Since 2000, Invisalign teeth aligners have become extremely popular for those that want to realign their teeth but don’t want to have a mouthful of ugly metal for a smile. For those that qualify, Invisalign is the product of choice for those wanting a healthy smile.

Out of all the countries in the world, America is the most preoccupied with having a great smile and a mouthful of shiny white teeth. Cosmetic dentistry and the use of clear orthodontics have driven the business aspect of the field of dentistry into a billion dollar industry that grows bigger each year.

The concept of invisible braces to realign teeth appeals to adults and teens that want to fix their teeth but don’t want the stigma and harassment that can go along with braces. Invisalign ends these perceptions and helps build the self-esteem that goes along with a healthy smile.

Invisalign was first introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies and it consists of using invisible plastic aligners that are custom made to fit over the teeth and move your teeth gradually back into a straighter, more balanced position. These aligners are less than one millimeter thick but are strong enough to help shape your teeth in the same way as traditional braces.

Using three dimensional impressions of your teeth and projected models of where they should be, Invisalign develops a series of incrementally thicker aligners that are used over a period of time to straighten your teeth. Over the course of treatment, you could go through over twenty different aligners that need to stay in your mouth about twenty hours a day to be effective. The great thing about these aligners is that they can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and the all important one, kissing.

The only disadvantage to Invisalign is that only about 15% of those who have misaligned teeth can use this product. It is designed to handle minor misalignments and is not for people who have major issues with their teeth.

Some of the reasons you can’t use Invisalign are for crowding and spacing issues that are greater than five millimeters, teeth that are severely chipped and if you are missing multiple teeth from the upper and lower sets.

A visit to your dentist or orthodontist will let you know if you qualify for Invisalign treatment.

For those that can stick to the daily routine of wearing the aligners, then Invisalign treatment might be for you.

Invisalign can treat the following mild dental problems:

If you have crowding that is below five millimeters, then Invisalign might be able to correct this issue. Also, it will correct your teeth if you have spacing issues below five millimeters.

Also, if you have biting issues like an overbite or a crossbite then this product can help correct these issues and other minor bite irregularities.

If you had traditional braces in the past and just need a readjustment, Invisalign can help without having to go through the pain of getting braces again.

Remember, Invisalign treatment is not for everyone. You need to see an orthodontic specialist to determine if clear aligners are appropriate.

Teens face the most abuse from wearing braces. If you ever had braces as a child, you know how your peers judge you. Being judged just because you are trying to fix your teeth can be a very traumatic experience in a teen’s life. But now most teens don’t have to go through this ordeal thanks to Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign Teen is personally designed for issues with teenage teeth and has been approved by the FDA to be specifically used for young adults.

How Invisalign Teen differs from regular aligners is that they have features designed to not only work with a teen’s growing teeth but also to respond to a teen’s habit of not being completely responsible for maintaining their aligners while they lead the active lifestyle of just being a young adult.

Invisalign Teen has new features like an indicator to let them know when they need to change their aligner. Also, they have tabs to allow the growth of molars and other features that address the teen’s changing mouth.

But the best feature will always be the ability to remove them for that all important first kiss.

The cost for Invisalign aligners is comparable to the getting regular braces and can run between $3000 to $5000 dollars. This cost can also vary by the degree of necessary work and the length of time the correction will take.

Most dentists offer a payment plan to cover the cost of treatment over the length of time it takes for the Invisalign aligners to do the work. Also, some dental insurance plans cover the cost of the procedure.

It is important to note that not all dentists are certified in Invisalign procedures. Align Technologies trains each dentist and they have to be certified in the use of their equipment. Either a dentist or orthodontist can become certified in Invisalign procedures.

You can always call 1-800-DENTIST to find a specialist in your area.

Here are some reviews for Invisalign gathered around the Internet.

“I was supposed to only have 15 aligners. After 24, my teeth are still not straight! Now, the dentist want to file my front teeth since they did not move correctly.”

Cost: $4000

“The orthodontist I selected spent a long time with me and didn't charge for the consult. She showed me different aspects of my teeth that would be suited or that might be problematic for Invisalign. It was clear that she had a lot of experience and she was patient and caring about my concerns. Also, she is going on vacation and gave me her email address. I think this is all very important for concerns about facial appearance: expertise, patience, empathy.”

Cost: $10,000

“I have had braces twice and lost my retainer. My teeth crowd quickly and my front teeth were pushed out a bit and I was uncomfortable with my smile. I only needed a minor readjustment resulting in only 8 trays (16 weeks).”

Cost: $1500

“Just finished 8 months of Invisalign, now with retainers. Went to superb Harley Street clinic in London, only had pain once, they fitted superbly, only needed one button, and now have straight non crowded teeth.”

Cost: $3000

The simple fact is that Invisalign is not for everyone who wants the treatment. It is only designed for minor realigning and less than 15% of those who seek out clear aligners qualify.

The other 85% either have to live with a messed-up smile or have to go the traditional route of seeing an orthodontist for braces. The good news is that braces have developed over the years and are not the harsh mouth-construction-sites of the past. Newer wire-and-bracket braces are less visible and can correct misaligned teeth at much faster rates than in the past.

Again, only a dentist or orthodontic specialist can make this decision.

Below I have included a video that explains more about Invisalign teeth aligners to help you understand what this popular product does.