Invisalign Candidacy: Who Is Eligible?

Who Is A Good Candidate for Invisalign Treatment, And Who Isn't?

Invisalign clear aligners  may offer more appealing and alluring perks to orthodontic patients, including (but not limited to):

  • More discretion, meaning a more cosmetically-appealing appearance
  • Removability, meaning no orthodontic-related dietary restrictions
  • Less maintenance, meaning less tedious cleaning
  • Less applied pressure, meaning less discomfort

It’s not hard to see why certain patients would be more attracted to these factors than the ones offered by traditional braces. The near-transparent design can illuminate your smile well, and you won’t have any appliance-related limitations to  impede you from eating well. Still, how do you know if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign aligners?

Determining that isn’t as straightforward as just being able to afford the slightly pricier Invisalign treatment cost. There is a myriad of factors that would make someone a good (or not so good) candidate for Invisalign treatment. Keep reading this comprehensive explainer to learn those factors.

What Makes A Good Invisalign Candidate?

what makes a good invisalign candidate

The following variables can make a patient a good candidate for Invisalign clear aligners:

  • Personal responsibility
  • Good oral hygiene discipline
  • Not smoking
  • Healthy gum tissue
  • Matured jaw

There’s a reason that most Invisalign clear aligner patients are adolescents and adults; this orthodontia doesn’t just demand dental maturity, but a heightened level of overall maturity. Even though you won’t have to worry about food debris getting caught in your appliance, you will still need to be diligent about cleaning their teeth, as well as your Invisalign aligners. That means making sure to:

  • Brush at least 2-3 times a day, for 2 minutes at a time
  • Floss, and for good measure, using a Waterpik or interdental brush
  • Have cleaning products at-home and on the go
  • Brush your aligners carefully
  • Soak your aligners using Invisalign Cleaning Crystals
  • Rinse and dry your trays before storage, to minimize bacteria buildup

Patients of all ages should exercise due diligence, responsibility, and refrain from bad habits. It’s common knowledge that smoking is an overall health hazard (the FDA has identified over 7,000 tobacco product chemicals linked to illness), but it can also stain your teeth, your trays, and subsequently disrupt your routine.

Likewise, if a teen or adult patient is constantly taking off their trays to snack, well over the allotted timeframe they should, then that can also be counterintuitive for their overall health and oral health treatment.

Granted, even someone with good discipline may be better suited for different treatments depending on their case; braces, and possibly, orthognathic jaw surgery, may be required for more complex malocclusions. Invisalign treatment is fine for basic misalignments, but not more complicated ones.

Who Is NOT An Invisalign Candidate?

example of gum disease

To reiterate some previous points, patients with poorer diets, tobacco cravings, and some other bad habits may not be ideal candidates for Invisalign treatment. Usually, most Invisalign patients will be required to wear their aligners for 22 hours a day, with those two free removal hours meant for eating, drinking, and cleaning.

A patient who would constantly remove their aligner trays for smoke breaks or snack breaks will NOT be a good Invisalign candidate. Beyond not practicing healthy habits and inconsistently following your treatment schedule, here are some other factors that would make you a poor Invisalign candidate:

  • Active gum disease (should be treated prior to Invisalign treatment)
  • Irresponsible storage and carelessness (characteristic of irresponsibility
  • Active cavity (should be treated prior to Invisalign treatment)
  • Severe oral issues that require more extensive treatment (not always a dealbreaker, but certainly can be)

 

The removability of Invisalign aligners may seem like it’s always an advantage over traditional fixed orthodontic appliances; in reality, it can be a double-edged sword if you aren’t careful. Failing to store your clear aligners effectively could easily cause them to be damaged, misplaced, stolen, or contaminated by external elements.

Additionally, Invisalign aligners aren’t strong enough to act as an impervious Kevlar vest for your teeth. While they can offer protection for mild cases of dental grinding and clenching at night, Invisalign trays will not last in the face of severe sleep bruxism .

The unconscious motions that occur can “eat” through the aligner material, damage the trays, and impede treatment progress. And just as severe bruxism isn’t conducive for Invisalign treatment, neither are severe malocclusions, for which alternative treatments are better suited. However, if you’re a younger patient with an underdeveloped palate, then that could potentially be fixable via a palatal expansion. Consult an experienced, licensed orthodontist to learn more.

