Invisalign vs Fixed braces experiences.

[kkelly82]

Hi everyone. I’m 40 and have been considering getting braces to fix overcrowding for some time now. I’d like to hear people’s experiences of the good, bad & ugly of both treatments. My concern is not being able to sleep well with either brace in my mouth.

I have so far seen two dentist but don’t think I’ll be having the treatment with either of them. From what I’ve read since I’m now considering booking an appointment with an orthodontist instead. Would anyone else out there agree that it’s better to receive this sort of treatment with an orthodontist?

Finally, bit of a long shot I know, but if anyone has received this treatment at a dental surgery in Nottinghamshire and would recommend it, I’d really like to know.

TIA

I'm looking at Invisalign too, my teeth are straight but its to correct my bite and make my top teeth more visible.
Has anyone done it for similar

Dentist here. Go to an orthodontist every time. They do an extra degree in the subject. A lot of Invisalign providers have done a two day course.

If something goes wrong with Invisalign the dentist can't fix it easily, but an orthodontist can stick some brackets on and move a tooth more easily.

In addition, I work closely with some orthodontists, who tell me that a large proportion of their job is correcting Invisalign gone wrong in the hands of inexperienced practitioners.

Another satisfied Invisalign person here - via an orthodontist. I did Invisalign "Lite" which basically means you get a set number of trays, but you can't add more without paying. My teeth were an overbite and overcrowded so that one of my front teeth was pushing forwards making me think of some weird old crone witchy tooth, and making it tricky to eat - I couldn't bite into things like a pizza slice. For the perfect result they wanted to take teeth out, even mentioned breaking my jaw, and fixed braces. I didn't want perfection though, I just wanted to straighten them out and make it easier to bite and tear things.

Invisalign worked a treat - wasn't too much of a hardship, could easily exercise and ride a motorbike wearing them, found it easy to sleep in them. Occasionally tricky taking them out - there's a cheap plastic tool you can buy on Amazon to remove them. Soft toothbrush and washing up liquid to clean them, and RetainerBrite tablet things if you want to soak them. You also get used to quickly popping them out subtly in public when you want to eat something!

@ovenproof that’s really interesting to hear that from someone in the profession - thank you. I contacted one orthodontist yesterday and I was told that I would see an orthodontist for my first appointment and thereafter I’d see an orthodontist therapist rather than the actual orthodontist. Does that sound like standard practice to you?

@whiskeyfoxtrotcharlie Thank you for pitting together such a detailed response. I suspect that at first I’ll find it all rather uncomfortable and will have to adjust to sleeping in the aligners but it’s good to know that after a while you got use to them. Also interesting to hear that you opted to use an orthodontist. Can I ask, did you see the orthodontist every time you had an appointment? There’s an orthodontist close to where I live who online is very highly reviewed but when I called them they said the first appointment would be with the orthodontist and thereafter all appointments would be with an orthodontic therapist.

My dentist referred me to a specialist orthodontist. She explained that I could just get Invisalign from a dentist who has done a two day course but due to severe gum and bone recession I need to see a specialist to see if it's even possible. I have an appointment in two weeks and I'm keeping an open mind. I'd always rather see a specialist as your bone and gyms can get so easily damaged and causes problems down the line.

Had fixed braces when I was 18 - very sore for the first few days and each time after having them tightened. Very easy to get food stuck in them, wires often cut into my gums which was v uncomfortable. Wore my retainer but not for long enough & bottom teeth now slightly wonky. Considering Invisalign after sisters had it with incredible results. I think somewhere in Swadlincote but appreciate it might be far to travel.

I’m coming to the end of my fixed braces and wish I’d gone with Invisalign. I have up to 5 mouth ulcers at any time with my braces as the brackets are rubbing against my teeth. I’m self conscious smiling as my ceramic braces have become yellow over time and I can’t clean them, and lastly eating with them is horrific, I can’t eat in company I don’t know well as I feel like a swamp monster with bits of food hanging from my teeth. Disgusting.

Go with Invisalign, 100%.

If you do have fixed braces, you may not be suitable for Invisalign, a water flosser is a must for cleaning teeth properly after eating

I see the orthodontist every time I have an appointment. The process is expensive and I feel that part of that is paying for one-to-one time with her.

