spent the last 8 months trying to get it to go back! I am going to an orthodontist thankfully, but I am not sure when to give up! I don’t think my trays are made correctly as they don’t lay flat on my teeth. I have had at least 5 scans and sets of trays. I don’t know what to do at this point. Not sure I would do it again.
Which tooth is rotated? Is it in the front or the back? Would you be willing to use braces for a short time to correct it? If so, you might want to ask your orthodontist if this is an alternative you could try. My orthodontist was able to apply three small braces to my teeth. One each side of the twisted tooth, plus the twisted tooth to achieve full rotation. Invisalign may have worked eventually, but I wasn’t willing to wait a year for that one tooth. My twisted tooth was in the back though so it wasn’t visible when I smiled.
For what it’s worth, I am in my last week of a SmileDirectClub aligner program, and I could not be happier. I had braces as a kid, but my teeth gradually shifted over the course of about 20 years, to the point of one of my front incisors being crowded back a significant amount, and the two adjacent incisors crossing over that one. I was extremely self conscious and embarrassed about my smile, and rarely showed my teeth in photos or in person with friends. I have friends who are dentists, but still I procrastinated for years to do anything about it.
I went with SmileDirect mainly because I didn’t want an orthodontist to shame me for letting this get so out of hand for so long. The price was certainly a lot more attractive too, compared to braces or Invisalign. I visited a SmileDirect facility with so-so trained technicians who used some pretty sophisticated imaging devices to create digital models of my teeth. I guess they couldn’t even screw things up. It’s remarkable how well this technology worked, and I got my entire set of 15 aligners within a few weeks. Even with the severity of my crowded and crossed teeth, the plan lasted only 5 months. I’m amazed and thrilled with the results.
I’m glad to hear that SmileDirect worked out for you. I’ve heard a lot of negative reviews of the process. It’s good to read about a success story.
do you need to pull your teeth to make way for it . i have 4 down and one up or overcrowded teeth and the overbite about 2mm in size ?
The only person who can answer that is an Invisalign provider. If you have a complex case visit more than one dentist or orthodontist and make sure you feel comfortable with their treatment plan before signing up for Invisalign.
I have invisalign and feel totally ripped off. My teeth did move but instead of new liners every 2 weeks, I have waited over a month for my new ones and my dentist just called and changed my appointment again!! The time didn’t suit his office. My teeth have moved back to where they were and I feel it can’t be good to keep moving the same teeth back and forth. All this pain and irritation for no return on my money, which, of course, I had to pay upfront.
I’m sorry to hear that. Is your appointment rescheduling due to covid-19 or has your dentist done this before. I imagine having Invisalign during a pandemic isn’t easy. It was hard enough to wait through all of those trays in good times. Do your old aligners still fit? Sometimes the dentist will ask you to go back a tray or two to help your teeth catch back up. I never had to do this but I did hear the orthodontist tell other patients to do that when the aligners didn’t fit. I wonder if your dentist will suggest that for you.
I’m looking into the process and this article is invaluable! Thank you, Thank you-
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for the very honest article. I was just told by my new dentist (my old one changed practices – i really liked him) that I should have braces to correct two crowded teeth on the bottom. The only reason I am concerned is they have shifted and now hit a tooth on the upper and cause some trauma to it. The other option is to shave down the lower teeth., so they don’t hit the upper tooth. Other than this issue, I have almost perfectly straight and very good teeth. I was going to entertain the Invisalign and after reading this article, I think I might just ask the dentist to shave down the lower teeth. I think I will see an Orthodontist to get a second opinion before making any decisions. I really appreciated your recount of your experience.
I’m so glad you found this helpful. Invisalign consultations should be free, so it certainly wouldn’t hurt for you to meet with an orthodontist who can look at your situation and provide their input. A reputable orthodontist won’t suggest Invisalign if it isn’t necessary. Best of luck!
My mother decided to have me start my Invisalign treatment right before COVID happened. While my orthodontist temporarily closed, a family member that worked there was able to get me my first 2 trays (without buttons). The first thing I noticed about the trays were that they were very sharp (regardless of being filed down prior to me wearing them). I was given my own file as well, but it didn’t make much of a difference so I used a dremel to smooth its edges (with the guidance of a YouTube video). It worked well and the trays cut the inside of my cheeks way less than before.
When my orthodontist’s office reopened, I was given buttons and 8 trays to be worn and changed at the end of every new week. With the attachments on my teeth, I feel more tension and some (but not unbearable) discomfort on my lower jaw. Other than that, everything feels great. I’m currently on week 4 out of 19 and week 2 out of 8 for the trays I’ve just been given.
