What are the disadvantages?

In truth, the advantages of the Invisalign programme far outweigh any disadvantages. Provided you are using Invisalign for an appropriate level of orthodontic work, it usually proves to be reliable, effective and comfortable. Don’t forget, the Invisalign programme also has the added benefit of being able to simulate how the teeth will move in advance of the treatment being applied. So patients can see, understand and approve the level of change that they can expect.

With such clear parameters in place, the only instances where Invisalign does not provide the required results are caused, more often than not, by human error on the part of the dentist or the patient. For example, because Invisalign uses aligners rather than metal, wire and elastics, it provides a relatively light level of force compared to some other orthodontic products on the market. Therefore, if you have particularly severe orthodontic problems, Invisalign may not be the appropriate recommendation.

In the majority of cases, Invisalign is used to realign teeth, correct a smile and to provide a fast, discrete cosmetic enhancement. Any more significant issues may require a treatment that is perhaps less comfortable to wear, but which in the long run will provide far more sustainable results.

The second reason why Invisalign may not be completely effective is due to patient interference. Because the aligners are removable, it can be tempting to wear them less often than is recommended. If this happens, however, it simply means that less pressure is exerted on the teeth and therefore they take longer to move.

This is one of the reasons why many dentists consider Invisalign to be more appropriate to adults. For teenagers who haven’t necessarily ‘chosen’ their treatment and who feel embarrassed by it, the aligners can be too easy to remove or discard.