@ovenproof that’s really interesting to hear that from someone in the profession - thank you. I contacted one orthodontist yesterday and I was told that I would see an orthodontist for my first appointment and thereafter I’d see an orthodontist therapist rather than the actual orthodontist. Does that sound like standard practice to you?

Seems to be standard now. My own son is going through the process at present and he mostly sees a therapist. Occasionally the orthodontist checks as well.

Invisalign (if suitable) with an orthodontist is your best bet. The check-ups by an orthodontic therapist, rather than the orthodontist every time, is usual.

Oh. I've just been quoted 4K and having them fixed in a few weeks.
My orthodontist thinks they will be best for me. Do you have any tips or anything you can suggest to keep the porcelain bits whiter?

*ceramic

Avoid curry, tea and coffee. I think tea and coffee is what’s done it to me but I couldn’t give them up.

I went with them against my own judgment as my orthodontist said it would be quicker than Invisalign. Turns out it was longer - 11 months so far and he originally said it would be 6 months. Honestly it’s not too late to change your mind so you can eat and drink without stress. Every time I eat I’m feeling tense as I often accidentally bite my gums or tongue, so I have to chew very carefully.

I currently have fixed metal braces (train tracks) and have had them on for a year (I’m 42). £3k, private orthodontist outskirts of London. My issues wouldn’t have been fixed by Invisalign, otherwise I may have done that!

once you get used to them, braces are ok really. They do rub a bit at first (they give you wax to cover up the offending bits) and they do ache each time they’re tightened, but that’s not so bad now I’m closer to the end of my treatment in 3 months or so.

Invisalign is great for straightening teeth

fixed braces widen smil

Google the differences

Invisalign is great for straightening teeth

fixed braces widen smil

Google the differences

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Bad advice. Please ignore and speak a professional

I have fixed. I had a bit of trouble eating at first but no problems sleeping. It has been sore a couple of times when first tightened but mostly I don't notice them. For me, fixed braces were going to be quicker than Invisalign to fix overcrowding. I got quotes from dentists and orthodontists for all different types of braces but went with the orthodontist because they are specialists and it wasn't any more expensive than doing it through a dentist.

Basically just echoing what everyone else has said about Invisalign. Best money I ever spent (apart from the first week where I was sure I’d made the most expensive mistake of my life!).

I really want Invisalign too, how bad is it the first week? Is it no sleep at all territory? I suffer really badly with mouth ulcers so I'm used to not being able to sleep anyway with them!

Ovenproof

why would you even say that - if you Google some fixed braces literally do twice the job of invisalign

most companies offering invisalign are after a quick straightening - eg smile direct 6 months

braces - esp damon braces don’t just work on straightening, they change whole profile or your mouth and bite

Saying that perhaps I’m comparing invisalign via web dentists and not via an actual orthodontist

i can only speak about friends who’ve had invisalign via online companies

whilst all got straighter teeth they didn’t correct bite or get an overall better smile

@Watapalava I'm a dentist. My comments come from years of experience, research and education. Not Google.

I work with young dentists who are barely out of uni, do two day courses then declare themselves as "an Invisalign specialist " or "facial Aesthetics specialist " or what have you.
I know everyone has to start somewhere. But I've seen a lot and I am quite concerned to be honest.

I have a good friend who is an orthodontist who says a huge part of her job is correcting Invisalign gone wrong.

Everything but the most simplest cases, I would always refer to a qualified orthodontist.
Invisalign is a bit more limited in what it can do. The fancy computer generated images always look impressive. The reality is that there are times when it simply won't work as well as you expect. At least, an orthodontist can put a couple of brackets on and sort the problem in most cases. A dentist with an interest in Invisalign won't be allowed to do this.

Furthermore, I have seen cases where teeth have moved by Invisalign of similar methods, and it has caused misalignment of teeth resulting in periodontal problems ( bone loss and mobility).

All a bit concerning.

Fixed orthodontic braces can do more than Invisalign. There are other alternatives such as twin blocks, functional
Appliances, removal appliances, lingualkh placed brackets for starters. Lots of options, but decisions should definitely be made on a case by case basis.

I could go on. And I know I'm
Repeating myself. But one advice I can state with complete confidence, is that you should seek advice from a specialist and not rely on Google to tell you what is what.

@Watapalava just to add I think I agree with some of your comments. I'm just not a fan of Google for specific and specialist medical or dental advice