Also, I was wondering if anyone else had this issue. Every so often, one side of my jaw locks up which makes it extremely painful to fully open my mouth or chew. I clench my teeth more because of the trays in my mouth, but I don’t know why this happens so frequently.
I’ve never had a locking jaw issue. This is definitely something I would mention to your orthodontist. I know that Invisalign can cause TMJ issues, but I believe it is very rare. Still you want to talk about this now and make certain that moving your teeth isn’t causing a greater issue. Good luck with your Invisalign process!
I don’t know if Invisalign is a scam. But it certainly is close to being a horrible alternative to traditional braces, atleast in my case. It certainly didn’t seem to have any control over tooth movement especially intrusion, and has scant respect for occlusion/ the way we bite. As a result, am left with a supposedly beautiful smile and a disastrous bite that is simply causing excessive teeth wear
I have heard this complaint many times and found many posts and articles stating the same thing. I think it’s incredibly important to make certain that orthodontists and dentists fix a patient’s bite, not just make their teeth look nice and pretty.
My original orthodontist straightened my teeth when I was a kid, but my bite was entirely off. This caused damage to many of my teeth and teeth grinding too. That’s why I had to get Invisalign in the first place. If the teeth aren’t lining up you will definitely end up with additional problems.
I’m glad you mentioned this because hopefully it will prevent someone else from encountering the same issue. This is another reason I think orthodontists should be used over dentists. I think they are better at focusing on bite issues and not just teeth straightening. It is one of the reasons my own dentists wouldn’t take my case. She said my teeth were straight, but the bite issues were too significant to undergo Invisalign without an orthodontist. I’m so glad she sent me to an expert who could help.
Have you finished your treatment?
I just had a consultation for invisilign and will start the process in a few weeks. I am so excited to have straight teeth and my overbite fixed. I am glad I did some research and know what to expect regarding pain. I also have TMJ and I am hoping it helps my jaw alignment as well. The hardest part will be to stop snacking as I am a grazer. I am extremely fortunate that my insurance is very good and covers up to $7500.00
$7500 worth of coverage is amazing! Giving up snacking was extremely hard, but you will get used it. In the beginning my trays hurt so much I didn’t want to take them out. Going out with them was harder, but since we are in the midst of COVID you might not have anywhere to go, which will make it easier. Going to parties or BBQs was the worst for me.
I started about a year ago, and I’m pretty happy with the results. I suppose I was *this close* to being a unicorn… Instead of the projected two weeks per tray, I went to 1.5 weeks per tray pretty early on. Unfortunately my appointment for removing them was mid-March (3 months early). I finally got in the office in July, and I need some refinement trays (though given how bad my teeth were, I’m good with that). Now I’m waiting on that set to get to the office, but I think the factory that makes them is slowed down a bit. Soon…
I’m sorry that COVID is delaying your completion. Refinement trays are totally normal. I haven’t met anyone yet that didn’t need them! Hopefully you only need one round!
Hello everyone,
I have started with invisalign 3 weeks ago, I have 14 trials total.
Today I met family friend who is dentist and she said that it was very bad for health of my teeth.
Firstly, for roots of teeth since I am 32, then because of ACID that is higher and can damage teeth and she said that my tooth can became yellow.
Does anyone has bad experience after finishing the process? Thank you.
Cavities can occur more often with Invisalign. Is that what the dentist means by ACID? If you limit sugar during treatment that will certainly cut down on the amount of cavities you might get, but I will say that I brushed a ton and still got two. I did not have any issues with my teeth after treatment, but I know roots can be damaged. I believe that is relatively rare and that the dentist or orthodontist typically runs x-rays prior to treatment to ensure you don’t have short roots before starting. If you have concerns I would follow up with the provider performing your treatment. They should be able to put your mind at ease.
Thank you very much for your reply.
I meant on cavity.
I was so worried and upset, happy to hear that you didn’t have any issues after treatment
I went through the tray process for 1.5 yrs and had minimal movement. Brushed as I was instructed to after meals. After moving into the retainer phase, my enamel started to get soft. I have had 3 teeth break and my dentist didn’t offer a plan or cause of this issue. After much research, I learned that you should not brush directly after eating as the acid in your mouth can cause softness of enamel and erode the enamel. I went to another dentist to get this solved because my original dentist never offered a plan of attack. I have only had 2 cavities in my life up until age 56. I now have to have 4 crowns and 7 fillings. The 4 crowns are added to 2 that my previous dentist did after breakage. She was negligent in all aspects. She didn’t properly check my teeth along the way, she didn’t give me good instructions. This severe damage could have been stopped early on if she had done her job as a dental care provider. I wish that I had never gone down the Invisalign path. Everything that I have learned about how to care for my teeth during the process came from my research after the damage was done. I do not recommend Invisalign with a standard dentist. I would imagine that a specialist would have been more thorough.
