Invisalign

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is popular amongst young adults as an alternative to traditional braces. It was used to correct mild alignment issues at its inception but is now used to fix severe issues like overbite, crossbite, and overcrowding. Invisalign is a generally accepted orthodontic treatment around the world.

What Can Invisalign Fix?

You can fix different issues with Invisalign, from misalignment to gapped teeth and minor teeth rotation. Invisalign cannot be used for severely rotated or tipped teeth, and most dentists will advise patients to go for traditional braces in those cases.

Facts About Invisalign

Invisalign is acclaimed for its effectiveness, but while it is still a fantastic system, it isn’t as precise as it could be. Here are some facts about Invisalign you should know.

Invisalign braces are as painful and sometimes more uncomfortable than metal braces. They constantly apply pressure on the teeth as they gradually shift into place.
There are some complex orthodontic cases that aligners cannot effectively treat or correct, and most dentists will advise against this form of treatment.
You must wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. The effect of the treatment is greatly reduced when the aligners are not worn for the stated amount of time.
Invisalign aligners are replaced every two weeks. Complex movements necessitate 3 weeks of wear, while less complex movements necessitate 10 days.
You do not need a professional to adjust your Invisalign. Your Invisalign orthodontist may still ask you to come in to check on your progress while wearing the invisible aligners, but this happens much less frequently than with traditional braces.
Invisalign treatment takes as much time as traditional brace treatment
Over 1,000,000 patients have been treated with Invisalign worldwide.
Because Invisalign trays are removable, you can brush, eat and drink normally.
The force and timing of force application are both controlled by Invisalign braces.
Invisalign aligners are made of thermoplastic and resemble teeth-whitening trays.

Smile Direct Club

What Is Smile Direct Club?

Smile Direct Club is at the forefront of teledentistry, a relatively new concept. Smile Direct Club is a competitor of Invisalign and operates on a similar platform. Most of their business is done online, but they do have contracts with officially licensed orthodontic professionals. Customers sign up for treatment services, pay for them, and receive impression kits which they use and send back to the company, where dentists or orthodontists review the molds and send the customer an aligner.

What Can You Fix With Smile Direct Club?

Smile Direct Club can treat most orthodontic problems, light alignment, overcrowding, overbite and underbite. It also has a simple process to follow, from taking impressions to the use of the product.

Facts About Smile Direct Club

They make use of 3D technology. Smile Direct Club creates its teeth aligners with cutting-edge technology. Their aligners are created using 3D technology. This ensures that each aligner manufactured adheres to the exact specifications programmed into the computer that oversees the design for the 3D printer.
Smile Direct is based on the idea of saving customers time and money. Smile Direct Club was founded to provide a simple diagnostic and treatment plan for achieving a better smile with straight teeth without ever stepping foot inside a dental or orthodontic office. A state-licensed dental professional oversees each customer’s diagnostics and treatment plan. The aligners are mailed to customers who follow the prescribed plan and check in with photos regularly.
They provide various types of aligners and treatment plans. There are diverse treatment options for aligning the teeth, according to the official website of Smile Direct. They even have a new nighttime aligner that is only worn at night.
You don’t wear the aligners when you eat. Like Invisalign, the aligners are worn for about 22 hours per day. You can take them off when you eat, brush your teeth, and play sports. The aligners may be changed as your teeth adjust.
They offer a complimentary scan. When you visit one of their locations, you will receive a free smile scan. You must first make an appointment at one of their stores, which you can do online in just a few seconds. Then, simply attend your appointment, and the technicians will provide you with a free 3D scan of your smile. This is only the first step, but it gives them an idea of how to proceed.
Smile Direct Club is still a highly controversial venture. Some dentists still have reservations with Smile Direct Club. Some fear using this service will result in serious dental problems.

Comparison of Steps

Steps for Invisalign treatment:

Visit a dentist for a suitability assessment.
The dentist takes digital scans, customizes a treatment plan for you.
Custom aligners are created and delivered to the dentist.
Regular in-person visits with the dentist to track progress and change trays.

Steps for Smile Direct Club treatment:

Visit a SmileShop for a dental scan, or use a dentist-approved at-home kit to create a tooth mould.
Partake in Dentist-approved remote suitability assessment & custom treatment
Remote check-ins with the dentist regularly to monitor progress

Similarities Between Invisalign and Smile Direct Club

Retainers are required after completion of the treatment to avoid the teeth returning to their previous positions.
The form of treatment is not suitable for children.
They both work with the same principles of constantly applied force on teeth that need to be adjusted.
Smile Direct Club has collaborated with Align Technology in the past. Smile Direct Club purchased a 17 percent stake in Align Technology in 2016 and relied on them for clear aligner supply.

Our Specialty

Our West Windsor Orthodontics team is specialized in Invisalign and Invisalign Teen treatment. As a leading orthodontist in West Windsor, we are skilled in all types of orthodontic care. As a result, we utilize advanced treatment techniques using Invisalign. Don’t trust your smile to a direct-to-consumer orthodontic company. Trust orthodontists who have undergone the training to ensure the best possible outcomes.

How We Help

At West Windsor Orthodontics we know that every mouth is unique right down to individual teeth. As a result, no two treatment plans will be exactly the same. We go further than just assessing the condition of your mouth visually. We have this work down to a science. It is a good idea to avoid direct-to-consumer orthodontics. Especially plans that rely solely on your submission of pictures or scanned images of teeth.

It is a much better plan to go in person and get an actual opinion from a professional. You never know what’s going on in your mouth until you get this valuable opinion. There may be more going on deeper than the surface of teeth. Unresolved problems can create further issues down the road and cause you more time in an orthodontist’s chair. Therefore you might be spending more money to fix further issues caused by improper alignment.

At Dr. Nicozisis’s West Windsors Orthodontics, we can help you decide on the best treatment plan. Contact us at (609) 757 8819 to book an appointment today.

Invisalign or Smile Direct Club