Invisalighn or fixed braces, advice please. Post Reply

[Freds Gang]

Becoming a bit obsessed with my teeth and wondering whether to get braces. 

If I go ahead I think that I would prefer to get the clear Invisalign style but wondering if they work as well or as quickly as train tracks? If anyone has had invisalign please could they let me know if they did the trick and if they were happy with them. Many thanks. 

[Reb27]

Hi there,

What are you trying to fix?

I had gaps in my teeth that were getting worse, so did invisalign to close the gaps. Only took a few months (I was very committed to wearing them as much as possible), but results are fantastic.

After the treatment was completed, I have fixed retainers on them at the front, and wear my plastic retainers every night.

Worth doing. I think it takes longer if you are fixing over crowded, crooked teeth. But you probably wouldn't have to wear the retainers in that instance.

I am in my early 50s, so invisalign a good option as a quick fix. Might be worth weighing up against more traditional method if you're younger? Speak to a good dentist.

Good luck ! x

[Freds Gang]

Thanks so much for the reply Reb27. Just trying to fix some movement, I think that they are starting to look a bit crooked and I feel that this is ageing. Thought that I would try to fix before it got too serious.

[Fluff27]

You won't regret it.

Just make sure you go with a dentist, not an invisalign only company. It may cost a bit more, but you will see the difference.

Best wishes x

[chabela007]

I had invisalign at Prodenta and it was great. Initially they said it was for 6 months and ended up having them for 9. In my case it was to make space for an implant and crowns. If it’s for a short period braces may be worth it as they’re also cheaper but my memories from when I was 14 year old with braces are not great: food getting stuck, painful when adjusted etc. For longer term treatments Invisalign is great as you can remove them whenever you need to and you can eat without them.

[AbbevilleMummy]

We just had an orthodontist consultation for my daughter and discussed the pros and cons of Invisalign vs train tracks.

We were told that as she has crooked teeth, Invisalign would take longer as it’s not as efficient for straightening and turning teeth. You also had to wear them for around 22 hours a day. Just take them out for eating and brushing and put them straight back in.

Train tracks would be around 6 months quicker.

It would be different if closing gaps as Invisalign is very good at closing gaps where teeth are already straight.

Invisalign was also about £1k more expensive.

[Hattiethedog]

I also had them done at Prodenta. Quite complex problems and took well over a year. I think might have been quite a bit quicker with conventional braces. I was very diligent at only taking them out to eat, and using the chewie rubber blocks, which help to move the teeth. They drive other people nuts, as they are quite loud. The outcome has been fine. I would be wary of using the mail order ‘do it yourself’ ones. Cheaper but can’t see how it works. I have wires stuck behind my front teeth to stop them returning to their original position.

[tomsmum2008]

Both husband and teenage son has had them very successfully. 
50+ year old Husband had his crooked teeth fixed at a private dentist in Earlsfield and son had an overbite corrected at a private orthodontist as the dentist didn't do kids.

Neither of them had any complaints and had no problems keeping them in 22 hours a day - just became second nature.  They did take longer to correct than the metal ones, and was more expensive - but for aesthetics this was a great option! 

Their teeth look great now.
I would recommend an untrasonic cleaner for the retainers, if you get the non-fixed retainers.