Also I don’t eat sugar and very few carbs.
Thank you for your comment. My orthodontist did instruct me to wait at least fifteen minutes after eating for the very reasons you mentioned, but I completely understand your frustrations. I wish my dentist had informed me of the damage my bite was causing to my teeth long before I got Invisalign.
I saw the same dentist for years and they never mentioned gum recession or damage from grinding my teeth. The gum recession couldn’t be corrected after the fact and I was left with a few small black triangles as a result of teeth straightening in the front.
Had they mentioned the issue sooner I would have gotten Invisalign before the damage became severe. After the fact, (I went to a periodontist who recommended going to an orthodontist), my dentist said, “It’s a good thing we told you to get Invisalign your gum and tooth damage is extensive.” They did not tell me to get braces or Invisalign!!! And the damage that had already been caused could not be corrected. So I completely understand your anger.
I think dentists and orthodontists don’t always provide the information we need. Thank you for leaving this comment so others will know about your issue and hopefully avoid it.
I agree that they need to be thorough with information. Sorry that you had the bad experience with damage to your gums! Unfortunately, the biggest complaint that I hear from friends about their dentist is that they are always in a hurry. Thanks for creating this site. My now ‘previous dentist’ seemed to act like she did nothing wrong.
I agree with that ‘in a hurry’ comment. Actually one of the reasons I chose my orthodontist for Invisalign is because she was so patient and understanding. She doesn’t rush me at all when I have my appointments. In general doctors and dentists rush us in and out these days. I think a lot of information is lost in that rush! Thank you again for leaving a comment and I wish you the best of luck from this point forward!
I finished my Invisalign treatment Aug 13, 2020 after 6 months. My problem is with Kālos Invisalign. I paid up front for everything but now they aren’t open. They won’t answer their phones. I have been going back and forth with a representative that says she is not allowed to answer questions. So, now I am going to be out of pocket on an office visit, the holders taken off and two retainers, because I will have to go to my dentist to have him finish something I already paid for. They sent me transfer papers but no money.
Frustrated in Frisco, Tx
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve never heard of this company. Did they go bankrupt? Whatever you do make sure you have retainers made if you don’t already have them. Your teeth will shift back if you don’t have something to keep them in place. Even if it costs extra it will be well worth it in the long run! Some retainers cost as little as $300. You might be able to find a dentist who is willing to give you a discount if you explain your predicament.
Would like to know: do longer treatment time than expected cost more? You said you needed 3 weeks metal braces… did you pay for that too? I am wondering if the initial price can change if my teeth are stubborn…
I did not pay extra money for braces. Correcting my teeth was all included in one price. Confirm that your orthodontist will include extra treatment if necessary, but most will do it without charging more.
I am on tray 11 of Invisaligns. I have seen significant chsnge so far. The first few weeks ny teeth were very sore when removing them and trying to eat. Id take them out a few minutes before eating and seemed to help. Also my teeth are vert crowded and i was changing them every 7 days and was having bad TMJ issues jaw pain and ear pain. So went to orthodontist and he adjusted me to change them every 14 days and the pain stopped after a few days and I have been good ever since. I am happy with my results so far. I got then in May and was told 24 months due to over crowding. I highly recommend to try then if you are a candidate
Thank you for the comment. I also switched trays every 14 days in the beginning. I switched to 7 after refinements. I’m glad it’s going well for you so far!
I wish I had never begun Invisalign. First, all their advertisements are basically lies, since none of them mention glueing things to your teeth (so, not invisible at all) or shaving teeth down (because I don’t need that enamel?) It seems like Invisalign takes the easiest way out by making your teeth smaller–my teeth had all fit straight in my mouth until one started moving two decades later. They should not have needed to make my teeth smaller. Then they said 11 trays, and I finished the 11th, and the single tooth that I wanted fixed still isn’t aligned (and the aligners fit perfectly–you can see in the aligner itself that it’s not aligned), and they screwed up my bite so badly that my front teeth slam together when I close my mouth. My dentist said I needed “refinement” because the bite issue is not okay. Invisalign now says “refinement” will take 10 more trays, and they want to grind more teeth! So basically it went so badly the first time that I need a complete re-do. I will never recommend Invisalign to anyone.
