Orthodontics has come a long way since the conventional metal braces of days gone by. Today there is a huge amount of choice, and more and more people are straightening their teeth with invisible braces, known as aligners. Aligners offer many advantages over their traditional counterparts, not least the fact that they are incredibly discreet. Their popularity has meant competition, with more and more companies vying for attention. However, while Invisalign is no longer the only brand you can choose from, it is the only one that can straighten your teeth and correct your bite, and it does it twice as fast as the competition.
What are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligners are orthodontic devices that look like clear plastic trays. They work by applying a small amount of pressure to force tooth movement. To use aligners, a mould is taken of the patient’s teeth to create a digital scan. Computer models are then used to suggest a series of stages in between the current and desired teeth positions. A number of aligners are then created for each stage of movement. The treatment takes around 12 months on average, with each aligner in place for a few weeks at a time.
Clear aligners are an amazingly discreet way to straighten teeth. But it’s not just about what they look like; it’s about how they work. Aligners need to not only straighten your teeth but to correct your bite, giving you a great-looking smile and a set of teeth that work just the way they should.
Invisalign – The World’s Most Advanced Aligner
Invisalign was the first brand of clear aligner to hit the mainstream and since then millions of people have used Invisalign to transform their smiles. What set Invisalign apart from the very beginning was its commitment to research and development. Where some of the alternative aligner brands relax and lose substantial energy, Invisalign remain strong. And, it all comes down to the innovative material, its SmartTrack technology.
To create the world’s most advanced aligner, Invisalign has focused on:
- The science – Invisalign has been doing research in biomechanics and material science for decades. Over 260 materials have been vigorously tested by its team of engineers to produce the multi-layered and highly elastic version that is used today.
- The material – Invisalign aligners are made of SmartTrack material which enables them to fit snugly over teeth to improve the control of tooth movement, gently moving them and even rotating them when needed.
- The results – research and material have come together to create an aligner that is aesthetic for daytime wear, produces gentle yet constant force and fits well.
Invisalign is a company that continues to research and develop their product, and the SmartTrack technology that is used today has shown statistically significant improvements to its previous aligners. Invisalign’s unique material enables the aligner to straighten teeth two times faster than any other on the market. And, with the superior fit offered by Invisalign aligners, patients can be confident that their treatment will be a success.
What Are the Alternatives?
Since Invisalign arrived on the market in the 1990s, there have been several other brands that have tried to compete. In fact, there are now around 27 different brands of clear aligners. The competitors seemingly offer similar treatments using similar products. However, while the aligners might look similar to the untrained eye, they don’t work in the same way and provide the same benefits.
The biggest competitor to Invisalign is Clear Correct. While the company has seen success, the aligners are made from plastic material that Invisalign was using many years ago. Since then, Invisalign has developed its own patented thermoplastic material, based on eight years of research. It is the only company that has been able to produce an aligner product based on such extensive research and a huge database of real-life cases.
As well as the bigger names amongst the competition, there have also been several new startups coming on the marketplace. These companies are aiming to cut the cost of clear aligners and make them more accessible. Indeed, there has been an influx of cheaper do-it-yourself aligner treatments in Sydney. However, while the cost may seem appealing, there is no professional consultation or supervision, and therefore no way to know that your teeth movements are doing what they should be doing. Adverse effects include poorly fitting aligners, damage and loosening of teeth and gum recession.
Moving teeth is a complicated undertaking. It needs careful planning and regular monitoring with only the best materials and methods. Those who opt for self-administered alternatives to Invisalign chance damaging their teeth and spending more money fixing the problem afterwards.
Is Invisalign worth the money?
As we’ve discussed, it is Invisalign’s patented SmartTrack material which sets it apart from the competition. The SmartTrack material enables Invisalign to offer a new level of treatment performance and offers several benefits over other clear aligners:
- Faster treatment time – the materials in other clear aligners can become loose after just a few days, meaning the force weakens and aligners are required to be worn for longer to get the desired result. SmartTrack material, on the other hand, is tighter fitting and places continuous corrective pressure on each tooth. By applying the right amount of force consistently, aligners can be changed weekly instead of fortnightly, and treatment can be two times faster.
- Less painful approach/procedure – when other aligners lose their strength, extra pressure is required to get the teeth to move. With SmartTrack material, however, aligners maintain a consistent force, so there is actually far less pressure required to move each tooth. This reduces a lot of the pain that can occur when teeth are moving.
- More comfortable fit – Invisalign’s SmartTrack material creates a more snug aligner that offers a superior fit around the teeth. The material is elastic and much more flexible, while still retaining its grip on teeth. The snug fit avoids the issues of rubbing that can occur with other brands.
- Suitable for complex cases – as the materials used in other aligners become loose after a few days, they aren’t as effective for patients with moderate or severe misalignment. Invisalign, however, is suitable for complex cases. What’s more, in 2017, the company introduced a new version of its aligner aimed specifically at moving the lower jaw forward to fix overbites. Invisalign is now able to treat overbites, underbites, crossbites and crowded teeth.
- Cost-effective – while you will probably notice that Invisalign isn’t the cheapest aligner at the outset, it is the most cost-effective. The SmartTrack material along with your personalised treatment plan will mean that you will achieve what you hope for, in a lot less time, giving you much better value for money.
Invisalign – Your Fast Track to a Healthy Smile
Having your teeth straightened no longer needs to be a lengthy and challenging process. Clear aligners have changed how we straighten teeth and Invisalign is leading the way. By investing in SmartTrack material, you will have a more comfortable and more successful treatment, and twice as fast as with any other aligner.
