Invisalign® Comparison: Which Type Is Right for You?

You know you want to give Invisalign® clear aligners a try to correct your smile, but you’re not sure which type is the right choice. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the dental problems being fixed, such as the degree of teeth crowding and misalignment. For best results, our Hudsonville dentists can help pair you with what you need.

Here’s what you need to know about Invisalign and the most popular types.

How Invisalign Works

Despite featuring no metal brackets or wires, Invisalign functions much in the same way as traditional braces. For instance, the components of braces apply controlled pressure on the teeth to encourage their movement into a better position.

Invisalign clear aligners are worn over the top and bottom teeth and are also designed to gradually shift your teeth over time. This alternative form of orthodontic treatment is great for teens and adults alike who want to change the appearance of their smile without the “metal mouth” look.

Who Invisalign Suits Best

As mentioned above, Invisalign can be a good fit for teenage and adult patients, but a commitment to treatment is crucial. Because the aligners are removable, some may be tempted to take them out more than they should which can lead to progress delays.

Our dentists also recommend that patients interested in wearing clear aligners be diligent about cleaning them regularly in addition to daily toothbrushing and flossing. If ignored, your aligners can accumulate bacteria and possibly stain, thus ruining their nearly invisible appearance.

Types of Invisalign Treatment

Most people who hear about Invisalign only think there is one type, but just like regular metal braces, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for everyone. Each patient has different dental needs and issues that need to be personally addressed in a calculated way by our dentists.

After reviewing your specific situation and examining your mouth, our dentists will scan your teeth with our iTero digital scanner to help with the planning stage and eventual creation of your aligners. We’ll use the information gathered from the oral exam and digital scans to choose the right Invisalign type for you.

Invisalign Express

Invisalign Express is a great way to quickly fix mild tooth crowding or other issues that tend to be more minor. Your treatment with this type of Invisalign will involve our dentists providing you with about 10 sets of aligners and having you wear them for roughly 6 months to achieve ideal alignment.

Invisalign i7

Compared to Invisalign Express, Invisalign i7 is an even faster orthodontic solution which consists of 7 aligner sets, hence the name. This method is best for patients who have mild alignment problems and want to finish treatment quickly.

Invisalign Lite

If your smile needs more correction than what the Express option entails, our dentists may recommend Invisalign Lite to you instead. This option is still relatively quick but features 14 sets of aligners that patients are to wear over the course of 6 months or more.

Invisalign Teen

Designed for teens and young adult patients, this form of Invisalign works best with teeth that are still shifting. While the act of wearing the aligners is the same, Invisalign Teen can feature a helpful “Blue Dot Wear Indicator” on the aligners themselves that fade over time to let patients know when they should change into the next set.

Invisalign Full

Our dentists will recommend Invisalign Full if you have moderate to complex teeth issues that can still be corrected without traditional metal braces. This comprehensive form of treatment spans up to 18 months and aligners must be worn nearly full-time for desired results.

Discuss Your Smile Goals With Our Dentists

You deserve a beautiful, healthy smile to show off to friends, family, and co-workers. If you’d like to correct your teeth with a metal-free form of orthodontic treatment, our dentists in Hudsonville, MI, can introduce you to Invisalign. To discover the type that suits you best, call Hudsonville Dental at (616) 209-4024 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.