Thank you for your comment. I think it’s important for patients to read about Invisalign before starting. Especially reading negative reviews like the one you just posted. My orthodontist did not perform much IPR on my teeth. She said they look unnatural when you shave too much off of the sides of them. Initially she suggested pulling some teeth, but I was opposed to that option and somehow she made my bite better without doing that.
Does your dentist think your case will be fully resolved after these final 10 trays? 10 more weeks isn’t too awful in the grand scheme of things, but I can definitely understand your frustration. I was thrilled when my ortho suggested braces rather than going through another round of refinement for one stubborn tooth I had. It was months of Invisalign or three weeks with braces!
I do hope you’ll come back and comment when this 10 weeks is over and let us know how it went! All the best.
This article was SUPER helpful! I’m on week one. I have a lot of movement so I’ll be wearing them for awhile. I do have a question. It’s hard for me to talk in them. Is this normal? Is this a fit issue? Will it get better?
Thank you for your comment. I had a small lisp for the first few days wearing Invisalign. Is that what you mean? That’s totally normal and will get better and back to normal in time.
Wish I read something like this before. I was an Invisalign wearer and switched to braces and I love braces!
Invisalign is such so complicated when compared to braces! Thanks for the honest review!
Thank you. I wish I had found a review like this when I was getting started with Invisalign. I’m glad you found it helpful.
Hi Ma’am,
Do you know anything about the Sparks aligner system as compared to invisalign?
Are these products a bad idea if a person has crowns? Should I consider braces then afterall?
Thanks,
David
Hi David, I am not familiar with Sparks aligner systems. Do you see an orthodontist or dentist to use them? I would not use a system that is not under regular guidance with a skilled technician.
Well, now I’m scared. I have had my trays for 4 days. I’m 47 years old and have bone loss. I have a periodontist, dentist, and orthodontist. I have been hesitant to do it but my 3 providers have encouraged me. I am supposed to be on a slow track because of the bone loss. I have attachments on almost every tooth. So far, no pain. Not sure if that is good or bad.
In reading this thread, I will now wait a bit before flossing and brushing after eating. I guess I also need to give up my sugar. Hopefully it’s not too late.
Thanks for your review.
If three different specialists recommended Invisalign then it sounds like you need it. I was really surprised that my periodontist suggested it when I went in for a gum surgery consultation. Give yourself a bit of time between eating and flossing, but not too much and you should be fine.
I had a consultation with my dentist and the invisalgn aligners will arrive in a week. Though I am excited about the process, I have some doubts when it comes to retainers, as my dentist says it’s not required at all after the treatment.. Could you please throw some light on this? did you wear retainers? if so, how long do you expect to be wearing the retainers?
Retainers are definitely necessary after Invisalign. I’ve never heard a dentist or orthodontist say otherwise. If you don’t wear them your teeth will shift. I wear retainers and have been told to expect to wear them the rest of my life. I put them in at night and wear them for 8 hours. Eventually I can skip a night or two during the week, but I can never get rid of them altogether. As far as I know everyone needs them after treatment. I’m not an expert though so I would see if you can contact another Invisalign provider to ask for confirmation.
So far had problems with Invisalign. Though my case is complicated because I have a big overbite and gotten told I would need surgery to correct my overbite which I decided not to go with the jaw surgery.
Oh and I gag easily which if I known before hand I would get a crap ton of saliva I would of gone with braces. Because gaging easily doesn’t help.
A year go I started with Invisalign. Went with Invisalign instead of braces because my orthodontist said it wouldn’t be better to because of my gums. The first year didn’t have any problems this year I had a lot of problems. My top trays weren’t fitting and I gotten told by my orthodontist to eat with the Invisalign in and was clenching my mouth a lot to keep them in as well as clenching at a night time.
August had to get a tooth out that was on my gum. So had to have top tray off for a month then when I gotten told to ware the top in till the new tray arrived it was hanging down on one side so decided that I wasn’t going to ware them in. then my trays we late turning up because of the pandamic
September or October I think it might of been october I stared wearing the old tray back in even though It still hangs down on at one side.
late October started getting jaw popping and pain.
November dislocated my jaw because of yawning too wide and gotten told at the appointment my jaw was still tight and had to not ware any Invisalign at all and to do jaw exercises till the next appointment that was in December.
