I’ve Been Told I Can’t Have Invisalign. What do I Do Now?

I’ve Been Told I Can’t Have Invisalign. What do I Do Now?
Roy Abrahams
28, Nov 2019

Invisalign is a great solution for straightening teeth and has many advantages for patients. The name “Invisalign” has become synonymous with invisible braces in the same way Hoover is with carpet cleaning. So, If you’ve been told you’re not suitable for treatment using the Invisalign system you may well be disappointed but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up hope of having your dream smile. Here’s 5 reasons why:

Invisalign is a means to an end

As an Orthodontic practice, we like to use the very best available equipment to deliver the best job for all our patients. But equipment is always as good as the person using it. So just because one dentist or Orthodontist has told you it is not suitable for you it doesn’t mean that you aren’t – it may mean that in their hands they can’t get Invisalign to work for you. A second opinion with a more experienced user may give you a different answer. Also a more experienced user may be able to add additional tooth straightening methods to your treatment to make Invisalign more effective for your individual case.

Not all Invisalign options are available to a dentists

Invisalign have opened up their product to new non-specialist users in recent years but restrict the range of treatment options available. Only more experienced users, like us at Rickmansworth Orthodontics, are allowed to treat the more challenging cases. So if the person you are seeing is not a specialist they may not be able to offer you Invisalign if your treatment requires more advanced orthodontics. It’s worth checking on the Invisalign website doctor’s locator which lists providerst that are specialist orthodontists or dentists.

Check your orthodontist or dentist is using Invisalign

As mentioned earlier, Invisalign has strong brand values but unfortunately that means some clinicians are claiming to use Invisalign when, in fact, they’re  using another aligner system. This means patients could end up with less than optimum outcomes because they’ve been treated with a less advanced and inferior clear aligner orthodontic system. It’s worth using the Invisalign Doctor Locator if you’re unsure if you’re being offered Invisalign.  Search for them on the website – if they don’t show on the site they may not be a registered user, so what they offer may not be Invisalign.

Invisalign is always evolving

Don’t give up if Invisalign won’t be suitable for you right now – the system is developing all the time and some options not currently available to us may be in the future. If you’re really determined to have your teeth straightened and Invisalign is the only way then there will be a way to make it work.

There are many other brace options available to you

If aesthetics is the most important thing for you during your tooth straightening then you could consider either a clear ceramic brace or even braces fitted on the inner surface of the teeth (Lingual). So no to Invisalign doesn’t have to mean no to tooth straightening altogether. You should always be offered a range of options for your treatment and know the pros and cons of each type of treatment in order to make your decision. If Invisalign really isn’t an option, there will be an alternative that is.

For more information please call Rickmansworth Orthodontics on 01923 721156 or
email mail@royabrahams.co.uk