Are you interested in learning about the Invisalign pros and cons for older adults?
Invisalign is an alignment method that helps close gaps and straightens teeth. It’s an option that’s especially growing in popularity with adults. However, there are also some Invisalign downsides to be aware of before starting a treatment.
Scheduling a consultation with a trained orthodontist is the best way to know Invisalign drawbacks for your specific situation. But there are also many important things to know about Invisalign that can help you prepare for your consultation.
In this article, we’re looking at the pros and cons of Invisalign for adults. You’ll learn more about when to get Invisalign and receive an answer to, “Is Invisalign effective for adults?”
Continue reading to find out the positives and negatives of Invisalign as an adult.
Invisalign Pros and Cons for Older Adults
Invisalign is a powerful tooth straightening tool. But like most things in life, it has advantages and disadvantages.
Here are the seven most essential pros and cons of Invisalign for adults that you should know.
The Pros of Invisalign for Adults
1. Clear and Invisible
The transparency of Invisalign trays is one of the top reasons Invisalign reviews for older adults are so positive—other people can rarely tell you’re using it.
Traditional braces require an orthodontist to place metal brackets on your teeth permanently. These brackets are easily noticeable and don’t come out until your alignment is complete.
However, Invisalign uses clear, mouthguard-like trays that slip seamlessly over your teeth. The invisibility of Invisalign often makes adults more confident while at work or out in public.
2. Easily Removable
Do you want to know another pro for Invisalign versus braces for adults?
Invisalign trays are removable!
Invisalign’s removability means that you don’t need to stop eating certain foods during your treatment. You’ll need to take your trays out anytime you eat, but you won’t need to worry about avoiding specific foods.
The ability to remove trays also aids in oral health. Instead of having to brush and floss around metal brackets, you can simply:
- Remove your trays
- Brush and floss like normal
- Put your trays back in
Unlike traditional braces that stay in your mouth until treatment is over, you can remove your Invisalign trays when you need to.
3. Incredibly Effective
Adults looking into Invisalign often wonder, “Is Invisalign effective for adults?” The answer is yes!
Do you have small gaps between your teeth? Not a problem for Invisalign.
Do you have a slight overbite? Invisalign can fix that!
Are some of your teeth overcrowded? Let Invisalign create the right amount of space.
Invisalign can easily and quickly treat many of the most common alignment issues seen in adults.
4. No Age Limit
Another common question adults have regarding Invisalign is, “How old is too old for Invisalign?”
A significant advantage of Invisalign is that there’s no upper age limit. Whether you’re in your early or late adult years, you can qualify for Invisalign.
There are some limitations to Invisalign (more on that in the next section), but age itself isn’t a barrier to an Invisalign treatment. Anyone between the ages of 8 and 88 (or older!) can get a straighter smile with Invisalign.
The Cons of Invisalign for Adults
1. Requires a High Level of Commitment
One of the most important things to know about Invisalign is that you need to be committed to your treatment.
For example, you should wear your Invisalign trays for 20-22 hours each day for best results. The busyness of life or general forgetfulness can cause people to forget to wear their trays regularly. But not wearing your trays for the recommended time can significantly slow down your treatment. So, removability is a double-edged sword—it allows for flexibility in your diet, but can slow down your treatment.
Additionally, it’s essential to always take your trays out when eating any type of food. Eating food without removing your trays can damage your trays. Replacing a damaged tray means incurring additional costs.
Individuals who listen to their orthodontists and follow their recommendations will have a better, more effective treatment.
2. Requires Additional Oral Hygiene
Another one of Invisalign’s downsides is that it requires the wearer to practice good oral hygiene above what’s normally expected. An increased level of oral hygiene involves being health-conscious about your mouth and your Invisalign trays.
We mentioned above that you need to take your trays out before eating. Before you put your trays back in, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth (or at least rinse your mouth with water). If you put your tray in immediately after eating, it can trap food and other debris under the tray. This debris can speed up bacterial processes leading to an increased risk for tooth decay or gum disease.
You’ll also need to care for your Invisalign trays. The best Invisalign cleaning method is:
- Rinse your trays with water
- Gently brush your trays with a toothbrush
- Rinse off your trays again
You can also soak them in a denture cleaner for a short period. Regardless of the method used, you should plan to clean your trays every day.
3. Has Limitations
One of the last things to know before getting Invisalign is that it has limitations. We said that age isn’t a huge factor (and it isn’t), but overall oral health and alignment needs are.
Any orthodontic procedure, whether it’s traditional braces or Invisalign, requires healthy teeth and gums. If you have mild tooth decay or gum disease, you’ll need to get it under control before starting Invisalign. More severe oral health issues, like periodontal disease resulting in lost teeth, may keep you from treatment.
Additionally, there are some alignment issues that Invisalign can’t fix on its own. These issues usually include:
- A severely crooked tooth
- A severe overbite
- Large gaps in teeth
Sometimes, orthodontists can do what’s called a “hybrid” treatment. This treatment involves starting with an alignment tool other than Invisalign. Once the more serious problem is resolved, your orthodontist can switch you over to Invisalign. But sometimes, Invisalign is simply not the right tool at all.
However, if you have good oral health and no serious alignment issues, Invisalign could be the perfect straightening solution for you!
Talk to One of the Top Invisalign Providers in Richmond
Invisalign is a tooth straightening alternative to traditional braces. It doesn’t require permanent brackets on your teeth, and it’s just as effective at aligning your teeth. Invisalign is also a viable option for many adults looking for a straighter smile later in life.
But there are some important things to know about Invisalign, as there are Invisalign pros and cons for older adults.
Some Invisalign pros include:
- It’s clear and nearly invisible
- You can remove Invisalign trays
- Invisalign is effective for adults
- There’s no age limit for Invisalign
A few of the Invisalign downsides are:
- You need to be committed to your treatment
- Invisalign requires good oral hygiene
- There are some limitations to Invisalign
You can read Invisalign reviews for older adults or research other things to know before getting Invisalign, but the best way to see if you should get Invisalign is to talk to an orthodontist.
At Bates Orthodontics in Richmond, VA, we pride ourselves on providing the highest quality service to our patients. We take the time to get to know you and your unique oral situation. Once we understand your needs, we share what treatments would be best for you. Our orthodontist is also a Diamond Invisalign Provider, putting him in the top 1% of all Invisalign providers in the nation.
Schedule your free consultation today to see if Invisalign is right for you!