Just recently had my December appointment my jaw is no longer tight have full movement back and i still don’t have the top in because it won’t fit in at the back so I had to have another scan done so it been 4 months really without them in because I don’t think I can class the small amount of time I did have them in but I do have my bottom back and I gotten told by my orthodontist to gradually go back to waring them because when I gotten home from my appointment my bottom jaw started getting stabbing pain every time I closed my mouth.
Also my jaw popping is still there the left is worse than the right because the left was the side that started being sore and popping and it’s the side that was dislocated.
Oh also a year ago I gotten told it would be 3 years with Invisalign in and 74 trays of Invisalign and gotten to tray 14 on the bottom and tray 15 on the top before I gotten jaw popping and my jaw getting dislocated and at the moment this new bottom tray is tray 2 so idk if that means I started again or if it just means because it’s a new batch Invisalign.
I’m sorry you are struggling with Invisalign. It sounds like you have a very complex case, but I have never heard of anyone being told to eat with trays in. I don’t even see how you could chew food with plastic covering the tops of your teeth. I wonder if that is leading to other issues for you. If you feel like things aren’t going well speak to your provider about your concerns. Teeth shift quickly, so if you go even a short time without your trays in they are likely to shift, which requires new molds to be made.
Hello! I have just read your blog as well as all of the remarks from readers and your comments back to them. Several issues were brought up about Invisalign, malocclusion, IPR, cost, TMJ pain, extending treatment, and black triangles. Approximately 60% of all adult Invisalign cases will result in one or more black triangles when completed. When teeth are crowded, as you know, and are moved side by side they spread out leaving black triangle spaces near the gum line. I work for a company named Bioclear in Washington that can help. Though in the dental world Bioclear does much more than just close black triangles without tooth reduction, this is what made us famous among dentists and dental schools. Dr David Clark is the creator of the Bioclear conservative restoration system and found your post fascinating. Here is an animation video to show you how Bioclear can help all who suffer from ugly black triangles after orthodontic treatment, weather from Invisalign or metal braces, easily and without any removal of healthy enamel. No drill needed.
IG DavidCook_Bioclear for more examples.
Thanks for the great article you wrote and the time you put into it.
David
I had braces as a child in the 70’s. My parents worked hard to provide me with braces as we did not have a lot of money. My teeth and bite were beautiful. Over the years I took special care with my teeth since I knew what my parents had sacrificed for them. In November 2019 my dentist told me that there was a slight problem with two of my front teeth, one was turning and one was pushing on it. I was told that there was a possibility of losing one or both teeth. He suggested Invisalign to solve the problem. I agreed and unfortunately I did not do any research. I finished the trays with the pain and inconvenience listed with other users. I clenched my teeth the whole time I had the trays. Once I got the retainers the pain from clenching became so bad it made chewing difficult, I had not had a clenching problem before the trays. When I told the dentist what I was experiencing with the retainers, he blamed it on the grinding and said we would have to splint my bottom teeth and I would have to have a night guard. I told him my bite was not right any more and it bothered me. I was told I was not used to the new bite. They gave me fluoride to use for the sensitivity and made an appointment for the other work. In the meantime, the pain got worse. I simply quit wearing the retainers and all pain quit. When I called the dentist and told them that, they told me I had to wear the retainers. I compromised and started wearing only the last bottom tray and that is working. However, when I went in to get the splint I told him I did not want the night guard. He would not splint the teeth unless I got the night guard. He told me I would have to do it sooner or later. Then he told me I had severe bone loss on my front teeth due to my clenching but he didn’t think I would loose the teeth for awhile. He also told me that the retainers were exactly like the last trays and couldn’t be the problem. I went home in tears. All I wanted was the two teeth fixed. I am 60 years old and just wanted to take care of the gift my parents gave me. I would also recommend doing a lot of research and getting second opinions. I have had my dentist for 25 years and have always been happy with him and his staff. Not sure where I will go from here. And I got the black triangles and gum recession. On a happy note, my smile is pretty and most of the pain has gone away. I have been learning ways to keep my jaws relaxed at night and trying not to stress too much.
Hi Cindy, Thank you for your comment. I’ve been told that I must wear my retainers for life. Like you I had braces as a kid, but everything shifted. I’ve vowed to never let that happen again. I also grind my teeth at night which was making things much worse for me. My retainer works as a night guard for me. I wish you the best of luck as you move forward with your dental work. I hope that they are able to stop the recession and keep things stable from this point forward.