Who Is A Candidate for Invisalign Express?

Who Is A Candidate for Invisalign Express

Expedited Invisalign treatments entail a maximum of 10 sets of aligners and can usually be completed in six months. It offers the same effective results as standard Invisalign aligners, just over a shorter timeframe! As it utilizes the same program, it entails the same comprehensive features, such as:

  • 3D iTero scanning and additional diagnostic imaging
  • In-office visits and follow-up appointments
  • SmartTrack aligner material and SmartForce accessories (if needed)
  • Complementary teeth whitening

To be an effective candidate for Invisalign Express, an experienced orthodontist must determine that your case is mild enough to complete in 10 tray sets or less. This means only minor spacing or crowding, and an experienced orthodontist will have the expertise needed to assess how minor (or major) your crowding and spacing are. For more elaborations regarding how this evaluation happens, refer to our Invisalign Express Guide.

This form of clear aligner treatment can be good for patients who only require simple cosmetic adjustments, or former orthodontic patients who’ve since seen their results slightly regress and relapse. Since it’s cosmetic, you’re probably less likely to receive insurance coverage for this particular treatment. Fortunately, it’s lower cost than full-time Invisalign treatment, and can be made more affordable with the help of low monthly payment plans.

How Do You Know If You Are A Good Candidate for Invisalign Treatment?

How Do You Know If You Are A Good Candidate for Invisalign Treatment

If you’ve assessed all of the above factoids and still don’t know whether or not you’re a good Invisalign candidate, their official  Smile Assessment Quiz  can help. But if you’re still unsure after all of that, there is only one sole, singular, and straightforward solution to your uncertainty: consulting a licensed, reputable, and reliable orthodontist!

A trusted orthodontic professional will be equipped with all the expertise, know-how, and talents necessary to pinpoint and discern the best solution for your occlusal issues. Often, they can make these discernments during the same day of your initial complimentary consultation! So, if you still harbor any doubts about your Invisalign candidacy potential, what are you waiting for?

Disclaimer

” Starts as low at $2800 “: All Diamond Braces final treatment plans are devised based on a review of x-rays and an in-person examination of the patient’s dentition performed by a licensed doctor. Plans discussed via virtual consultations and appointments are not final and will require an in-office visit and additional diagnostic records such as x rays or 3D scans before they are considered final.

” Starts as low at $2800 “: The cost associated with comprehensive orthodontic treatment with Diamond Braces are for terms up to 24 months. Extending a patient’s term due to poor compliance or other factors, such as case complexity and tooth movement variations, may result in additional fees.

” Lifetime Smile Guarantee “: Only Diamond Braces cases completed by the Practice and placed on retention are backed by our Lifetime Smile Maintenance Guarantee. Terms and conditions apply. Visit /lifetime-warranty/ for more details.

” 30% less than the national average “: Claim comes from calculations comparing an average treatment plan from Diamond Braces to the national average calculated by the American Dental Association’s Survey of Dental Fees.

“As low as $104 per month “: Monthly payments are calculated by dividing the patient’s final treatment price by a number of months. Prices may vary based on the patient’s age, case severity, treatment type, insurance coverage and more.

” 0 down”, “0% financing”, “flexible monthly payment plans “: Alternate financing options are only available to qualified applicants based on a financial review and available insurance coverage.

” Starts as low at $2800 “: Costs associated with Invisalign clear aligners for comprehensive and SMILIFY Expedited Invisalign treatment, including the full prescribed set of upper and lower aligners, are covered by the stated price for up to 24 months (for comprehensive) and up to 12 months (for SMILIFY) or until the originally prescribed term is completed.

” Up to 24 months “: Term lengths are calculated based on the patient’s medical status and may vary based on factors such as age, case severity, patient needs, and chief complaint.

” SMILIFY Expedited Invisalign Treatment “: SMILIFY Expedited Invisalign treatment is only available for qualified patients based on x-rays and medical examinations performed by a licensed doctor. Not all applicants may qualify.

” SMILIFY Expedited Invisalign Treatment “: Savings associated with SMILIFY Expedited Invisalign treatment cannot be combined with other promotions offered by Diamond Braces unless explicitly stated otherwise.